Drain 3-Foot Putts: A Top 100 Teacher’s Simple Guide

The frustration is familiar to any golfer who’s stood over a short putt, the weight of the moment seemingly amplifying every twitch and doubt. That three-footer, the one you *should* make, suddenly feels like the most difficult shot on the course. But according to David Armitage, a GOLF Top 100 Teacher, conquering those pressure-packed putts isn’t about mechanical adjustments or complex strategies – it’s about simplifying the process and trusting a solid setup.

Armitage’s core philosophy, as outlined in a recent instructional piece on Golf.com, centers around the idea that you’ve already “holed this putt before you’ve holed it.” The key, he argues, isn’t about trying to *make* the putt, but rather ensuring a correct setup that makes success almost inevitable. “It’s all about setup, and if you set up correctly, you cannot miss this putt,” Armitage states.

Grab Time to Line It Up – Never Give the Hole Away

The first step in Armitage’s five-step process is deliberate alignment. He emphasizes the importance of taking a few extra seconds to properly line up the ball, resisting the urge to rush. “Ninety-five percent of this putt is already done once the ball’s on the ground and it’s lined up,” he explains. While Armitage personally prefers utilizing the line on the golf ball, he stresses that consistency is paramount. Whether golfers choose to use a line, the ball’s logo, or a built-in alignment aid, the crucial element is establishing a reliable method for aiming correctly each time.

Crucially, Armitage points out that putts of this length typically don’t break significantly. “There’s not much break in these putts,” he says. “It’s normally inside the hole.” when selecting a line, golfers should avoid overestimating the potential break and “giving away the hole” by aiming too far to the side.

Focus on Speed, Not the Line

Once the ball is aligned, Armitage advises golfers to shift their focus from direction to speed. He notes that many amateurs grow preoccupied with avoiding missing left or right, filling their minds with “don’ts” that hinder their stroke. Instead, he recommends concentrating solely on pace. “I would never think about anything other than pace or commitment [during the stroke],” he says. By prioritizing speed, golfers reinforce their trust in the line they’ve already chosen and execute a more confident stroke.

Think: Toe-to-Toe for Your Stroke

Armitage also emphasizes the importance of a short, efficient putting stroke. “If your stroke gets long, it’s wrong,” he cautions, explaining that a longer stroke introduces more opportunities for manipulation and deceleration. To help golfers maintain a compact stroke, he suggests using their toes as a guide. The technique involves taking the putter back to the trail toe and finishing the follow-through at the front toe. “Now that putter is moving efficiently,” Armitage says. “You don’t need a long stroke for a 3-footer, unless you’re playing on greens that are very, very slow.”

Listen for the Ball to Go In

A common mistake among amateur golfers is lifting their head to watch the ball drop into the hole. Armitage offers a counterintuitive solution: listen for the ball to go in. “That sound, for me, is something that I want to hear,” he says. “And the key is if I don’t hear that sound, I missed it. So, I don’t need to glance up to know if I missed it or holed it.” This technique encourages golfers to maintain a stable head position and trust their stroke, rather than interfering with their natural putting motion.

Expect to Make These Putts

The final, and perhaps most crucial, element of Armitage’s approach is cultivating a mindset of expectation. “Always expect to have to hole this putt,” he says. “Always look forward to holing it. Want to hole it.” This proactive mindset prepares golfers to embrace the pressure of short putts, rather than fearing them. By consistently expecting to make these putts, regardless of the situation, golfers can build confidence and improve their performance on the course.

Armitage’s insights, recently highlighted on both Golf.com and Instagram, offer a practical and mental framework for transforming those dreaded three-footers into automatic makes. The emphasis on setup, speed, and a confident mindset provides a clear path for golfers of all levels to improve their putting consistency and reduce the pressure on the greens.