DRILL OVERVIEW · PUTTING CARD 22

Breaking Putts: Pick Your High Point

Your drill at a glance

PuttingDrill category
Match aim to paceBenefit
18 breaking puttsPractice format
Points / 18Practice record
Putter + ballEquipment
Breaking Putts: read both sides, choose the high point, match the pace and score finishes within one putter length over 18 attempts.

This is Putting card twenty-two, Breaking Putts: Pick Your High Point, in the Golf Practice Made Fun App.

Give your breaking putt a clear point to work towards. Read it from both sides, picture the curve and choose its high point. Putt to that point at your intended pace, then let the slope feed the ball towards the hole.

Play 18 attempts. Score one point whenever the ball finishes within one putter length of the hole, and record your total out of 18.

Jump to read both sides, match the pace or score your round.

Watch the breaking-putt lesson.

David Armitage, in this GOLF.com lesson, demonstrates choosing an apex, visualising the putt and committing to that point at your chosen pace.

Watch on YouTube

Step 1. Read both sides.

Step 1: read the breaking putt from both sides and choose the high point of its curve.
ActionWhat to do
Choose a breaking puttFind a clear practice putt where you can see the slope affecting the ball’s route.
Look from both sidesRead from behind the ball and from the far side of the hole. Notice the direction of the slope and whether the putt runs uphill or downhill.
Picture the curveImagine the ball’s route and how it will feed towards the hole.
Choose the high pointPick the point on the high side of that imagined curve that you will use as your focus.

Make the read before you settle into your stance. A clear picture gives you a plan to follow.

Step 2. Match the pace.

Step 2: putt to the chosen high point at the intended pace, then pause and reset.
ActionWhat to do
Choose the pacePicture how firmly the ball needs to roll to follow your intended route.
Commit to your pointKeep the chosen high point clear in your mind as you set the putter face and take your stance.
Make the puttPutt to that point at the intended pace. Let the slope provide the turn.
Pause and reviewWatch where the ball finishes. Check your line and pace before preparing for the next attempt.

Your read and pace belong together. Use each finish as feedback, then make a considered decision for the next putt. No need for a committee meeting over every blade of grass.

Step 3. Score 18 putts.

Step 3: score one point for each finish within one putter length of the hole and record a total out of 18.
Result or actionWhat to record
Within one putter lengthScore 1 point when the ball finishes within one putter length of the hole.
Outside one putter lengthScore 0 points for that attempt.
Check close finishesUse your putter as the distance reference when the finish is difficult to judge.
Complete 18 attemptsKeep a running total and record the final number of points out of 18.

Your practice record

Part of the roundRecord
Putts 1–9___ points / 9
Putts 10–18___ points / 9
Total___ points / 18
Practice noteDid your chosen high point and pace match the ball’s finish?

One close finish earns one point. Use the same one-putter-length measure throughout all 18 attempts. Your total records how often the ball finished close to the hole.

George’s Practice Tip.

George at the practice range.

Once you have chosen the point and pace, give that plan a fair chance. If the ball finishes away from the hole, take a moment to review both parts before changing anything. The next putt is another useful piece of feedback.

For a visible starting reference on a breaking putt, try String Line. For a separate pace exercise, try Leapfrog Putting.

MAKE THE NEXT BUCKET COUNT

Pick a card. Practise with purpose.

Explore the Golf Practice Made Fun App.