The Color-Coded Putting Drill
This drill helps you build a mental map of different distances by assigning specific colors to varied targets on the green:
Gather Your Tools: Use a tube of golf balls featuring three distinct colors (e.g., yellow, orange, and pink).
Assign Your Targets:
Yellow: Short-range target.
Pink: Mid-range target.
Orange: The farthest target.
Practice by Color: Hit sets of 20 balls for each color to its designated target to build deep consistency.
Visualize the Course: When you are playing a real round, use these colors as mental references. For a short putt, imagine the yellow ball from your practice session to recall the correct feel.
Test Your Touch: Rotate between the colors randomly to challenge your ability to adjust your stroke length and power on the fly.
Questions and Answers
Q: What is the main goal of using different colored golf balls in this drill? A: The primary goal is to establish better distance control by creating a visual and mental association between a specific color and a target distance.
Q: How many balls should I hit to each target? A: Heidi Richardson suggests hitting about 20 balls of one color to a single target before moving on to the next color and target to build repetition.
Q: How does this practice help when I’m actually playing a round? A: It provides a mental reference point; for example, you can visualize a short putt on the course as one of the “yellow” putts you practiced, helping you execute the correct stroke length.
Q: Where can I find Heidi Richardson for a professional lesson? A: Heidi Richardson is a PGA Certified Instructor based at the Encinitas Ranch Golf Course in California.
Note: Heidi Richardson’s Southern California PGA lesson video is also available on the SCPGA Youtube channel.
