Putter-Head Gate: Miss the Tees

Putter-Head Gate: guide your putter through clean contact. Two tees sit just outside the putter head.

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DRILL OVERVIEW · PUTTING CARD 28

Your drill at a glance

PuttingDrill category

Cleaner contactBenefit

18 attemptsPractice format

Points / 18Practice record

Putter, ball + two teesEquipment

Putter-Head Gate: set tees outside the putter head, make tee-free strokes and score clean strikes over 18 attempts.

This is Putting card twenty-eight, Putter-Head Gate: Miss the Tees, in the Golf Practice Made Fun App.

Give your putter head a clear route through impact. Two tees just outside its heel and toe provide simple feedback: can you make a clean strike without clipping either tee?

Keep the tees beside the putter head and leave the ball’s path clear. Pause between attempts to check your line and pace, then start again with a settled setup.

Jump to set the gate, miss the tees or score 18 attempts.

Watch the putter-head gate drill.

John Howells shows the two-tee gate used to practise contact. Notice that the gap is sized for the putter head, with the ball centred on the face.

Watch on YouTube

Step 1. Set the gate.

Step 1: place two tees just outside the heel and toe of the putter head, clear of the ball’s path.

Action	What to do
Set the putter down	Rest the putter behind the ball, with the centre of the face lined up with the ball.
Place two tees	Put one tee just outside the heel and the other just outside the toe of the putter head.
Leave a little clearance	Make the gap slightly wider than the putter head so it can pass without touching either tee.
Check the ball’s path	The tees sit beside the putter head. Leave the ball’s forward path clear.

Use the width of your putter head to set the gap. The ball should have an open route forwards.

Step 2. Miss the tees.

Step 2: make a clean strike without clipping either tee; widen slightly if contact is unsafe or frequent.

Action	What to do
Take your putting stance	Stand comfortably close, let your arms hang and set the face behind the ball.
Make a smooth stroke	Move the putter through the gate and strike the ball without clipping a tee.
Notice any contact	If a tee is clipped, pause and reset. Let the gate give you feedback rather than forcing the putter through.
Widen when needed	If tee contact is unsafe or frequent, widen the gap slightly before continuing.

A tee tap is useful feedback. Stop, reset and make the next attempt calmly; the tees have not challenged you to a duel.

Step 3. Score 18 attempts.

Step 3: pause to check line and pace, score one point per clean strike that misses the tees and record a total out of 18.

Action	What to do
Play 18 attempts	Keep a running count so each putt has its place in the round.
Pause before the next putt	Check your intended line and pace, then rebuild your setup.
Award 1 point	Score one point for each clean strike that misses the practice marker: the tees forming your putter-head gate.
Record your total	Add your points and record the total out of 18. Higher is better.

Your practice record

Part of the round	Points
Attempts 1–6	___ / 6
Attempts 7–12	___ / 6
Attempts 13–18	___ / 6
Total	___ / 18

Score the clean strike. One point requires a clean strike that misses the practice marker. Holing the putt is welcome, but it does not replace that scoring condition.

George’s Practice Tip.

Leave enough room to make a normal putting stroke. If you keep clipping a tee, widen the gate slightly and rebuild a smooth rhythm. A useful gate gives feedback without turning every putt into a tiny obstacle course.

For a visual setup check, try Mirror Check. To make the pause before each putt more consistent, use Picture, Look, Roll.

MAKE THE NEXT BUCKET COUNT

Pick a card. Practise with purpose.