Improve your putting
Improving your putting is one of the fastest ways to lower your golf scores. While power off the tee is great, it’s the short game—especially putting—that makes the biggest difference. Two of the best training aids for putting improvement are a putting mirror and a putting tutor. Here’s how to use them effectively to hole more putts and build consistency.
1. Using a Putting Mirror for Better Alignment and Stroke
A putting mirror helps with three key fundamentals: eye position, shoulder alignment, and stroke path.
How to Use a Putting Mirror:
Set up the mirror on a straight putt (preferably inside 10 feet).
Check your eye alignment – Your eyes should be directly over or slightly inside the ball. A mirror allows you to see exactly where your eyes are relative to the target line.
Square your shoulders – A good mirror will have lines to ensure your shoulders are parallel to your target line.
Track your stroke path – Many mirrors have built-in stroke guides to help you maintain a straight or slight arc stroke.
Drill: Gate Putting with a Mirror
Place two tees in the ground just wider than your putter’s width on the mirror.
Stroke putts while keeping your putter within the gate.
This prevents excessive face rotation and helps you start putts on line.
2. Using a Putting Tutor for Start Line Precision
A putting tutor is designed to help you start your putts on the correct line by providing immediate feedback. It typically has two marbles or small barriers at the front—if your putter face is misaligned at impact, you’ll hit them.
How to Use a Putting Tutor:
Set it up on a flat putt – Place the tutor on your target line.
Square your putter face – Align it so that your face is square at address.
Putt without hitting the barriers – If you consistently get the ball through the gates, you know you’re striking it on the correct line.
Drill: Start Line Challenge
Hit five putts in a row through the gate without touching the marbles.
If you hit one, restart.
This builds a consistent and repeatable stroke under pressure.
3. Combining the Mirror and Tutor for Maximum Improvement
For the best results, use the putting mirror first to fine-tune your setup and stroke, then use the putting tutor to test your start line accuracy.
Routine for a 10-Minute Putting Session:
5 minutes with the putting mirror – Focus on alignment and stroke path.
5 minutes with the putting tutor – Test your ability to start putts on the correct line.
By incorporating both of these training aids into your practice, you’ll develop better consistency, roll more putts on line, and ultimately sink more putts under pressure.
Are you using a putting mirror or putting tutor in your practice? Let us know your results!
