Putting Alignment Drills You Can Do at Home

Improve your putting alignment with three effective drills using a yardstick or mirror at home. Perfect for honing your short game.

By Marcus Bell, PGA Teaching Professional 2026-08-01

To improve your putting alignment at home, you can use simple tools like a yardstick or a mirror. These tools help you evaluate and refine your stroke, ensuring your putter face is correctly aligned and your head is in the right position. Practicing these drills regularly will enhance your short game performance.

How to Use a Yardstick for Putting Alignment

A yardstick is an excellent tool for checking your alignment. Place the yardstick on the floor and line up your ball and putter along it. This setup helps ensure your putter face is square at impact and your stroke follows a straight path.

Drill Steps

1. Place a ball at one end of the yardstick.
2. Align your putter face square to the yardstick.
3. Make several putts, aiming to keep the ball on the yardstick.
4. Observe any deviations and adjust your stroke accordingly.

Practicing this drill daily can improve your ability to start putts on your intended line. Aim for 50 putts each session, focusing on maintaining a square face and consistent stroke. Increase the difficulty by trying to keep the ball on the yardstick for the entire length without veering off.

Advanced Yardstick Drill

1. Set up three balls along the yardstick, each a foot apart.
2. Start from the closest ball and progress to the farthest, making sure each putt stays on the yardstick.
3. Repeat this sequence five times.
4. Challenge yourself by reducing the distance between the balls to increase precision.

Using a Mirror for Head and Eye Position

A mirror can be a useful tool for checking your head and eye position. Position the mirror on the ground in front of you, and use it to ensure your eyes are directly over the ball.

Drill Steps

1. Place the mirror on the floor and stand over it.
2. Position the ball in front of the mirror so you can see your reflection.
3. Adjust your stance until your eyes are directly over the ball.
4. Practice putting while maintaining this position.

This drill helps you maintain a consistent head position, crucial for accurate putting. Perform 30 putts focusing on keeping your eyes steady over the ball. Use the mirror to check that your head remains still throughout your stroke.

Mirror Drill Variations

1. Use a smaller mirror to focus on just your eyes, ensuring they remain level.
2. Practice putts with your eyes closed to build trust in your alignment, then open them to check your position in the mirror.
3. Perform 20 putts with a deliberate pause at the top of your backswing, checking your head position in the mirror before completing the stroke.

Combining Drills for Maximum Effect

Integrate the yardstick and mirror drills for comprehensive alignment practice. Start with the yardstick to ensure your stroke path is straight, then use the mirror to check your eye alignment. This combination reinforces both mechanical and visual alignment, crucial for consistent putting.

Combined Drill Routine

1. Begin with 20 putts using the yardstick to establish a straight path.
2. Switch to the mirror drill for 20 putts, focusing on head and eye position.
3. Finish with 10 putts using both tools simultaneously to integrate skills.

Combining these drills helps reinforce proper alignment and stroke mechanics, contributing to lower scores. For more short game tips, check out our post on mastering key short game shots.

Setting Up a Consistent Practice Routine

Consistency is key in golf. Set aside time each day to practice these drills at home. A routine helps build muscle memory and increases confidence on the course.

Sample Practice Schedule

• Monday to Friday: 15 minutes each day alternating between yardstick and mirror drills.
• Saturday: Combine both drills for a 30-minute session.
• Sunday: Rest or review progress, adjusting drills as needed.

Track your progress by noting any improvements in your putting performance during rounds. Adjust your practice routine based on which areas need more focus.

How Long Will It Take to See Results?

With regular practice, you might see improvements within a few weeks. The key is repetition and focus on alignment. Most amateurs find that spending even 10 minutes per day on these drills can lead to noticeable changes in their putting accuracy.

Tracking Progress

Keep a journal to document your practice sessions and any changes in your putting performance. Assess your progress each month to determine if adjustments to your routine are necessary. Use your journal to track specific metrics like the number of putts per round to quantify improvement.

For more drills that can be practiced at home, read our post on simple putting alignment drills.

Why Alignment Matters in the Short Game

Proper alignment is crucial for success in the short game. Misalignment can lead to missed putts and higher scores. Ensuring your putter face is square and your stroke is straight helps in hitting putts with confidence.

Improving your alignment will make you more consistent on the greens, which is essential for lowering your scores. Explore our post on the most important short game shots to practice for more insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to practice putting alignment at home?

Using a yardstick or mirror at home can effectively improve your putting alignment. These tools help ensure your putter face is square and your eyes are correctly positioned over the ball.

How often should I practice putting alignment drills?

For best results, practice these drills daily. Consistency is key to building muscle memory and improving your putting accuracy over time.

Can using a yardstick really improve my putting?

Yes, a yardstick is a simple yet effective tool for checking your putter alignment and stroke path. It helps ensure your putts start on the intended line.

Why is head position important in putting?

Head position affects your ability to see the line correctly. Ensuring your eyes are over the ball helps in making accurate putts by providing a consistent view of the target line.

What other short game skills should I practice?

Aside from putting, focus on chipping and pitching. These are key components of the short game that can significantly impact your overall score. Check out our post on short game shots to practice for more tips.

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