As a professional golfer, I’ve seen firsthand how crucial speed control is to becoming a solid putter. In our previous post, we covered How to Train Your Eyes to Read Breaks in Golf Like a Pro but even the best read won’t matter if your speed is off.
You might aim perfectly, but if you consistently leave the ball short or blast it past the hole, you’ll still struggle to score. That’s where perfecting speed control comes in it’s the foundation of great putting.
In this article, I’m going to share the best Speed Control Putting Drills for Beginner Golfers that I personally recommend to anyone just starting out. These drills are easy to set up, require minimal equipment, and will help you develop a consistent feel for green speed.
Whether you’re practicing on the practice green or in your backyard, integrating these Speed Control Putting Drills for Beginner Golfers into your routine will build confidence, sharpen your distance control, and ultimately lower your scores.
Why Speed Control Matters in Putting
Before jumping into the drills, let’s talk about why speed control is so important. Most missed putts don’t come from poor aim they come from bad distance judgment. When your ball rolls past the hole too far, you increase the risk of three-putting. And when you leave it short, well, it never had a chance.
The goal of great putting is not only to sink more putts but also to leave yourself easy tap-ins when you miss. That’s what these drills are all about training your touch and feel to improve both accuracy and consistency.
Best Drills to Improve Speed Control
Here are five speed control drills I suggest every beginner should start practicing immediately:
The Ladder Drill
How it works:
- Place 5 tees or markers at 3 feet intervals (3ft, 6ft, 9ft, 12ft, 15ft).
- Start from the shortest distance and try to get the ball just past each tee without going too far beyond.
- Once you control the distance for each one, reverse the order.
Why it works:
This helps build touch and feel for different distances.
Towel Drill
How it works:
- Place a small towel 12–18 inches behind the hole.
- Putt from 6–10 feet, aiming to get the ball to stop between the hole and the towel.
- If you hit the towel, your pace was too strong.
Why it works:
It trains your brain to think about pace and stopping point, not just hitting the hole.
One-Ball Distance Drill
How it works:
- Set up from a fixed distance (say 10 feet).
- Putt a ball, then try to putt the next one to finish just slightly shorter than the previous ball.
- Repeat until the ball barely moves from the starting point.
Why it works:
You learn control over your putting stroke without relying on targets.
Fringe-to-Fringe Drill
How it works:
- On the practice green, putt from one fringe to the opposite side.
- Focus on stopping the ball right at the edge of the green without going into the fringe.
Why it works:
Teaches you distance judgment without the pressure of a hole.
Metronome Stroke Drill
How it works:
- Use a metronome app and set it to a steady beat (like 72 bpm).
- Practice your backswing and follow-through with the beat.
Why it works:
Helps maintain a consistent tempo, which is crucial for distance control.
A Simple Yet Powerful Drill to Start With
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with drills, I recommend starting with just one the Ladder Drill. As a beginner, this is a game-changer. The Speed Control Putting Drills for Beginner Golfers like the Ladder Drill provide structured feedback and force you to feel the greens in a way that is essential for improving your putting.
The Ladder Drill involves putting balls to different distances, progressively getting longer with each putt. This helps you develop a strong sense of touch and control over your speed. You’ll notice improved touch within a week of daily practice.
By focusing on distance control, you’ll begin to develop a consistent stroke, and your feel for the green will become more accurate. Over time, this drill will help you dial in your speed, and you’ll be able to confidently judge how far you need to hit the ball to sink more putts. It’s a simple, effective approach to mastering Speed Control Putting Drills for Beginner Golfers and enhancing your overall performance.
Summary of Drills and Their Focus
| Drill Name | Equipment Needed | Distance Focus | Skill Developed |
| Ladder Drill | Tees or ball markers | 3–15 feet | Distance feel across ranges |
| Towel Drill | Towel | 6–10 feet | Ideal pace control |
| One-Ball Distance Drill | 1 golf ball | Variable | Incremental control |
| Fringe-to-Fringe Drill | Practice green | Entire green | Judging longer rolls |
| Metronome Stroke Drill | Metronome app | Any | Consistent putting rhythm |
More Drills to Fine-Tune Speed Control
You’ve got the basics down. Now let’s level up with a few more drills that I use to refine my own putting game.
Coin Landing Drill
How it works:
- Place a coin or small marker about 1–2 feet short of the hole.
- Try to land your ball right on the coin with different length putts.
- If you consistently hit or pass the coin gently, your pace is perfect.
Why it works:
It teaches you to “die” the ball into the hole with ideal speed.
Eyes Closed Drill
How it works:
- Take your stance, make your read, and then close your eyes.
- Feel the stroke and guess where the ball will stop.
- Open your eyes to see how close you were.
Why it works:
Trains your feel and natural rhythm, reducing mechanical thoughts.
Uphill-Downhill Drill
How it works:
- Find a slope on the practice green.
- Hit 10 putts uphill and then 10 putts downhill to the same hole.
- Try to match the stopping point on each.
Why it works:
Helps you understand how slope affects speed and touch.
Gate Drill with Speed Goal
How it works:
- Set up two tees just wider than your putter head, 4 feet from the hole.
- Putt through the gate and try to get the ball to finish within 12 inches past the hole.
Why it works:
Combines directional control with ideal speed.
Advanced Drills Comparison
| Drill Name | Focus Area | Skill Level | Key Benefit |
| Coin Landing Drill | Precision speed control | Intermediate | Teaches ideal pace entry |
| Eyes Closed Drill | Stroke feel & intuition | All levels | Builds natural touch and rhythm |
| Uphill-Downhill Drill | Terrain-based speed control | Intermediate | Adapts stroke to green slopes |
| Gate Drill + Speed | Line + pace together | Intermediate | Encourages center-face hits + control |
Conclusion
Speed control isn’t a skill you master overnight, it’s something you develop through mindful, consistent practice. As a beginner, focus on feel, not perfection. Start with one or two of these Speed Control Putting Drills for Beginner Golfers and work them into your weekly routine. Spend time on both short and long putts.
Don’t be afraid to close your eyes, miss a few, or trust your instincts. That’s how you build touch. Every great putter you see on TV got there by doing the basics well and that starts with perfect speed control. These Speed Control Putting Drills for Beginner Golfers will help you develop confidence, distance awareness, and consistency on the green.
In our next post, we’ll dive into how to handle pressure putts those knee-knockers that can make or break your round. Get ready to build the confidence you need when the stakes are high.
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