Cut the 3-Putt: The Golf Putting Green Drill That Will Change Your Game
If you’re tired of walking off the green with a frustrating 3-putt, this video is for you. In this episode from Portugal, I’m showing you a simple but powerful golf putting drill that has completely changed the way I putt—and can do the same for you.
I’m David Leathem, and on my channel DL Golf Tips, I share real drills, real golf tips, and real results. Today’s putting green game is something I did every day for years, and it’s hands-down the most effective drill I’ve found for improving golf putting speed control, eliminating 3-putts, and building confidence on the greens.
What You’ll Learn:
• How to master speed control on the putting green
• A proven golf putting drill to cut down on 3-putts
• How to use simple tools—3 tees, 2 golf balls, and a golf alignment stick—to simulate pressure situations
• Why putting speed (not line!) is the #1 reason most golfers struggle
• A putting game that builds feel, distance control, and consistency
Whether you’re a weekend golfer or chasing scratch, this golf putting drill will help you lower your scores, build putting confidence, and eliminate the dreaded 3-putt from your round.
Why This Drill Works
It targets the root cause of 3-putting: poor distance control. Practicing on the putting green with this game teaches your brain to “ID” the right pace, “capture” your ideal speed, and control your stroke without mechanical thoughts. It’s simple, portable, and it works on any putting surface—at home or on course.
Want Premium Leather Golf Gloves for Less?
Check out my sponsor: www.gxgolfgloves.com
Use code DAVID at checkout to get 10% OFF—tour-level quality without the tour-level price.
Support the Journey
If this helped you, like, comment, and subscribe to follow me on my mission to qualify for the British Open at Royal Portrush. I’m sharing everything I’ve learned on my own journey, and bringing you practical golf tips, drills, and games to level up your game fast.
Let’s build better golfers together—one putt at a time.
#golf #golftips #golftip #golfputting #golferg #golfing #golflife #golflessons #golflesson #golfpro #golfshorts #golfcourse #golftechnique #golfswag
going to minimize three putts, which is so important. They actually three putt because of short or long on this short putt. Let’s talk about capture speed. One, two, three. Okay. Yeah. Miles over here. Another pass. So, I can go to the back one. Now, if you’re joining me here in Amander Golf Resort in Portugal, and today we’re going to be looking at speed putting. Okay. In particular, a drill. And all you’re going to need is a putter, obviously, two balls, three T’s, and an alignment stick. Okay. This drill is fantastic. It’s going to minimize three putts, which is so important when it comes to lowering your scores and improving your golf. Okay? Most golfers don’t three putt because they miss it 5 foot left or 5 foot right. They actually three putt because of short or long. So, we’re going to discuss something called ideal capture speed and also a drill to really fine-tune your speed when you’re out on the golf course. So before we get started looking at that, if you haven’t done so already, please don’t forget to hit the like button, hit the subscribe button. Let’s get started. Okay, so on this short putt, let’s talk about capture speed. Okay, now the ideal capture speed for a putt is around 12 to 18 in past the hole. Now, the reason for that is if I stand and hit this putt and hit it too hard, even if I hit the middle of the hole, I would miss. Okay, it’s a bit excessive obviously, but point proven. So, if I hit it super soft, not only is that tentative, it’s just not very assertive. You don’t you’re going to catch more blemishes on the green. And as everybody picks their ball out of the hole all day, different pair of parts around the hole, the hole actually begins to lift ever so slightly. It’s like an upturn saucer. So the slower it is pulling off. All right. The way we make the hole the biggest, it’s 12 to 18 in past. And this leads us nicely into our drill that we’re going to do. Okay. It’s a skill drill. As I said, there’s technique involved, but this is purely you, your athleticism, your coordination, and having a little bit of fun as well. Okay. So, what we’re going to do, we’ll go easy on you a little bit. We’re going to take your putter length to begin with. Okay. We’re going to place it past the hole and place an alignment stick. Okay. Now, this area from the hole to your stick is safety zone. All right. you’re going to get basically a pass if you stop the ball inside that. Okay? If you hold the putt, that’s great, but we can’t leave it short of the hole and we cannot hit the stick. All right? So, what we’re going to do then with our three T’s is we’re going to take one, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three. Okay. Miles over here. Okay. So, the idea from the first two putts, you’re going to hit and try and either hold the putt, but honestly, I wouldn’t make holding the putt your objective cuz if you hold try and go for the hole, you may end up kind of hitting it too hard or whatever. Just think of that zone. All right, so we’re going to try and stop it within there. Okay, so you just stand up. You’ve got your TE’s in. So, if you hold it, it’s a bonus. Okay. Jeez, that thing swings a lot. Okay. It’s fierce though. I’m in the zone, right? Next one. Okay. Again, really does move. All right. Safe. Pass the hole. Short of the stick. Okay. That’s a pass. Now, with two balls, make this as hard as you want to on yourself. Depending on your ability, you might do one ball, then go one ball, one ball, or two or three, maybe even more. Okay? But do challenge yourself. Don’t make it too easy. All right? Once you completed that, come back then to the the longer one, the next one. And I should point out as well that it’s important you don’t try the same hole or the same drill over and over again. move it around. Do an uphill, a downhill, a left to right, a right to left. I here have chosen quite a nice one with a downhill, left to right putt. But let’s see. Okay, again, a little low, but past the hole and good speed. Well, not perfect speed, but safe. You know, I’m not going to three put that into a little firmer. Stop. Yeah, stayed short of it. Okay, another pass. So, I can go to the back one now. But what you can start to see is that with these putts, I’m leaving myself for the next one, I’m very likely to make those. and not shoot myself in the foot three putt or something crazy. So, next one we’re a little bit further out be around about 27 ft. Just want to take this opportunity to thank my channel sponsor GXGolf Gloves. Check out their website gxgolfgloves.com. Really good quality leather glove for a fraction of the cost. Use my code David at checkout and you’ll save yourself a nice little bit of cash as well. I think that was a bit firm. It’s still inside the thing and hit the lip. I don’t know. You can let me know in the comments about that one. But yeah, again. Jeez, really does move. Okay, but you get the picture. Practice this over and over. Various locations around the hole. Objective, stop it here. You’ll minimize your three putts massively. You hit the stick or leave it short, start over. Honestly, guys, give this go game a go. It is fantastic. Thanks so much for watching today’s video. If you enjoyed it, please don’t forget to hit the like button, hit the subscribe button, and I’ll see you guys in the next one. I’m going to go learn how to read putts.
