How to Build Confidence Over Short Putts

Why Short Putts Mess with Your Head

Short putts should be easy. They’re right there. Three to six feet away. You’ve made hundreds of them before.

But that’s exactly why they’re so tricky. You expect to make them—so when one lips out or misses badly, your confidence takes a hit.

Suddenly, your stroke feels tighter. You second-guess your line. You start hoping instead of putting with conviction.

The truth is, confidence over short putts isn’t just about positive thinking. It comes from the right mix of routine, repetition, and mechanics.

In this article, you’ll learn how to eliminate fear and build a stroke you can trust—so short putts become automatic.

The Real Reason You Miss Short Putts

Most missed short putts aren’t about misreading the break. They’re about tension, poor setup, or lack of commitment.

When pressure builds, your body tenses up. You rush the stroke. Your hands get jumpy. You decelerate.

Even a tiny error in face angle or path can send a short putt offline. And when you miss one, the fear creeps in for the next.

Confidence is built by removing doubt. That starts with a consistent routine and stroke you’ve practiced.

When your setup, aim, and motion are dialed in, your mind has nothing left to question.

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Building a Repeatable Routine

Confidence thrives on consistency. A good pre-putt routine gives your mind something reliable to focus on—every time you step over a putt.

Start with your read. Commit to your line before anything else. Doubt kills short putts.

Then set the putter down square to your target. Align your feet, shoulders, and eyes next.

Take one or two rehearsal strokes. Feel the motion you want—not too much, just enough to engage your body.

Step in, take a final look, and go. No lingering. No second thoughts.

A solid routine builds rhythm and shuts down nerves. It tells your brain: “I’ve done this before. Let’s roll it.”

Mechanics You Can Trust Under Pressure

Your short putting stroke doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to be reliable.

Keep it compact. No big backswing. No forced follow-through. Short putts need control, not power.

Add a slight forward press if you tend to freeze over the ball. It’s a great trigger to keep the stroke flowing.

Accelerate through the ball. Deceleration is a top cause of short putt misses.

Stay centered and quiet. Let your shoulders do the work—not your hands or wrists.

Grip pressure should be firm but relaxed. If you’re squeezing tight, your stroke will get jerky.

The best short putters keep it simple, repeatable, and calm—especially when the pressure rises.

Confidence-Boosting Drills

The best way to build trust in your short putts is through structured, pressure-tested practice. These drills help you train mechanics and mental focus at the same time.

➤ Circle Drill

Place 5 balls in a circle around the hole, each about 3 feet away. Your goal is to make all 5 in a row.

Once you do, move the balls back to 4 feet. Then 5 feet. If you miss one, start that set over.

This drill builds rhythm and repetition under light pressure. It also helps you see putts fall from different angles.

➤ Ladder Drill

Start with a putt from 2 feet. Make it, then move to 3 feet. Then 4. Then 5.

You must make each putt in sequence to “climb the ladder.” Miss one, and you go back to the start.

This trains focus and helps you stay committed with each step back.

➤ Make It Twice Drill

Pick a short putt and make it two times in a row before moving to a new location. If you miss the second one, start over.

This simulates what it feels like to close a hole or finish a round strong. It also teaches you to reset between strokes.

Drills like these develop consistency and give you proof that your stroke works—so your confidence grows with every session.

Mindset Shift: Focus on Process, Not Outcome

The biggest mental mistake you can make over a short putt is thinking, “Don’t miss.”

That mindset creates tension. You try to steer the ball instead of stroking it.

Instead, shift your focus to the process. Think about starting the ball on line. Executing your routine. Making a smooth stroke.

The outcome will take care of itself when the process is solid.

Train yourself to commit fully to your read and routine—then let go. Whatever happens, you did your job.

This mindset removes fear and puts your attention where it belongs—on doing what you practiced.

Conclusion: Short Putts Should Be a Strength

Short putts don’t have to be scary. With a clear routine, sound mechanics, and focused practice, they can become the most confident part of your game.

You don’t need to make every one—but you do need to give each a committed, controlled stroke.

The more you practice with purpose, the more your body learns what a good short putt feels like.

And when you trust your routine and process, pressure fades. That’s when you start rolling them in—one confident stroke at a time.

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Thanks for reading today’s article!

Nick Foy – Golf Instructor