Drake Smith Shared Putting Drill on X
Former professional golfer and performance coach Drake Smith offered advice to help players master short putts.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Golf
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Should you prioritize short-distance putting practice over full-swing practice to improve your golf game?
Boulder-based performance coach Drake Smith posted a putting drill on X to help golfers improve their short game. Smith highlighted that making putts within six feet is essential for staying competitive.
Why it matters
Consistency from short range is a major factor in scoring, as players who struggle inside six feet often lose ground during competitive rounds. Smith believes mastering these distances keeps golfers in the game.
PGA Tour players maintain a 90 percent conversion rate on putts from 3 to 5 feet. Smith utilizes a 3-6-9 feet marking drill to help athletes refine their accuracy at these critical distances.
The players
Drake Smith
Drake Smith is a former professional golfer and current performance coach based in Boulder, Colorado.
The details
Smith, a former professional golfer, demonstrated a 3-6-9 drill that requires players to mark points at three, six, and nine feet on a putting green. The exercise addresses the reality that ball striking varies daily, making reliable putting a vital fallback skill for players.
Timeline
Drake Smith posted his putting advice on X on September 30, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This story follows the precedent set by the PGA Tour's ShotLink performance tracking system by highlighting the specific distance metrics required to maintain a professional standard of play. Improving proficiency at these ranges directly influences a player's ability to remain in contention during seasonal tournaments.
Amateur golfers can use the 3-6-9 drill to bridge the gap toward the 90 percent success rate seen by professionals on putts from 3 to 5 feet. Consistent practice at these specific intervals provides a measurable benchmark for improving performance during rounds.
The takeaway
Developing a reliable putting routine at short distances is a repeatable way for any golfer to reduce their total score. Players should focus on these fundamental distances to create a more consistent performance regardless of their daily ball-striking fluctuations.
Further reading
For more on improving your game, visit the Golf section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NDTVSports.
Live Poll
Should you prioritize short-distance putting practice over full-swing practice to improve your golf game?
