Rail and Stroke Length Drill

Improve Putt Direction and Distance Control

Config: Together
Focus: Putting

Drill Objective

This drill uses the Path Pal at a 70-degree angle to serve as both a guide for your putting stroke path and a ruler for consistent backswing and follow-through lengths, ultimately improving speed control

Set-Up

  1. Turn your pathpal so the 70 degree putting angle is away from you
  2. Ensure the pathpal is aimed directly at the target
  3. (alternate) place the pathpal on the ground near the ball, parallel to your target line, so you can use the hash marks as visual references for the backswing and follow-through

Instructions

Putter rail practice

  1. Set your putter on the pathpal at address.
  2. Make putting strokes, allowing the putter sole to slide along the pathpal's edge.
  3. Focus on keeping the putter moving "down the line" through both the backswing and follow-through, preventing it from going too far inside or outside.


Stroke Length Control

  1. Use the hash marks on the Path Pal to define your backswing and follow-through lengths for different putt distances
  2. Bring the putter back to a specific mark (e.g., the third hash mark) and aim for the putter to finish at another specific mark (e.g., the end of the Path Pal), allowing the putter to "coast" into the ball rather than accelerating aggressively through it.
  3. Hit putts, concentrating on matching your backswing and follow-through lengths to the chosen marks.

Benefits

Consistent chipping
Speed Control
Centered Putter Contact
Improved Club Path
Cody Carter
Cody Carter
Director of Player Development
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

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