Speed Control Putting

                                               

Mastering Speed Control in Putting

Previously, I’ve talked about the three main principles of putting: speed, direction, and green reading. Every effective practice session should develop these areas.

Of the three, speed control is often the most neglected—especially when players encounter a new course. Many golfers struggle to adapt, leading to frustrating rounds.

Let’s break down how you can train speed control effectively, covering both short and long putts, strike quality, rhythm, and visualization techniques.
Speed Control: The Key to Better Putting

Many golfers assume speed is only critical for long putts, but it’s just as vital for short putts. Matching the break with the correct speed is the difference between holing a putt or missing on the high or low side.
Short Putt Drills

🔹 3-Speed Challenge
Find a 6-foot putt with a decent amount of break. Try holing it at:
1️⃣ Deadweight (just drops in)
2️⃣ Medium pace (finishing a foot past the hole)
3️⃣ Firm pace (minimizing break)


🔹 Progressive Box Drill - 6ft - 10ft

Set up a 1.5-yard box using tees. Starting from 6 feet progressively move back.

Each putt must land inside the box. The catch: every new putt must go past the previous one without leaving the box.

This drill sharpens touch and feel on those makable putts. It is often overlooked in shorter more makable putts, it is imperative that you can marry your speed up with the break line you chose. It’s even better when played as a competitive game with a friend.

Long Putt Drills

🔹 Box Challenge for Lag Putting
Using the same tee box setup, roll five putts from different locations, focusing on longer distances. Move around the green to simulate different slopes and speeds.

🔹 Putt to the Edge of the Green
Instead of aiming for a hole, putt toward the edge of the green and try to get the ball to rest exactly at the fringe. This eliminates overthinking line and break and develops pure speed control.

This was one of my favorite drills as a player—especially since I wasn’t allowed to putt to holes before a round. It forces you to react to green speed naturally.
Strike: The Hidden Key to Speed Control

Poor speed control isn’t always a misjudgment—it often comes from poor strike quality. If you’re struggling with distance control, you might need to analyze your stroke mechanics.

🔹 Tiger Woods Tee Drill

Place two tees just wider than your putter head.
Stroke putts without hitting the tees to improve centered contact.

🔹 Find Your Sweet Spot

Hold your putter lightly between two fingers and tap the head from toe to center.
The true sweet spot is where the head moves back without twisting—this may not always align with the putter’s alignment lines.
Mark it with a Sharpie and practice striking putts from that exact spot.

🔹 Ball Position Check

Drop a ball from your sternum and mark the spot.
Position the back of your ball about 1 inch ahead of this mark.
This ensures consistent launch conditions.
Head Movement & Rhythm: Staying Smooth

🔹 Minimize Head Movement

Excessive head movement can cause off-center strikes, leading to inconsistent distance control.
Focus on keeping your head steady until after impact.


🔹 Maintain a Consistent Putting Tempo
A few years ago, I attended a training session with Phil Kenyon, one of the world’s top putting coaches. One key takeaway:

⏳ The best putters maintain the same rhythm for every putt—whether it's 3 feet or 30 feet.

A metronome is a great tool for training rhythm. Start the metronome off at 90BPM and either make it slower or faster. Phil developed a visual and auditory training aid where players follow a light or sound cue for stroke timing.
Many top putters slightly decelerate through impact—contrary to the common advice of "accelerating through the ball."

One big issue I see every day on long putts, is players not taking a long enough backstroke. The stroke becomes short and fast making speed control difficult. 

Allow a little "play" in the wrists back and through, it can really help with rhythm and also make you less wooden or robotic looking. Think about how you would roll a ball across the green, your wrists would flex and extend.

Visualization: The Secret Weapon of Great Putters

I’ve saved this for last, but in reality, it should come first. The best putters see the putt before they hit it.


Key Visualization Tips:
🎯 Focus on the end result—the ball rolling along your intended line at the right speed.
👀 Avoid standing over the ball too long after finalizing your read—this disrupts the image in your mind.
🧠 When your speed is off, you’re likely too internally focused—try shifting your focus externally (hole, target, speed).


Switching from Prefrontal Cortex to Cerebellum

During the green-reading process, your prefrontal cortex (thinking brain) is active. But when it's time to putt, you must shift to the cerebellum (subconscious control).

🟢 Practice deep breathing and visualization exercises to quiet your mind before putting.
🟢 Once you’ve seen the line and feel ready, trust your instincts and stroke the putt freely.

Final Thoughts

Speed control is a skill, not a guess. By developing a structured practice routine, improving strike consistency, refining rhythm, and mastering visualization, you’ll start owning your speed on the greens.

Now it’s your turn! Do you have a favorite speed control drill? Drop it in the comments! ⛳🔥