Best Way to Improve Middle-Distance Putting in Golf

Good middle-distance putting depends on many things. First, the ability to judge the pace of the green (i.e., how fast or slow the green is on that particular day). Then you must be able to see the line on which you want the putt to roll. This takes practice and experience. Most middle-distance putts curve, so you can no longer aim directly at the hole. Instead, you have to aim to one side or the other. You must therefore choose a suitable intermediate target at which to aim. As far as you are concerned, the ball should be struck straight at the intermediate target and, of course, at the correct speed. Gravity then takes over, pulling the ball downwards and if you have aimed it at the correct intermediate target and at the correct speed, downwards and into the hole.

Correct practice and use of drills will improve your ability to imagine a successful result, thus increasing ‘feel’ for both length and touch. Be sure to decide first the pace of the green and then the line. (As a beginner, you would do best to exaggerate the amount you think the ball will curve, because courage does not come easily without experience.) The ball must be given enough speed to reach the target. Do not change your mind about the distance or direction during the playing of the stroke – just strike the ball as you have decided during your practice swings. Keep still until the ball is well on its way.

Remember, the key words for the medium putt are:

• pace
• line
• amount of movement

First, gauge the pace of the green, then choose your line, and, with a firmly established intermediate target in your mind, concentrate only on the length of the putting movement.

Drills for the medium putt

• 3×3 bolls: usual routine. Strike and, without looking up, tell yourself immediately where the ball is in relation to the hole (e.g., short left, long right, centre short, in the hole).
• 3×3 balls: usual routine, but after set-up and alignment, look at the target while making the movement and striking the ball.

• 3×3 balls: usual routine. Strike the first ball just past the hole, the second ball just short, and the third the right distance.

These drills will enhance success considerably by increasing your ability to use imagination and by giving you that all-important ‘feeling’ for how long the ball will travel for the various lengths of swing.