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Struggling with distance control on the greens? LPGA Professional Kelly Brooke shares a simple, measurable putting drill that takes the guesswork out of short putts. Using just a yardstick and one easy rule, she shows how to stop leaving putts short or racing them past the hole.
LPGA Professionals – Putting
In this video, Kelly Brooke introduces the 1-inch putting rule — a practical drill designed to help beginners and intermediate golfers regulate their backswing length and stop those costly distance errors. By matching inches of backswing to feet of putt, the technique brings consistency and confidence to short-range putting. It is a straightforward concept that is easy to practise and immediately applicable on the course.
Key Takeaways
Match your backswing to your putt length
Match your backswing to your putt length
For every foot of putt you face, take the putter back just one inch — so a 3-foot putt needs a 3-inch backswing.
Always accelerate through impact
Kelly emphasises following through at least as far as the backswing, and ideally a little further, to ensure the putter is still accelerating at the ball rather than decelerating.
Use a yardstick to train your feel
Laying a yardstick on the ground gives you a visual reference for backswing length, making it easier to build the correct habit before taking it onto the green.
Next time you practise, lay a yardstick down and work through the 3-foot and 6-foot distances Kelly demonstrates — even ten minutes of focused repetition can sharpen your feel significantly. This drill is ideal for beginners and mid-handicap golfers who want a reliable, no-fuss way to take control of their putting distance.
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