The Perfect Putting Gate Drill

The problem? Getting the tees perfectly aligned and spaced correctly every time is fiddly and inconsistent. They get knocked over easily. It's not a precise way to practice.

This drill uses your StanceMate to create a perfectly square, stable, and repeatable putting gate that trains not just your start line, but your entire setup and stroke path.

The Goal

To train a consistent putting stroke that starts the ball on your intended line, every time, by providing feedback on path and face angle.

The Setup

This is a simple but incredibly effective use of your StanceMate.

1. Set Your Foundation: Place the StanceMate on the ground. Aim the central ruler directly at your target (or an intermediate spot). Use the ruler ends to set your stance width and the markings to set your ball position. Your setup is now perfect and repeatable.
2. Set your stance width Use the same setup as a "wedge" with StanceMate. That means it's about a ball-width narrower than your 7-iron stance. You can adjust this to see where you naturally putt the best (highest percentage), but the key here is BE CONSISTENT! Every time you set up to the ball, dial that in until you can repeat it without StanceMate and then measure.
3. Create the Stroke Path Gate: The central ruler itself is your first gate. Its straight edge provides a perfect guide for your putter's path. Note that most people have a slightly curved path - very few putt "straight", but the key here is to ensure when you contact the ball the face is straight, which means you should be precisely in the centre of the arc. If not, try moving the ball back or forward until you are naturally in that spot at contact.
4. Create the Ball Gate (Optional but Recommended): Place two tees or ball markers about a foot in front of the StanceMate, creating a second "gate" just wider than a golf ball. This is the gate your ball must roll through.

The Drill

With your station built, the practice is simple and provides amazing feedback.

1. Path Training: Take your setup using the StanceMate. Make practice strokes focusing on keeping the toe of your putter moving parallel to the edge of the central ruler. This immediately shows you if you have a tendency to take the putter outside or inside the correct path.
2. Start Line Training: Place a ball in its correct position. Your goal is simple: stroke the putt so the ball rolls perfectly through the gate you created a foot in front.
3. The Feedback:
   • If the ball hits the inside of the gate, your putter face was closed at impact (a pull) - try the ball back a bit in your stance.
   • If the ball hits the outside of the gate, your putter face was open at impact (a push) - try the ball back a bit in your stance.
   • If the ball rolls through cleanly, your path and face were perfect.

This drill combines all the fundamentals of putting into one station. It locks in your stance, ball position, alignment, path, and face angle. It replaces the guesswork of tees with the precision of a measured system. Work on this drill for 15 minutes, and you'll become a master of your start line.

A note about putting mirrors

We are a big fan of using a putting mirror to get over the top of the ball. Everyone should try it. But if it just doesn;t come naturally to you, you are NOT going to be able to replicate it on the greens during a round. Go with what you are able to consistently achieve. "Natural" is better for the average golfer.