The Easy Trick the Best 1% of Golfers Use to Hole More Putts

Welcome, Art of Simple Golfers! Today, we’re taking a look at one of those “hidden in plain sight” secrets: the top 1% of golfers—yes, even folks like Tiger Woods—do something so simple with their putting, most golfers totally miss it. And no, it’s not some advanced, technical move. It’s a basic foundation that, once you get right (and keep right), can change your putting game forever.

I know, you’ve heard it all before: “If you want to putt better, practice more!” But what if better putting is actually just about fixing something golfers overlook, something you can apply right now? Let’s dig in, keep it relaxed, and give you the inside scoop—with a story, some fantastic drills, and visuals throughout so you won’t forget a thing.

Why Most Golfers Struggle with Consistent Putting

First, let’s clear the air. Most golfers—about 95%—aren’t struggling with putting because they have a bad stroke. The reality is, the problem is far more basic, and shockingly simple to fix. It’s not a fancy wrist movement or a newfangled grip. It’s about something we all do before we ever move the putter.

The Big Secret? Setup Consistency.

“95% of golfers are not consistent putters, not because of bad putting technique, but because of something so simple to fix that they ignore it.”

Think back to your last few missed putts. How often do you set up the same distance from the ball? The answer, if you’re like most of us, is: not often enough. And that’s where the inconsistency starts, long before you even make a stroke.

Putting Experiment: The Goldilocks Zone

To drive the point home, let’s look at a little experiment (and bring in a golf legend while we’re at it):

Stand too close to the ball.
Stand too far away.

What happens?

Too close: You might open up the club face, miss to the right, or feel jammed.
Too far: Chances are, you’ll close the club face, miss left, or lose control.

Let’s try it out, step by step:

Step 1: Too Close to the Ball

You set up with the ball squeezed right against your feet, almost hunched over. Now as you try to putt, your arms feel cramped, your eyes lose their line, and it’s natural to open the face—and send the ball missing right.

Step 2: Too Far from the Ball

Step back so the ball feels almost out of reach. Instinctively, you’ll close the club face to compensate, leading the putt left (for righties). It just feels wrong—a stretch, almost contorted.

Step 3: Finding The Goldilocks Zone

Not too close, not too far. You want your eyes comfortable, arms hanging naturally, and the putter working right under you—just right.

It sounds obvious once you hear it, but the problem isn’t just getting “close enough.” It’s about being repeatable, every time. Let your body settle into the right orientation, then lock that feeling in.

Why Setup Consistency Is the Foundation for Great Putting

We all love working on technique—adjusting the backstroke, honing the follow-through, even swapping out grips for fun. But none of that matters if the foundation below is wobbly. Let’s look at a few basics we must master first:

Exact same distance from the ball, every time.
Same ball position in your stance.
Consistent posture, not bent over or stretched out differently.
Natural, relaxed arms—especially important for a tension-free stroke.

Skimp on any of these, and your putting becomes a game of chance, not skill. And as you get older, the little stuff starts to really matter. Why make it harder on yourself?

The Foundation Checklist

Here’s a basic checklist before you hit a putt:

Is your distance from the ball the same every time?
Are your eyes in the right spot—over or just inside the ball?
Are your hands hanging naturally?
Is the ball in the same position in your stance?
Are your feet balanced, standing on the balls (not heels or toes)?

Use this as your pre-putt checklist.

The Common Mistake: Ignoring Setup and Ball Distance

Look, we all get into the habit of focusing on the stroke, pace, or reading greens like we’re cracking a code. But the simple act of stepping up to the ball the same way can save more strokes than you’d ever expect.

Example: If you’re closer or farther to the ball putt after putt, your brain and hands have to “guess” how to swing the putter each time. Sometimes you guess right, but more often, you don’t.

“Having the same setup, exactly the same distance from the ball, where it is for your orientation, the posture you have and the ball position is so important, you cannot fathom how much difference it will make to your putting game.”

Visual Guide: Building Your Putting Practice Station

That brings us to something I (and Tiger) swear by: building a practice station. The cool thing is, you don’t need expensive gadgets. A handful of tees or a ruler will do just fine.

DIY Home Drills—No Fancy Tools Required

What You Need:

Your putter
A few golf balls
Two or three tees (or anything as spacers)
A flat patch of carpet or your favorite section of the putting green

Setup Steps:

Ball Position:
Place a tee to mark where the ball sits.
Distance from Ball:
When you address the ball, put the putter head flat behind it. The grip end should rest about one grip-width from your toes. That’s about right for most golfers.
Eye Position:
Set up so your eyes are over the golf ball (some say inside the ball slightly, but over is a great general rule).
Right Arm Hang:
Let your right arm (for righties) hang naturally from your shoulder. If you need to reach out or tuck in, readjust your stance until it swings right under your shoulder.

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Repeat:
Hit a few putts. Step back, reset, and build the position again until it feels automatic.

For older golfers especially, this foundation helps you avoid unnecessary strain—and gets your puts gliding off the face with confidence.

The Drill That Tiger Woods Swears By

Okay, let’s get to the magic. If you love visuals, this part is for you.

The “Gate” Drill

Tiger Woods uses this drill every day—and you can build it in 30 seconds.

How to Set Up:

Place two tees in the ground, just barely wider than your putter head—enough so it can pass through without hitting them.
Line the putter up with the ball, centered between the tees.

The idea? As you stroke the ball, the putter must travel through the “gate” of tees. If your swing is wonky, you’ll hit one. Simple, exaggerated feedback you can’t ignore.

A Step-by-Step Breakdown

Begin with a wider gate (more forgiving for beginners).
Narrow the gate as you get more confident.
Focus on striking the ball out of the putter’s center.
Repeat until you can pass through cleanly, putt after putt.

“It’s crucial to hit the sweet spot of the putter. And being just a few millimeters off regularly is the difference between sinking putts and leaving them short or offline.”

Make It Harder—Tiger Style

Once you get the basic gate down, try narrowing it further for a real pro-level challenge. But don’t get frustrated if it feels difficult—Tiger’s been doing this his whole life.

Why This Drill Works—and How It Transforms Your Putting

Most putting issues, especially “distance control” struggles, aren’t about mechanics—they’re about where you strike the ball on the putter face. Miss out toward the toe or heel, and the ball comes off weak or offline.

Try this test at home:

Hit two putts with the same stroke and effort.
- One from the toe of the putter.
- One from the center.

You’ll see the “toe” putt die short or off target, while the “center” ball rolls smoothly and predictably.

The Bottom Line:
Improving your sweet spot accuracy instantly makes your distance control and line more reliable—without any extra effort in your stroke.

The Repeatable Putting Routine—Putting It All Together

Here’s your actionable sequence every time you address a putt:

1. Setup

Ball a putter grip away from your toes
Eyes over (or just inside) the ball
Right arm hanging loose, not reaching out or tucked in
Feet balanced, not on your toes or heels

2. Practice Station

Use tees or a makeshift station to check the distance from the ball and ball position—repeat this for every practice session, and then before every real putt.

3. Sweet Spot Drill

Whenever you practice, add in the Tiger Woods “gate” drill to groove the feel of hitting the ball solidly.

4. On-Course Diligence

Even when you’re out on the course and a little pressure sneaks in, stick to your setup. Don’t rush through it—this is every bit as important as the stroke itself.

Troubleshooting: The Most Common Putting Errors (and Easy Fixes)

Here’s a quick cheat-sheet for the three most common errors golfers make when setting up for a putt—and how to fix them immediately.

1. Standing Too Close

Symptoms: Feeling cramped, consistently missing right, body feels awkward
Fix: Use your putter grip as a measuring stick—make sure the grip is about a putter’s length away from your toes.

2. Standing Too Far

Symptoms: Feeling stretched, missing left, inconsistent contact
Fix: Step in until your right arm hangs naturally and the putter’s grip end is about a grip-width away from your toes.

3. Unbalanced Weight

Symptoms: Teetering on toes or rocking back, inconsistent roll
Fix: Center your weight on the balls of your feet—steady, stable, ready to roll.

4. Non-Repeatable Ball Position

Symptoms: Varying distance control, inconsistent start lines
Fix: Mark your stance during practice, or use a tee as a marker to groove the ball’s position in your setup.

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Why “Consistency” Makes the Biggest Difference (Especially As You Age)

If you could guarantee the same setup, the same strike, and the same feel every time, you’d eliminate most putting woes overnight. This doesn’t require youth or flexibility. In fact, experience and routine reward older golfers the most—because you’ve got the patience and wisdom to lock in good habits.

A Quick Story: Steady Hands Beat Flashy Moves

I once played with a gentleman in his late sixties at the local club. His stroke wasn’t the prettiest, but he always set up to the ball exactly the same way, no matter if it was a short par-saver or a testy long one. And wouldn’t you know it—he hardly ever three-putted, and lipped in more than his share.

It’s not about magic—it’s about building habits you can trust under pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I really have to use training aids like a putting mirror?

A: Nope! Mirrors work great for Tour pros, but you can use tees, your putter, or even a household object to groove the right setup.

Q: How often should I do the “gate” drill for best results?

A: As often as you can! Ten minutes, a few times a week, will settle your stroke and setup—start easy, and make it harder as you improve.

Q: Is it more important to work on stroke technique or setup?

A: Truly, setup comes first. Without the right position and habits, even the best stroke gets inconsistent results.

Q: My hands shake over short putts. Will this routine help?

A: Absolutely. Focusing on a repeatable setup calms nerves, gives your mind something positive to focus on, and makes pressure putts feel like any other.

Putting Routine for the Course: Checklist

Adopt this on the practice green and the first tee, and you’ll start beating your old self (and your friends) in no time.

Build your station (marks or tees or imagination)
Step up, check your distance and posture
Let your arms hang, balance on the balls of your feet
Practice the gate drill—find the sweet spot
Trust your routine—repeat for every single putt

Inspirational Closing

Let’s finish with a little reminder:

“Get better at hitting the sweet spot, use the Tiger Woods drill, and get more precise with your setup. On the course, be diligent in your routine, and I promise—you’ll putt more consistently, hole more putts, and three-putt less.”

Putting doesn’t have to be a mystery. It’s about stacking simple habits, building your unique “Goldilocks zone,” and practicing just enough to lock it all in. Whether you’re 27 or 77, these are tips you can bring to the course today.

Now, if you’re hungry for more actionable tips with a common sense story behind them, check out this lesson on a simple key to transform your entire game. Until next time—roll it true, enjoy the walk, and keep it simple!