Set it up
- Pick a fairly flat area of the practice green with room for about 40 feet of putting.
- Push a tee in where you'll putt from. Then place three tees in a line away from you, roughly 10, 20 and 30 feet out, and one more at 40 feet. Paces are fine.
- Take five balls.
Run the ladder
Putt the first ball so it finishes just past the 10-foot tee. Each next ball has to finish past the previous ball but not more than a putter-length beyond it. Work your way up the ladder with all five balls. If a ball comes up short of the one before, or runs more than a putter-length past it, start again.
Once you can climb with five balls, reverse it: start long and make each ball finish a little shorter than the one before. Going down the ladder is harder, and it's the feel you need for downhill putts.
Make it a game: Ladder 21
Play to 21 points, alone or against a friend.
| Result | Points |
|---|---|
| Ball finishes within a putter-length past the target tee | 2 |
| Ball finishes short of the tee, or more than a putter-length past | 0 |
| Holed into a tee-gate you set at the far end (bonus) | 3 |
Putt to the tees in random order; your partner calls the target before you set up. Random targets are closer to the course than climbing in order.
Finish with the circle
End every session with a short-putt circle: place four balls around the hole at about three feet (north, south, east, west) and hole all four in a row. Then move to four feet. A long lag means nothing if the next one lips out, and finishing on makes means you leave the green with confidence.
Why it works
Distance control comes from the length of your stroke and a steady rhythm, not from hitting harder or softer at the last moment. Climbing a ladder forces small, measured changes in stroke length, which is the skill a long first putt needs. If you play Snake with your friends, this is your antidote.
Questions people actually ask
How often should I do the ladder drill?
Two or three times a week for 10 to 15 minutes beats one long session.
Can I do it at home?
Yes, on a long putting mat or carpet; use coins or tape marks instead of tees.
What's a good score in Ladder 21?
Track your own number of putts to reach 21 and try to lower it over time.
General practice ideas for recreational golfers, not personal coaching. If something hurts, stop and see a qualified professional.