My Favorite Putting Drill

Putting. Isn't it the worst? You spend hours on the range refining your swing, only to reach the green in regulation and three-putt. Sound familiar?

Historically, I've been an above-average ball striker but a below-average putter—at least compared to golfers who hit the ball as well as I do. About a year ago, I decided it was time to overhaul my putting stroke. I've implemented several strategies to improve my performance on the greens, but in this post, I want to share a lighthearted drill I created to sharpen my focus during practice sessions.

I call it "Battle the Bear." The concept is simple: start with two golf balls and work your way around the putting green, playing a nine-hole match between them. I call it "Battle the Bear" because I imagine I'm playing my first ball while Jack Nicklaus—The Golden Bear himself—is playing my second.

The format is straightforward: play two balls in match play and tally the score after nine holes.

But not so fast. That version would be boring and not particularly helpful. The twist is this: Jack Nicklaus was a legendary player and a clutch putter, so we need to make him formidable. To simulate Jack's greatness, he never three-putts and always putts second, giving him a perfect read from your first roll. Additionally, Jack's second putt is always conceded—he never takes more than two putts. This means that to beat him, you must make your first putt. Three-putt, and you immediately lose the hole. With these rules in place, defeating Jack becomes the daunting challenge it should be.

I practice this drill for two primary reasons:

First, it simulates actual on-course pressure. In this drill, your first putt truly matters. You must read the break, judge the speed, and execute. Just like on the course, there are no do-overs. You need to make it count if you plan on beating The Bear.

Second, it provides immediate feedback. With Jack's ball, I get a second attempt at the exact same putt I just hit. Now I'm significantly more informed about the break and speed, and since the Bear never three-putts, I must focus entirely on making it. Lagging this putt is worthless. This second attempt offers a complete diagnostic of my stroke and mental state. Am I starting the putt on the correct line? Is my speed dialed in? (Ideally, misses should always go past the hole.) Am I fully locked in on the task at hand?

The final aspect I love about this drill is the killer mentality that comes with being The Bear. Nothing satisfies me more than breaking my own heart. Whether it's draining a putt to win the hole or erasing a great one-putt, I get genuinely excited when I channel Jack's dominance.

Let's recap how this drill elevates your practice. The first putt forces genuine focus on the practice green—something most golfers neglect. How can you expect to putt well on the course if you don't practice the exact skills you'll need during competition? Meanwhile, the ball you play as Jack compels you to commit to making every putt. Since Jack's second putt is always conceded, you must give each attempt a legitimate chance to drop. Leaving a putt short when playing the Bear's ball is completely useless.

I hope this simple drill adds a fresh dynamic to your putting practice. And remember: when you get the chance to be The Bear, make the most of it.