A visual warm-up that teaches pace before you chase accuracy.

The speed ladder idea

A putting ladder links distance to pace in a single, repeatable warm-up. From the 3‑foot putt to the 18‑foot target, you tune how far the ball travels with each stroke before you chase line.

• Distances in a row: 3', 6', 9', 12', 15', 18' on a single practice green.
• Aim: leave the ball inside a 1‑foot circle around the hole at each distance.
• Routine: one ball per distance, steady tempo, then move on.
• Equipment note: use your regular putter (typical loft around 3–4 degrees) and a single ball to keep feedback clean.

Pro Tip

Count to three on each stroke's backswing to establish a smooth, repeatable tempo. A calm, deliberate routine travels with you to the championship course.

Starting distances and purpose

Begin at 3 feet and progress to 18 feet. The ladder teaches you to pace for true distance control before you chase break or line.

• Why it works: distance control anchors your stroke so your accuracy improves when you read greens.
• What to watch: if you’re short, your pace is too slow; if you’re long, you’ve accelerated too much.
• Practical aim: build confidence from a tap‑in to a reasonable lag, then layer in green speed and slope later.

How to drill on a green

A clear progression keeps the drill honest and repeatable.

• Step 1: Set up at 3 feet, align to the hole, and roll to finish inside the 1‑foot radius.
• Step 2: Move to 6 feet, repeat with the same tempo and same target.
• Step 3: Continue through 9, 12, 15 and 18 feet.
• Step 4: After each distance, note whether the ball finished close enough. If not, adjust tempo slightly and try again.
• Step 5: Once comfortable, perform the ladder twice per session with a short break between rounds.

Pro Tip

Keep your eyes level and your head still through impact. Small movement shifts produce outsized changes in speed.

Common beginner pace mistakes

Avoid these to keep the ladder meaningful.

• Using one pace for all distances. Distance requires nuanced acceleration.
• Ignoring slope and green speed. Pace must adapt to grade.
• Over‑gripping or tensing shoulders. Tension kills touch.
• Rushing the backswing. A quick takeaway spreads energy and ruins distance control.
• Overthinking line before speed. Pace first, then refine the line.

Tracking made effortless

Make feedback immediate and portable.

• Use a compact scorecard: mark “in” or “not in” for each distance.
• Add a quick note: feel, tempo cue, or any slope you faced.
• Review every session: look for consistency at two consecutive distances and measure progress over weeks.

What’s next Lag putting and distance control on fast greens. A companion read will extend the ladder into longer putts and green speed management.