In golf, few things are more satisfying than coming in on the green with a solid two putt. It might not thrill the masses like a birdie, but a reliable two-putt approach is a secret to lowering your handicap and feeling more confident in your short game.

For the average golfer, lost putts come down to one big issue: poor alignment. How accurate your stroke or how powerful your swing is, your ball will not travel where you desire it to if you are not aligned. It's as simple as that. Because of this, putting alignment practice drills are so vital. These easy, replicable practice sessions can transform your game and the 2 putt your new standard.

Throughout this guide, we will break down important drills, equipment, and techniques to allow you to master alignment and create consistent putting performance.

Why Alignment Matters with Putting

Alignment is the silent killer in most putting mistakes. With poor focus and posture, your chances of making putts—or even producing simple second putts—dramatically fall. Most amateur golfers convince themselves they are properly aligned, only to have putts consistently go off line.

How to repair it? Alignment practice putting with the correct gear in the shape of a flat golf ball or accuracy putting golf ball that gives immediate feedback on direction of the stroke and face control.

What Is a Flat Golf Ball?

While a standard ball is curved ever so slightly to enhance the feeling of your putter stroke, a flat ball is specifically altered to enhance the return in response to you. It will wobble or go off line if hit off center or with a face that is not square when hit perfectly it goes straight and smooth. Instant feedback is wonderful for creating the muscle memory to eliminate incorrect habits.

Drill 1: The Gate Alignment Drill

Purpose: To enhance stroke path and face angle of approach at impact.

Setup:

• Put two tees or coins slightly wider than the width of your putter's head.

• Set up a flat golf ball or standard golf ball for putting between the two.

• Align with a target hole or point on the green some 5–6 feet away.

Execution:

• Your objective is to roll the ball through the gate without striking the tees.

• If the ball strikes a tee, your swing was off-line.

• Do a repetition set until you're rolling the ball through the gate without touching it consistently.

Pro Tip: Use a flat ball for more challenge and instant alignment and swing-quality feedback.

Drill 2: The Chalk Line Drill

Purpose: To create positive alignment and imagery.

Setup:

• Create a straight line from your ball to the hole (or a target) with sidewalk chalk or a putting alignment string.

• Position your ball on the line and make sure the line on your ball aligns with the chalk line.

Execution:

• Putt along the line with practice, maintaining your setup and eye position.

• Observe the ball traveling along the line and notice where it deviates.

Benefit: This drill forces you to create consistency in your pre-shot routine, line, and swing. Over time, this yields more consistent 2 putt outcomes on the course.

Drill 3: Clock Face Drill for Consistent 2-Putts

Do: To improve lag putting and create two putt confidence from varying distances.

Installing:

• Place tees or balls in a clockwise circle around a hole—3 feet, 6 feet, and 9 feet out, as if on the face of a clock.

• Add some standard golf balls along with a flat golf ball for added challenge.

Procedure:

• Start at the closest point and go around the clock, setting down each ball.

• Should you sink one, start again.

• You want to sink each putt or have a brief, makeable second.

How it Works: This drill gets you into a rhythm and a consistency, which means your initial putt is going to leave you with a tap-in—one of the best means of scoring a 2 putt on a regular basis.

Drill 4: Eyes-Closed Alignment Drill

Purpose: To develop internal awareness of body alignment.

Setup:

• Place a ball 5 feet from the hole.

• Stand with your eyes open and take one practice swing.

Doing It:

• Close your eyes, make the stroke, and observe the outcome.

• Do 5–10 reps.

What to Learn: Pay attention to your feel compared to actual results. Misalignment reveals itself with this drill. A flat golf ball added will provide more visible and useful feedback.

Tools to Improve Alignment Practice

Aside from drills, the proper equipment can make a difference. These are essentials to maximize training:

• Flat Golf Balls: Deliver unmatched feedback and help you sharpen your stroke.

• Putting Mirrors: Permit you to confirm shoulder, eye, and putter face alignment in real-time.

• Putting Mats with Guides: Perfect for home practice so you can make it consistent.

The 2-Putt Mindset

Fantastic putting is more about mindset than technique. Seeking perfection can be intimidating—but seeking 2 putt consistency? That's achievable, effective, and confidence-inspiring.

Here's what you gain from alignment-based drills:

• Fewer three-putts

• Additional makeable second putts

• Improved pre-shot routine

• More mental concentration when it counts

The professionals know this—and now you do too.

Conclusion: Build Your Two-Putt Confidence Today

Alignment is the foundation of a solid putting stroke. Without it, the greatest stroke ever played won't find the hole. By adding putting alignment drills to your practice routine—and training with special equipment such as the flat golf ball—you set yourself up for consistent, assured performance on every green.

Start small. Be consistent. Track your progress. And before long, you’ll notice how many more two putt holes you’re walking away from—and how much more fun golf becomes.

Ready to master the green? Explore our 8-week Putting Alignment Training Program, complete with 4 flat putting golf balls, and finally build that unshakeable 2 putt confidence.