Ask a seasoned golfer and they'll tell you: putting can make or break your game. You may have a great long game and fantastic chip shots, but if you're not sinking those putts, the strokes add up in a flash. The secret to consistent putting? It's alignment.
Here in this article, we are going to analyze simple yet powerful alignment putting practice drills that allow you to line up each putt with confidence. Whether you are in the process of eliminating three-putts or consistently two-putting greens, these drills combined with the best putting golf ball training equipment like the flat golf ball can help transform your short game.
Why Putting Alignment Is Everything
Alignment is proper positioning of your body, eyes, putter face, and ball on the target line. No perfect stroke on earth can save you if you're aligned an inch off. That's why great players focus so intently on setup—because perfect alignment equates to more accuracy, control of speed, and confidence.
If you're missing more putts short than you should be, the problem isn't your stroke—it's your setup.
Enter the Flat Golf Ball: A Training Tool Game Changer
Having established the foundation of drills, let's talk about the tool that can give you feedback in an instant: the flat golf ball.
Unlike traditional putting golf balls, a flat golf ball has a low-profile, beveled design that exaggerates any flaw in your stroke. If you’re misaligned, swinging off-path, or have a shaky follow-through, it won’t roll straight. That’s exactly what makes it one of the best putting golf ball training aids on the market.
Using a flat golf ball helps identify:
- Poor alignment at address
- Off-center contact
- Face angle issues
- Inconsistent tempo or path
When it travels straight, you know you have the basics covered.
Drill #1: The Straight-Line Drill
Objective: Condition your eyes and hands to staying on a straight line from start to finish.
How to Do It:
1. Put an alignment stick or chalk line on the ground 6–8 feet long.
2. Set a flat golf ball on the line, 3 feet away from the hole or target.
3. Set your feet, eyes, and putter on the line.
4. Stroke the ball and observe what happens.
What to Expect:
- If the ball goes off line, your putter face might be out of alignment.
- A straight roll shows everything is lined up: eyes, shoulders, putter face.
This drill helps you stay aligned and helps you feel good about being lined up where you think you are.
Drill #2: Gate Drill using Putting Golf Balls
Purpose: Promote face angle and path consistency at impact.
How to Do It:
1. Place two tees in the grass slightly wider apart than your putter head.
2. Place a putting golf ball (or, better yet, a flat golf ball) 3–4 feet out.
3. Hit putts through the "gate" without touching the tees.
Pro Tip: Practice this with a flat golf ball to make any minute mistakes stand out. If your stroke isn't straight, it will wobble off line or not even pass through the gate.
This is one of the best alignment putting drills because it instantly instructs your stroke to stay square and centered.
Drill #3: Eyes Over the Ball Check
Goal: Put your body, specifically your eyes, in the right position over the ball.
How to Do It:
1. Stand over a putt as you normally do.
2. Put a regular putting golf ball or flat golf ball in front of your dominant eye.
3. Allow it to drop straight down.
What to Watch For:
• If it strikes your putting ball dead on, your eyes are in the correct position on the target line.
• If it strikes inside or outside, adjust your stance.
This simple check helps to solidify good posture and head position—two of the key elements to consistent alignment putting.
Drill #4: Start Line Drill with Alignment Aid
Purpose: Build trust in your starting line and green reading.
How to Do It
1. Place an alignment stick or string 12–18 inches in front of your putting golf ball.
2. Try to roll the ball under the string on a straight line.
3. Start with straight putts and then introduce a slight break.
Using a flat golf ball for this drill is incredibly effective—it either rolls cleanly under the string or it doesn’t. You’ll get immediate feedback on your stroke and your alignment.
Bonus Tip: Practice with Multiple Balls
Most of us only practice with one, but that discourages your ability to create rhythm and quick-fire adjustments. With multiple balls—especially flat golf balls—you can do quick-fire reps that improve feel, alignment, and tempo.
When you're practicing with one, you're beginning from scratch every time. With four, you can create consistency more rapidly and develop muscle memory.
How to Structure Your Practice Session
To most effectively use your alignment putting drills, practice in the following way:
- Warm-Up (5 mins): Flat, short golf ball putts to dial in the feel.
- Drill Time (15–20 mins): Choose 1–2 of the drills above.
- Game Simulation (10 mins): 10 random putts from varying distances with the goal of two-putting all of them.
- Cool Down (5 mins): Spend time on one confidence drill, e.g., the gate drill.
Consistency over time is crucial. Practicing 30–40 minutes multiple times a week will provide real results.
Final Thoughts: Putt With Confidence
There is nothing more fulfilling in golf than making putts consistently and watching your score get lower. By focusing on putting alignment, adding flat golf ball drills, and using feedback from training aids, you can take your game to the next level faster than you think.
The best news? You won't need to alter your putting stroke. You just have to align like a pro, train wisely, and trust the process.
So grab your training aid, put some putting golf balls down, and roll. The cup is waiting for you.
