Distance control in putting practice and regular play is extremely important. Pros say that distance control is more important than face angle at impact. This article goes into how to practice it indoors or on the practice green.
Up until recently, I had to focus on 10 foot putts or shorter during the winter. That has all changed with the EXPUTT RG putting simulator.
Here is our review of the EXPUTT RG putting simulator.
I’ve been able to dial in my face angle at impact reasonably well on putts from 5 feet to 50 feet. My distance control on putts over 30 feet needs some work.
Let’s look at the setup I’ve settled on for now to help measure backstroke distance.
Setup Overview
I’m going to go over what works for me and hope that something similar will work for you. By that I mean, my stance, ball position, eye line, and backstroke may not be the same as yours.
However, the details on the distance control setup will apply. You may just need to move the setup to your preferred eyeline and ball position.
Example: I play putts off my left toe. My eyeline is just inside the ball and my left eye is inline with the middle back of the ball. I’m right eye dominant. My right eye is slightly behind the ball. Links below.
Indoor Setup
The putting practice setup I use the most is with my EXPUTT RG simulator.
I found myself struggling on longer putts.
Why? I haven’t played on a real course since the cold weather started for one. Plus, the longest putt I can practice on an indoor mat was 10 feet.
My Wellputt mat has distance and backstroke indicators on it for 3 feet, 6 feet and 10 feet. The other mats have a 6 feet maximum. These mats are great for honing your shorter putts and face angle at impact.
The images below are my setup for distance control indoors using the EXPUTT RG.
For stance, my feet are placed are at “0 inches” and about “10 inches.” In other words, about two putter widths apart.
I use my feet to judge backstroke length on putts. Therefore, I practice indoors and outdoors using known distances from backstroke “memory” and repetition.
Note: This has a lot to do with feel in real time. I don’t look at the ruler on a 50 footer. You have to approximate the backstroke and find a way to repeat it. The more times you practice the better you will get at it.
Stroke Length
10 Stimp Surface
Note: These are ballpark numbers and work for me.
Putter head weight will be a factor.
The markers are on the alignment rod above.
Length of putt = backstroke length in chart below.
- 5ft = 5 inches (3rd marker)
- 10ft = 7 inches (4th marker)
- 10ft = 9 inches (5th marker)
- 20ft = 12 inches (6th marker)
- 25ft = 15 inches (7th marker)
- 30ft = 17 inches (8th marker)
- 35ft = 19 inches (9th marker)
- 40ft = 21 inches (10th marker)
- 45ft = 23 inches (11th marker)
- 50ft = 25 inches (12th marker)
Components
The components for distance control during indoor putting practice are:
- EXPUTT RG putting simulator
- Alignment rod with electrical tape every 2 inches
- Metal rule
putting mat. It gives you an intermediate aim point. I used
a laser to line up the ball position with the end of the mat.
Outdoor Setup
I have two alignment rods with tape on them like the one above.
I keep one at home and the other one is in my golf bag all the time.
Use the alignment rod for backstroke length measurement during practice putting.
You could use tees, ball markers, divot tools, or coins, etc. for backstroke length guides.
I carry a small tape measure in my bag, so I could use something other that an alignment rod.
Components
- Alignment rod or device
- Target holes
- Ball markers
- Divot tools
- Tees
- I use poker chips for start locations.
- Aim targets for longer putts
- Measuring tape
Here are some example images:
I use alignment rods for a lot of practice setups, but there are other options.
I use target holes on unused portions of the practice green so I don’t have to deal with lots of foot traffic. Here is a link to my normal setup for 3 feet to 30 feet.
Divot tools for distance markers to putt from
I have a hard time judging distance after about 35 feet. I put these 3 or 4 feet beyond the hole at 40 feet, 45, feet and 50 feet. The idea is that I have a target that is easier to see. Our putting green has lots of undulation.
I use these for putting practice setup for distance control. It’s a good idea to keep an extra small measuring tape in your golf bag for pre-round use. I use The Perfect Putter and a tape to measure stimp also.