Become automatic from 3 feet with this calibration drill

If there’s one place every golfer should make a putt, it is within three meters. There is a reason why professionals make up more than 99 percent of them; these must be almost fictions.

But ask most amateur golfers where they face the most anxiety on the putting surface, and there’s a good chance they’ll (reluctantly) admit it’s within this short distance. So what gives?

Whether lack of focus, weak green readingin a hurry or just mishitting, 3 foot shots give average Joes like you and me. But to take shots off the scorecard, it’s imperative to call it from this distance.

Here is a sad admission: I’m very much a three pretty chronicler. It hurts the most at the end of a round when I hit myself as I see so many unnecessary hits piled up. But when you can’t hit 3-footers to save shots, it will be the difference between hitting shots in the low 80s versus the high 80s.

During a recent visit with GOLF Top 100 Teachers Jamie Mulligan, I mentioned my placement issues. While working with former LPGA player Veronica FelibertMulligan walked me through a calibration exercise that might help — and the video above can show you how it works.

“The first thing we do is get the (three) tees that are square against the front of the hole, which should be in a parallel line that perfectly bisects the target line,” explains Mulligan. The following video shows how the training is organized.

In addition to the spikes on the ground, Mulligan has Felibert use a setting mirror – a good training aid for many Tour players — to help line up the free throw. He also creates a spiked gate sticking out of the mirror for the ball to go through, as well as a Sharpie line to further emphasize the starting line.

The key to this drill is to line everything up in unison on the three-foot shot, making sure to build a consistent set-up and shot. By doing this—and practicing this setup over and over—it will feel natural during your next round.

“We’re trying to get our players to bisect the target line, having their eye line, shoulders, arms, hands and feet perfectly on the ball,” says Mulligan. “When players calibrate like that every day, (you can have more success) when you go out on the golf course and have breaks or different putt lengths.”

As Felibert sets up a three-legged shot, Mulligan kneels behind her to make sure all her key positions are lined up just right.

“Her putter line is straight on the (plate placement) line, the Sharpie line is straight toward the hole, all of her (body) lines are perfectly square, and her eye line looks right at the ball.” , he says.

For those golfers who don’t have a putting mirror, Mulligan suggests getting rid of the tips and just using a putter or putter to calibrate the body and ball. This allows you to develop the same sensations.

So when you need more consistency in three-foot shots, start by using this calibration drill during practice. This will help ensure that your body, eyes, shot and ball are in perfect alignment, giving you the best chance of sinking those important shots.

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Nick Dimengo

Editor of Golf.com