Clockface Putting Drill: Par Maker

 

This Clockface Putting Drill is from the Golf Practice Planner.

Name
Clockface Putting Drill

Category
Putting Practice Drills

Difficulty
6 out of 10

Time
5 minutes

Props
Putter, 6 balls, 6 tee pegs, string line.

Overview
This is a 6 putt drill from around the hole (6 footers). As you move around the hole there will be different amounts of break. This will teach you how to read breaks. Imagine it as a “clockface”. The 6 and 12 o’clock putts will be dead straight. The 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 o’clock putts will be left to right putts. The 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 o’clock putts will be right to left putts. The closer you get to the string line, the straighter the putt will be.

Steps

Step 1: Watch
Watch the video.

Step 2: String Line
Place your string line along a straight putt.

Step 3: Six Balls
Place 6 balls around the hole from 6 feet (to create your clockface).

clockface putting drill

Step 4: Putt
Putt the uphill straight putt first, then move along the clockface. Imagine it as a “clockface”. The 6 and 12 o’clock putts will be dead straight. The 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 o’clock putts will be left to right putts. The 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 o’clock putts will be right to left putts. The closer you get to the string line, the straighter the putt will be.

As you move around the clockface, become aware of where you are on the “clockface”. For example, when you get to the 7 o’clock position, become aware that you’re standing on the 7 o’clock position on your clockface and that it’s a left to right uphill putt.

Clockface Putting Formula

clockface putting explained6 and 12 o’clock = Straight putt
7 o’clock = Left to right uphill putt
8 o’clock = Left to right uphill putt
9 o’clock = left to right sidehill putt
10 o’clock = Left to right downhill putt
11 o’clock = Left to right downhill putt
1 o’clock = Right to left downhill putt
2 o’clock = Right to left downhill putt
3 o’clock = Right to left sidehill putt
4 o’clock = Right to left uphill putt
5 o’clock = Right to left uphill putt

Clockface Putting Basics

  • The golden rule when walking onto a green is to find the straight uphill putt.
  • Draw a mental straight line from 6 o’clock to 12 o’clock.
  • All putts to the left of 6 o’clock (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) are left to right putts.
  • All putts to the right of 6 o’clock (5, 4, 3, 2, 1) are right to left putts.
  • Every putt breaks towards 6 o’clock.
  • 9 and 3 o’clock putts break the most.
  • 6 and 12 o’clock putts are straight.
  • The closer you are to 6 and 12 o’clock, the straighter the putt will be.

Step 5: Keep Score
Keep score. 6 out of 6 is the goal. If you complete 6 out of 6, continue and see how many you can make in a row. Try to improve your best score.

Bonus Video 
Below is another great video explaining the “clockface putting formula”.

If you enjoyed this free golf practice drill, you might like my Golf Drills Practice Planner. If you're a golf nerd, you're gonna love it.

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