How to Set Up and Play the Putting Circle Game

The putting circle game is a simple practice drill that helps you test and improve your short putting from different angles around the hole. Set up a circle of tees, putt from each station, then record your score so you can track progress over time.

What you'll need

• A putter
• Golf balls — 8 is ideal, but you can use fewer and replace them as you go
• Tees — 8 is ideal for a full circle
• A phone to record your score in HandyGolf

1. Mark out your putting stations

Start by placing tees around the hole to create a circle of putting stations.

For a 3-foot putting circle drill, use your putter as a measuring guide:

1. Lay your putter down from the hole.
2. Place a tee just outside one putter length from the hole.
3. Repeat this all the way around the hole until you have a full circle of stations.

Try to space the tees evenly so you practise putts from different angles.

2. Adjust the distance if needed

You can use the same method to create different circle sizes:

• 3-foot circle: roughly one putter length from the hole
• 4-foot circle: one putter length plus about another third of a putter length
• 6-foot circle: roughly two putter lengths from the hole

This makes it easy to set up the drill without needing a tape measure.

3. Place your golf balls

Put one golf ball at each tee station. If you do not have eight golf balls, use the balls you have and replace them as you work your way around the circle.

4. Play the putting circle game

Work your way around the hole, hitting one putt from each station.

A useful way to play is:

1. Start at one tee.
2. Hit the putt.
3. Move to the next station.
4. Continue around the circle until all putts have been attempted.

Be mindful of the tees as you putt, especially if they are close to your line or stance.

5. Clear the hole when needed

As you make putts, the hole may start to fill with balls. If this happens, remove the made balls and place them to one side so they do not get mixed up with balls still to be putted.

6. Record your score

You can record each putt as you go, but this can slow the drill down. A quicker method is to complete the circle first, then enter your score on your phone.

For example, if you make 3 putts, enter 3 as your score. Then confirm the result so the game saves and your stats are updated.

Practice tip

Repeat the drill regularly from the same distance so you can track improvement. Once you become confident from 3 feet, increase the challenge by moving out to a 4-foot or 6-foot putting circle.