Tour players spend hours rolling putts through a tight putter-head gate for one reason: even a half-inch miss toward the toe or heel bleeds ball speed and twists the face offline, turning a perfect read into a three-putt.
Cody Carter splits the pathpal into its two flat-edged halves to build an instant, rock-solid putter gate that trains dead-center contact on every stroke without pushing tees into the green.
See the full step-by-step station on the Putter Gate drill page, or watch Cody demonstrate the setup below.
The drill
Cody Carter (Director of Player Development at Druid Hills Golf Club; 2018-2026: Golf Digest Best Young Teachers in America, 2022, 2024-2025: Golf Magazine Top Teachers to Watch, 2024-2025: Golf Digest Best Teachers in State) uses the pathpal training system to give golfers immediate physical and visual feedback on every repetition.
This drill utilizes the pathpal to create a "gate" for your putter, ensuring a consistent and centered strike, much like how top professionals practice
Setup
- Split the pathpal and place the flat edges together towards each other
- Ensure the gap between the halves such that it is just wide enough for the putter head to pass through
- Confirm your eyes are positioned directly over the golf ball or slightly inside when you address the putt
How to run the drill
- Place a golf ball in front of the pathpal gate
- As you make your putting stroke, concentrate on passing the putter head cleanly through the center of the gate
Unlike loose tees that get knocked out of place on indoor mats, the two weighted halves of the pathpal sit flat on any putting green or carpet and form a repeatable gate in seconds.
Watch the drill
View the full guided drill on pathpal →
Why it works
Off-center putter contact is the hidden culprit behind poor lag putting and missed five-footers. Striking a putt off the toe or heel drops energy transfer (smash factor) and causes gear-effect face twist before the ball ever leaves the blade.
Center the strike on the putter face first, and both your start line and pace tighten up automatically.
By splitting the pathpal and placing the two flat inner edges facing each other just wider than your putter head, Cody Carter gives you immediate mechanical feedback. Confirming your eyes are directly over or slightly inside the ball completes a tour-grade setup you can deploy indoors or on the practice green.
Who this is for
- ✓Golfers who miss putts off the toe or heel and struggle with inconsistent speed control
- ✓Players who miss short putts inside 8 feet despite reading the break accurately
- ✓Anyone who wants a turf-free putting gate that works on indoor putting mats and carpet
- ✓Golfers who want a fast 5-minute pre-round calibration routine on the practice green
Try it
Split your pathpal into two halves, set the flat edges facing each other with just enough clearance for your putter head, and roll 6-to-10-foot putts.
- Split the pathpal and set the two flat inner edges facing each other just wider than your putter blade
- Check your setup so your eyes sit directly over or slightly inside the golf ball
- Make 10 smooth practice strokes passing the putter cleanly through the center of the gate
- Roll 15 putts from 6 to 8 feet, tightening the gate slightly once you make 5 clean passes in a row
This drill uses the pathpal magnetic 14-angle training station and alignment sticks. Shop pathpal, pair it with The Arrow padded alignment sticks, or explore the Complete Training System with Free U.S. Shipping.
Related drills
If this drill matches what you are working on, these three guided drills build on the exact same movement pattern:
Start Line & Rise Angle Putting Drill
Taught by David Potts. Control Your Putter Face and Achieve Optimal Rise Angle for Consistent Putts. View drill →
Rail and Stroke Length Drill
Taught by Cody Carter. Improve Putt Direction and Distance Control. View drill →
Linear Putting Stroke Drill
Taught by Jason Kuiper. Achieve a Consistent Path and Stroke Length for More Made Putts. View drill →
About Cody Carter
Frequently asked questions
How do I set up the Putter Gate Drill with pathpal?
Separate the pathpal into its two halves and place their flat edges facing each other on the green or mat, spaced just wide enough for your putter head to pass through without touching.
Why is centered putter contact so important for distance control?
When you strike a putt on the heel or toe away from the sweet spot, the putter head twists slightly and transfers less energy to the ball, leaving putts short and offline.
Where should my eyes be positioned at setup in this drill?
Cody Carter recommends confirming that your eyes are positioned directly over the golf ball or just slightly inside the target line at address.
Why use the pathpal halves instead of two golf tees for a putter gate?
Golf tees cannot be pushed into indoor putting mats or office carpet, whereas the weighted pathpal halves sit flat and stable on any indoor or outdoor surface.
How narrow should I make the putter gate?
Start with roughly a quarter-inch of clearance on both the heel and toe of your putter, then narrow the gap to a few millimeters as your stroke becomes more repeatable.
Ready to stop guessing and build a repeatable swing?
pathpal sets up drills like Putter Gate drill in seconds: one integrated training system that fits in any golf bag and delivers real feedback on every swing.
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