Dist. Control Drill: Precision Box
Introduction: Precise distance control
Putting isn't just about making strokes—it's about mastering the art of distance. This drill, known as the Distance Ladder, challenges your ability to control speed with absolute precision. It's a high-discipline exercise that sharpens your awareness of how far each ball travels, one stroke at a time. With a progressively increasing demand for touch, this drill is a top-tier tool for players looking to develop world-class distance sensitivity.
Benefits of This Training
Builds elite touch and distance layering on the green
Improves decision-making under precision pressure
Sharpens mental focus and discipline
Trains green-speed adaptation and setup consistency
Boosts confidence in pace control across all putting ranges
What You Need:
4–5 golf balls
5 tees
Setup & Instructions:
Use the length of your putter to form a square using 4 tees—one at each corner.
Place a starting tee at 1m, 2m, 3m, or 4m from the edge of the square.
From that tee, hit 5 putts, following these rules:
Every ball must end inside the square.
If a ball touches the square’s edge, it counts as inside.
Each ball must finish farther than the previous one without leaving the square.
If a ball stops shorter than the last, restart.
If a ball exits the square, restart.
If a ball hits another ball, restart.
What Does This Drill Improve?
This drill significantly improves your distance control for short to mid-range putts, especially from 3 meters and beyond. It trains your ability to judge and layer putts with consistent progression, building elite-level feel and eliminating guesswork in your stroke lengths.
Tips:
Use the edges of the square to place your first putts to save space.
Patience is key—this is a mentally demanding exercise.
Control distance with backswing length, not by rushing tempo.
Difficulty Levels:
Level 1: Slow green, flat slope
Level 2: Medium green, slight slope
Pro Level: Fast green, strong slope
Extra Challenges:
Putt with right hand only
Putt with left hand only
Putt with eyes closed
Conclusion
The Distance Ladder is more than just a drill—it’s a performance test. It pushes your consistency, touch, and mental sharpness, developing the exact traits needed to perform under tournament pressure. If you want to take full control of your putting distances, this drill is non-negotiable.