Welcome to Play Smart, a regular GOLF.com game-improvement column that will help you become a smarter, better golfer.

When looking for drills to try, it can be a good idea to look at what the pros are doing — especially when it comes to the greens. While you may not be able to replicate the swing moves they make, you can (with a little practice) roll the ball end over end on the greens like they do.

GOLF Top 100 Teacher Jonathan Yarwood has taught quite a few Tour-level players. And when we went out to visit him at Alpine Country Club last fall, he shared with us one of the drills he used to help his pupils with their putting.

Tour-proven putting drill

A golf hole is only 4.25 inches in diameter, and when you’re not putting well it can look even smaller. However, with the golf ball measuring just 1.68 inches in diameter, there’s plenty of room to roll it into the hole. This drill helps remind us of that.

“It’s a psychological drill to get you to feel like the hole is bigger than it actually is,” Yarwood says.

To begin the drill, set up about 4 feet away from a hole with a few golf balls. Then all you’re going to do is start trying to make some putts — but with a catch. On every putt you want the ball to go into a different part of the hole.

When you roll a ball in the hole, it can go in the cup in five different ways: center with perfect speed, center with dying speed, center hitting the back of the cup, in the right edge, and in the left edge. Your goal on this drill will be to make a putt in all five different ways.

“Basically that’s simulating the five different putts you’re gonna hit,” Yarwood says. “It’s also psychologically allowing you to understand that ball goes in a lot of ways.”

Working on making the ball in those five different ways not only helps you dial in your speed and line on these putts, it also helps remind you that the ball has plenty of room to go in the hole.

“If you do that over a period of time, the hole will feel bigger and bigger and you’ll get more and more confident,” Yarwood says. “That is definitely a Tour-proven drill.”

Perfect Roll Putting Mirror

$29.99

Perfect Roll Mirror
The Perfect Roll Mirror is a compact, low-profile putting mirror that helps you improve your putting stroke. It is just 1/8″ thick, so your putter head and stroke are not elevated as with some other mirrors. The mirror measures 6″ wide x 12″ long, so it is easy to store in your golf bag and take with you to the practice green.
The Perfect Roll Mirror has a beveled entry port that makes it easy to roll a ball to the same fixed location every time. This helps you develop consistent setup and stroke mechanics that will lead to more made putts.
The mirror also includes tee holes that can be used to secure it to the putting green if desired. These holes can also be used as stroke guides for putters with a 5 ½” head or smaller.
White and green lines on the mirror provide additional feedback on your stroke path and the squareness of your putter face. These lines complement the TrueSquare™ slots through the impact zone, which help you ensure that you are making square contact with the ball.
The Perfect Roll Mirror is a portable and functional training mirror that is perfect for improving your putting stroke. Order yours today and start making more putts!
Here are some additional benefits of using the Perfect Roll Mirror:

Helps you develop a consistent putting stroke
Improves your stroke path
Ensures that you are making square contact with the ball
Reduces common putting mistakes
Makes you more confident on the green

If you are serious about improving your putting stroke, the Perfect Roll Mirror is the perfect training aid for you. Order yours today and start seeing results!

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Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and women’s golf. He can be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.