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Struggling with those nagging three- and four-footers? PGA Golf Coach Dr. Alison Curdt explains why speed control is the foundation of good putting — and shares a simple drill to help you find the right pace every time. Get this right and you’ll start seeing far fewer three-putts.
Dr. Alison Curdt – Putting
In this short video, Dr. Alison Curdt tackles one of the most common frustrations in golf: missing putts you feel you should be making. Using a training aid called a speed bump, she demonstrates why hitting your short putts with the right firmness — not too soft, not too hard — is what gives the ball the best chance of holding its line and dropping. It’s a practical lesson that will quickly make sense on the practice green.
Key Takeaways
Avoid the “drip” puttRolling the ball too softly into the hole leaves it vulnerable to slope and break, increasing the chance of a miss even on short putts.
Avoid the “drip” puttRolling the ball too softly into the hole leaves it vulnerable to slope and break, increasing the chance of a miss even on short putts.
Don’t overcorrect by hammering itHitting short putts too firmly might neutralise some break, but a miss leaves you with a five-footer coming back instead of the original three.
Train with a speed bumpPlacing a slightly elevated cup over the hole forces you to putt with just enough firmness to climb the ramp — too soft deflects the ball offline, too hard rams it past, teaching you the ideal pace through instant feedback.
Take this concept to the practice green and spend a few minutes with your short putts, focusing on that firm-but-controlled strike that holds the line without running well past. This video is ideal for golfers at any level who find three- and four-footers more stressful than they should be.
