Scottie Scheffler’s 3-target putting drill will simplify your short game
Try this Scottie Scheffler workout, as described by his conditioning coach Phil Kenyon.
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Welcome to Shaving Strokes, the GOLF.com series where we share the progress, lessons learned and takeaways from novice golfers like you — including the speed bumps and challenges they’ve faced along the way.
Another week, another win for Scottie Scheffler, with his latest win at the Travelers Championship last weekend defeating his friend Tom Kim in a playoff.
Do you really exist that Are you surprised by the result? Except for the fact that Scheffler was thrown into extra holes, probably not. After all, this world number one player has won six(!) tournaments this year, before the month of July. The last player to do that was Arnold Palmer, in 1962.
Yes, when it comes to the world of golf, it’s all Scheffler’s – everyone lives in it.
While there are obvious statistics that point to his success this year, one big improvement has come on the green, where Scheffler has moved up the charts in Strokes Gained: Putting this season.
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In comparison, last year he was ranked 162nd in that category. So far in 2024? He has seen a remarkable rise to 80, which is a remarkable improvement, and has clearly helped him to rack up win after win.
The man who helped Scheffler, Phil Kenyon, is famous for being a champion, so the fact that he has his fingers full of all this is not too surprising.
And while there are other keys and other factors that have led to Scheffler’s outstanding season thus far, Kenyon recently explained the 3-point drill that has played a big role in helping Scheffler keep his mind clear and his schedule streamlined. See how (and why) it works below.
How Scottie Scheffler’s 3-target putting drill works
Many golfers tend to focus on their mechanics during the swing. But Kenyon says Scheffler started using the device just before the Arnold Palmer Invitational to help bring out more of his natural athleticism.
“If you’re a very technical person in your thinking, and you want to try to be a bit reactive, this test will really help you,” Kenyon said.
Here’s how it works.
“I have three discs, which are my goals that I want the ball to roll – so I have to read the putt and pick the right line first,” added Kenyon. “I want to work back from the hole, putting the discs on the last part of the putt.”
The image below shows what the drill should look like.
Photo by Phil Kenyon
When three discs are lined up, Kenyon says you have to use your mind to decide where to start.
“I think the ball is going to roll inside these discs, so they don’t have to be completely in line,” Kenyon said. “Now I have learned the putt and I pointed out where the ball will pass. So as I’m going in, I’m really focused on where that ball is going in the hole.
“When I go in and aim, I use my senses where I need to start the ball to meet the swing. [and the line of those discs].”
After lining up over the putt and feeling where the ball should start to hit the line you’ve made, Kenyon then explains what your eyes should do before starting your backswing.
The following picture shows how you should feel.
Photo by Phil Kenyon
“I look down at those three discs and, as my eyes return, I want to hear where those discs are [with my peripheral vision]almost like I have a third eye on the side of my head,” he explained.
Once you find your alignment and you see and feel the curve of the discs, you hit your putt – hopefully your line is right where it should be, with the ball rolling inside those three discs.
Why these 3 target exercises improve Scheffler’s putting
Considering Scheffler’s touch with the flat stick has improved so far this year, it’s clear that Kenyon’s methods have made a difference. So what was the main reason? According to Kenyon, this particular hitting allows Scheffler to use his instincts and not focus on his mechanics all the time.
“It’s a great exercise to make it more focused on your goals,” Kenyon explains. “With [Scottie Scheffler] especially, because he used the line in football, he was very inward and very technical. That didn’t allow his good mechanics to come in.
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“When you work on your mechanics, it’s really easy to try and be perfect. But this [3-target drill] It’s the perfect focus you need on the golf course – as you need to hit your target. That will help you control your speed and focus your mind to let the stroke pass.”
While none of us will ever have the golf game that Scheffler does, the idea that he needs to be perfect is something that all players can relate to. That’s why Kenyon says these 3 targeted exercises can help eliminate that feeling.
He says: “It’s so easy to think about doing a complete stroke that, most of the time, the stroke just comes out and doesn’t work.” “So this is a very good exercise to focus more on those target points and react to those points.”
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