There is nothing more maddening than having a well-struck putt deflect from line due to alignment. Beginner or seasoned, putting alignment means more putts and less score for everyone. With proper alignment putting drills, you can habituate your eyes, hands, and stroke toward establishing consistency around the greens.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best drills to fine-tune your putting golf ball alignment, eliminate errors, and get closer to making a reliable two putt (or fewer) on every hole.

Why Putting Alignment is the Key to a Better Game

Before jumping into drills, it’s important to understand why putting alignment is one of the biggest factors in putting success. Proper alignment ensures that:

• Your putter face is square at impact.

• The ball starts on the line you plan.

• You roll the ball towards the hole consistently.

• You eliminate unnecessary compensations in your stroke.

The majority of missed putts are not the result of poor strokes but rather incorrect setup and alignment. Practicing putting alignment drills will enable you to develop the muscle memory needed to approach any putt with confidence.

1. The Gate Drill for Perfect Aim

This traditional drill shows you how to start the ball on the correct line by perfecting your putter face alignment.

How to Set It Up:

1. Place two golf tees in the ground, slightly wider than the width of the putter head, 6 inches in front of the ball.

2. Place a flat putting golf ball between the tees.

3. Stand up to the target and roll the putt so the ball passes through the gate without touching the tees.

Why It Works:

• If the ball hits the tees, your impact face angle was improper.

• Encourages clean, solid contact for straight putts.

To make the drill more challenging, reduce the size of the gate for advanced practice.

2. The Chalk Line Drill for Straight Putts

This practice drill improves your ability to roll the ball straight into the hole.

How to Do It:

 1. Find a level spot on the green.

 2. Put a chalk line (or piece of string) down on the green as a visual aiming line.

 3. Place the putting golf ball on the line and align your putter face.

 4. Roll the ball straight down the line.

Why It Works:

• Provides instant feedback on face alignment and stroke path.

• Conditions your eyes to get properly aligned before the stroke.

This is an excellent drill to build confidence on short putts, which is a very critical component in achieving a consistent 2 putt or better.

3. The Mirror Drill for Eye and Shoulder Alignment

A mirror is a perfect instrument for checking whether your eyes, shoulders, and putter face are aligned correctly.

How to Set It Up:

1. Place a putting alignment mirror on the floor.

2. Place a golf ball in front of the mirror with your putter face aligned directly.

3. Stand with eyes over the ball and shoulders parallel to the target line.

4. Practice putting with alignment through the reflection in the mirror.

Why It Works:

• Helps golfers to get their head in the correct position.

• Maintains eyes and shoulders aligned for a repeatable put.

Once practiced with a mirror, alignment should be instinctive and consistent during play.

4. The Two Tee Gate Drill for Stroke Path

This drill enhances your stroke by halting improper movement and correct putting alignment at impact.

How to Set It Up:

1. Place two tees just outside your putter head at address.

2. Ensure there is just a small gap between the putter and the tees.

3. Stroke the ball without removing the putter from the tee gate.

Why It Works:

 • Keeps unwanted hand or wrist movement out of the way.

 • Fosters a smooth, consistent putting stroke.

This drill is perfect for golfers who struggle with a two putt due to lack of face control or irregular stroke mechanics.

5. The Coin Drill for Better Contact

The most common reason for putts going offline is mishits on the putter face. The Coin Drill is designed to hone your center-face contact.

How to Set It Up:

1. Place a coin or a marker on the rim of the top of your putter face.

2. Position the putting golf ball to the center of your putter.

3. Strike the putt, with the intention of striking the ball cleanly without the coin moving or falling off.

Why It Works:

• Forces you to hit the sweet spot each time.

• Reduces unnecessary movement throughout the putting stroke.

Consistent center contact equates into better distance control and alignment, enabling you to putt better when under pressure.

Final Thoughts: Train Smarter, Putt Better

If you’re struggling with alignment, accuracy, or confidence, these putting drills for alignment will provide a structured way to build consistency on the greens. Whether you’re working on short putts, stroke mechanics, or setup fundamentals, developing strong putting habits is the fastest way to achieve a reliable 2 putt on every green.

Key Takeaways:

✔ Proper alignment is crucial for consistent putting performance.

✔ Drills like the Gate Drill, Chalk Line Drill, and Mirror Drill improve accuracy.

✔ Building a repeatable putting stroke leads to better control and fewer putts per round.

Start integrating these putting alignment drills into your routine, and watch as your putting stroke transforms into one of the most reliable parts of your game. With practice and patience, you’ll see fewer putts per round and more confidence on every green!

Ready to up your putting? Use your flat putting golf balls and begin today!

Optimize Your Training with Suitable Equipment

For optimal effectiveness in these exercises, training using special putting alignment devices can work wonders. Our Flat Putting Golf Balls & Alignment Training Program are designed to develop your stroke using live feedback.

Check out our Two Putt Mastery Training Package and start rolling more putts today!