Andrew Brewer is the PGA Director of Instruction at Bayville Golf Club in Virginia Beach, Virginia.Andrew Brewer on the importance of using the two-ball putting drill to improve distance control:
The two-ball putting drill has helped with working on distance control. First, find a spot on the putting green that is 10 feet away. Ensure you are not putting towards a golf hole. Second, hit a putt towards the spot you chose. Third, putt a second ball from the same starting point and try to stop the ball within a one-foot circle of the first ball. Once golfers understand the drill, I have them rotate through a series of uphill and downhill putts ranging from 10-15 feet in length. Completing this drill can take 10-15 minutes depending on the individual’s skill level. This drill takes attention away from making the putt (because they aren’t putting towards a hole) and allows them to focus on their distance control. I’ve observed that distance control is better when they aren’t putting it towards a hole, as the hole can get in the way for them mentally. After they work on this drill, they start making more putts because the hole “gets in the way” as they’ve struck the putt on a line that has appropriate speed. This drill also allows me to assess their distance perception. When I tell them to pick a spot 10 feet from where they are standing, many students pick spots that aren’t close to 10 feet. This is valuable information that I can use during sessions. Also, this drill can help me make the point that their distance control can impact their green reading. I often notice that golfers falsely believe they are pulling or pushing putts when they are simply struggling to match the speed and line on their putts.
Andrew Brewer on the business impact of using the two-ball putting drill to improve distance control:
I often have this drill completed at the end of a full swing lesson. After we’ve achieved our goals on the range for the session, I’ll take them over to the green and walk them through this two-ball putting drill. Often, they struggle and realize that their putting isn’t as good as they thought it was. This provides me with a perfect opportunity to start a conversation about their putting and enables me to suggest that they schedule a putting session with me to improve their distance control. By bringing attention to a flaw in their golf game in a non-confrontational way, I’ve been able to book more putting sessions, which has positively impacted my overall lesson revenue.
If you would like to email the author of this Best Practice directly, please email abrewer@bayvillegolfclub.com.
