Dist. Control Drill - The Semicircle Challenge Mid-Range
Introduction: Speed control on mid-range putts
Mid-range putts often determine whether you save par or walk away with a bogey. The ability to consistently roll your ball close to the hole can eliminate the pressure on short putts and increase your chances of holing out. This drill is designed to sharpen your speed control on putts from 3 to 6 meters by forcing you to land the ball within a tight scoring zone.
Benefits of This Training:
Refines speed control for mid-range putts
Reduces three-putts by developing better proximity on the first putt
Enhances green-reading awareness and decision-making
Builds mental resilience under task pressure
Encourages adaptive strategies for different green conditions
What You Need:
15 tees
5 golf balls
Setup & Instructions:
Create a semicircle using tees, placed around half the hole.
The radius of the semicircle should be roughly the length from the putter head to the start of the grip (not the full putter).
Set 4 tees as starting points at distances of 3, 4, 5, and 6 meters from the hole.
Your goal is to roll 3, 4, or 5 balls (based on your level) into the semicircle from each tee. Start at tee 1, and only move to the next tee after successfully completing the current one.
Special Rule:
If you hole a putt, you earn a “life”—a free miss in case another ball doesn’t land within the circle.
What Does This Drill Improve?
This exercise significantly enhances your feel for pace on mid-range putts. It teaches you how to consistently leave putts closer to the hole, reducing pressure on your next stroke and increasing your conversion rate. It also sharpens your judgment about how different factors affect putt speed.
Tips:
Control your distance mainly with backswing length—maintain a consistent rhythm.
Pay close attention to green speed influencers:
Slope
Moisture
Green condition
Grain direction
Color variations on the green
Always ask yourself why a putt missed the circle—this builds your analytical ability and green-reading skills.
Difficulty Levels:
Level 1: Slow greens, flat slope
Level 2: Medium-speed greens, slight slope
Pro Level: Fast greens, heavy slope
Add complexity by alternating tees: putt from tee 1, then tee 3, then tee 2, then tee 4—instead of completing all from the same tee in a row.
Conclusion
This semicircle drill blends precision, consistency, and smart decision-making. It simulates real-game pressure by challenging your ability to land within scoring range from multiple distances. When mastered, it gives you a competitive edge on the greens—where it matters most.