Improve Putting Rhythm and Tempo with the Metronome Technique
Discover the simple metronome putting drill tour professionals use to master rhythm and tempo. Learn how to improve putting distance control, hole more putts, and eliminate three-putts with this proven golf putting technique.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I improve my putting distance control?”—you’re not alone. For many golfers, inconsistent rhythm leads to poor tempo, leaving putts short, long, or offline. The fastest way to lower your scores is mastering putting rhythm and tempo. With one simple metronome drill, you can hole more putts, improve your putting consistency, and finally eliminate three-putting.
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Why Distance Control Lowers Scores
Distance control is the single most important putting skill. With good pace, all putts finish near the hole making it easy to eliminate three putting and reducing your score.
The Three Essential Putting Skills
Every golfer needs:
Distance control – the fastest path to lowering scores.
Direction – starting the ball on your chosen line.
Green reading – choosing the correct break and slope.
This drill focuses on distance control, which influences both direction and green reading.
The Pendulum Stroke and Rhythm
A consistent putting stroke is a pendulum. The secret is rhythm, and stroke size…not wrists or power driven muscle activity. When rhythm stays the same, distance control becomes easier to learn and more reliable.
The “One-Two” Rhythm Concept
Count “one-two” for every putt:
“One” = backswing.
“Two” = forward stroke.
Whether you’re rolling a 10-foot birdie putt or a 40-foot lag, the rhythm remains constant.
The Exact Metronome Setting Pros Use
Download a free metronome app and set it to 76 beats per minute (BPM)—the same (average) tempo of professionals. After some practice, you may adjust the beat up or down to hone in the perfect rhythm for you.
Hand Exercise for Timing
Before putting, rehearse rhythm using your hands only:
Tap to the beat.
Vary the size of the motion.
Get a feel for the swing and moment of impact cadence before using a putter.
Putting Drill with Metronome
With your putter:
Start on one beat.
Strike on the next beat.
Rhythm is the constant. Stroke size is the variable.
This drill builds consistent putting tempo and reliable speed control.
Bonus Tour-Proven Techniques
Hold Your Finish
Freeze your finish for 2 seconds after each putt. This creates subconscious learning and makes rhythm automatic.
Eye Control
Focus your eyes on the ball through impact. Hold for one beat of the metronome before rotating your eyes to track the putt. This improves start-line accuracy.
The Horseshoe Method
Just like playing horseshoes, focus your eyes on the target while you rehearse the perfect swing of the putter head. Move in rhythm, and when you feel in your gut like you’ve got the perfect swing, step in and execute.
Final Takeaway: Eliminate Three-Putts Forever
This metronome putting drill is simple, effective, and tour-proven. By mastering rhythm and tempo, you’ll:
Improve putting distance control.
Hole more putts consistently.
Eliminate three-putts for good.
