Putting Arc Drill: Rehearse a Natural Stroke
Rehearse a natural stroke
Give your putter a little room to swing. This is Putting Card 23 in the Golf Practice Made Fun App. Rehearse a gentle arc, return the face square to your start line at contact and see how often you can find the centre of the face.
Choose a level putt and make a comfortable stroke. You are exploring a repeatable path, so keep the arc small and natural. Play 18 putts and record your centred strikes out of 18.
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Watch the putting arc lesson
Watch Ross Eves Golf’s Putting Arc Drill – How to Practice Your Putting, then work through the three steps below. The 18-putt scoring round is the App’s practice format.
Step 1. Set your start line
| Action | What to do |
|---|---|
| Choose a level putt | Find a fairly straight, level putt on the practice green. Use the same distance throughout your round. |
| Pick your start line | Choose where you want the ball to start. Aim the putter face square to that line. |
| Set up comfortably | Take your usual stance and place the centre of the putter face behind the ball. Keep your grip pressure comfortable. |
| Make a rehearsal | Before hitting a ball, make a few small back-and-through strokes to feel the putter moving freely. |
Keep the task simple: a level putt, a clear start line and a comfortable setup.
Step 2. Rehearse the arc
| Action | What to do |
|---|---|
| Rock gently | Let a gentle shoulder motion move the putter. Allow a slight inward movement on the backswing and through-swing rather than steering it along a forced straight track. |
| Keep the arc small | Let the curve come from your normal setup and motion. Avoid deliberately wrapping the putter around your feet or rolling your wrists. |
| Find the centre | Return the face square to your intended start line at contact and aim to strike the ball from the centre of the face. |
| Reset each putt | After the ball has gone, check your contact and reset your line and pace before the next attempt. |
The face can turn naturally during the stroke. The aim is a square face at contact; you do not need to hold it facing the target throughout the backswing.
Step 3. Play 18 and score
| Action | What to do |
|---|---|
| Complete 18 putts | Use the same starting spot for all 18 attempts. Take a fresh setup each time. |
| Score your contact | Record 1 point for a centred strike and 0 for an off-centre strike. A centred strike still scores if the putt misses. |
| Check the evidence | Use the feedback from the strike. A putter-safe impact label can make the contact point clearer; follow its instructions. If you cannot tell whether a strike was centred, record 0 and use the same rule throughout. |
| Record your total | Add your points and save your score out of 18 in the App or on the practice sheet. Note the distance and one cue that helped. |
Your practice record
| Part of the round | Record |
|---|---|
| Putts 1–9 | ___ centred strikes / 9 |
| Putts 10–18 | ___ centred strikes / 9 |
| Total | ___ centred strikes / 18 |
| Distance and useful cue | ____________________________ |
Score centred contact. A holed putt from the toe or heel earns 0 in this drill. Keep the same contact check when comparing your scores.
George’s Practice Tip
Make a few easy rehearsals before the first ball. If you start drawing an enormous curve with the putter, make the stroke smaller and return to your comfortable setup.
Keep one cue for the round: “gentle arc, centre contact”. Your putter has enough to do without a full committee of swing thoughts.
FAQs
What equipment do I need?
A putter, balls and a level practice putt. You can also use a putting mat. A putter-safe impact label is optional if you want a visible contact mark.
How much should the putter arc?
Keep it gentle. The amount depends on your setup and stroke length. Explore the small curve that comes naturally from your motion rather than trying to copy a large drawn arc.
Should the face stay square throughout the stroke?
The face can turn with the stroke. Aim to return it square to your intended start line at contact. Holding it rigidly towards the target throughout can make the motion feel forced.
Does the ball have to go in to score a point?
No. This card scores centred strikes. A centred strike earns 1 even if the ball misses; an off-centre strike earns 0 even if it goes in. Record your total out of 18.
How can I check whether the strike was centred?
Use a consistent contact check. You may feel a toe or heel strike, but a suitable impact label can provide clearer feedback. If the result is uncertain, record 0. Keep the same method for later comparisons.
Can I practise this indoors?
Yes, on a level putting mat with enough room for the putter and ball. Use the same distance and surface when comparing practice rounds.
What drill do you recommend I do next?
Try the Putting Gate Drill to check the ball’s starting direction, or Putting Mirror Drill: Align Your Shoulders to review your setup.
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