5 drills to transform your putting
Golf Monthly|February 2022
I’m like Jack Nicklaus,” Andy Sullivan says, “I’ve never three-putted.” The 34-year-old from Nuneaton might like a laugh and a joke, but he’s actually quite serious when it comes to his putting, for he knows that it’s one of the strongest parts of his game. So, what’s his secret?
Andy Sullivan with Michael Weston
5 drills to transform your putting

For starters, he enjoys the art of putting. Watch him go about his business on the practice green (as we recently did at The Belfry) and that much is clear. There are other reasons, too – five of them, you might say.

Over the next few pages, Sullivan talks us through his favourite putting drills – exercises that have become part of his routine in the lead-up to tournaments, immediately prior to play and back home at Stratford-on-Avon Golf Club. He swears by them, and if you’re serious about improving your performance on the greens, you’d do well to adopt one or two yourself.

1 Stack 'em up

This is my go-to drill when working on pace control. I start by marking out a five-foot gap between two tees. Then, I pop another tee down about ten feet away to mark where I’m going to putt from. The aim is to ‘stack’ the balls up in the gap. Each one has to go further than the last. However, no ball is allowed to finish outside this five-foot zone. My first putt has to make it inside this area, too. If it doesn’t, I have to start again.

I once saw Marc Warren get 11 in, which is pretty impressive. Normally, if you can get five in, you’re doing really well. When I’m dialled in, I can just inch each ball slightly further than the last. I love this drill because there’s no hole involved, and it gives me a great sense of the pace of the greens before I go out and play.

Try repeating this drill three or four times before you go out and play at the weekend – as opposed to quickly just throwing some balls down and trying to hole them – and I guarantee it’ll be a more effective warm-up.

2 The spiral

Esta historia es de la edición February 2022 de Golf Monthly.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición February 2022 de Golf Monthly.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE GOLF MONTHLYVer todo
Is it Time for the Presidents Cup to Be Scrapped? - The next instalment of the USA v Internationals match takes place in Canada at the end of September. But should the one-sided affair continue?
Golf Monthly

Is it Time for the Presidents Cup to Be Scrapped? - The next instalment of the USA v Internationals match takes place in Canada at the end of September. But should the one-sided affair continue?

The next instalment of the USA v Internationals match takes place in Canada at the end of September. But should the one-sided affair continue? Why would anyone even suggest such a drastic course of action? It may sound harsh, but since the inaugural event in 1994, the International team has managed just one victory and one tie while the American team has won 12 times, including nine straight from 2005. It is 26 years since the International team's solitary success in 1998 at Royal Melbourne under the captaincy of the late Peter Thomson.

time-read
2 minutos  |
September 2024
Surprise packages
Golf Monthly

Surprise packages

Jeremy Ellwood looks back on some of the more unusual golfing countries he has visited during his 20+ years writing for Golf Monthly

time-read
6 minutos  |
September 2024
TAKE YOUR IRON GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Golf Monthly

TAKE YOUR IRON GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL

The key to good iron play is finding the right low point in your swing. Here's how to do it...

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
How to organise the perfect golf day
Golf Monthly

How to organise the perfect golf day

Golf Monthly's guide to arranging and running a memorable and successful event

time-read
7 minutos  |
September 2024
A LEGEND
Golf Monthly

A LEGEND

Michael Weston makes a pilgrimage to Pedrena in Spain to visit Seve's family home and talk about his life and legacy with his children

time-read
9 minutos  |
September 2024
"THESE ARE THE MOMENTS I LIVE FOR"
Golf Monthly

"THESE ARE THE MOMENTS I LIVE FOR"

Alison Root sits down for a chat with Anna Nordqvist, the three-time Major Champion and first playing assistant captain in Solheim Cup history

time-read
6 minutos  |
September 2024
SCALING NEW HEIGHTS
Golf Monthly

SCALING NEW HEIGHTS

The Solheim Cup seems to grow in significance and excitement with every staging, and this year's encounter in Virginia promises to be no exception...

time-read
8 minutos  |
September 2024
STOKE PARK
Golf Monthly

STOKE PARK

I never expected to write about Stoke Park again after its closure in 2021, but it seems reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated.

time-read
6 minutos  |
September 2024
PEAK AT THE OF HIS POWERS
Golf Monthly

PEAK AT THE OF HIS POWERS

Scottie Scheffler is a remarkable golfer who is well on his way to becoming an all-time great. Michael Weston analyses his accomplishments and explores his life to date...

time-read
8 minutos  |
September 2024
TaylorMade P7CB and P770 irons from £179 per club
Golf Monthly

TaylorMade P7CB and P770 irons from £179 per club

Adding to an extremely strong 2024 product line-up, TaylorMade has launched its latest irons in the successful P-Series - the P7CB and the P770.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024