MESSEN · PUTT-BASELINE

Three-circle drill as a putting baseline (3, 6, 9 m).

The three-circle drill is the most established putting baseline for senior golfers. 3 balls from 3, 6, and 9 meters - the percentage shows true putting performance. How the drill is set up, what the senior benchmarks are, and how it is used as a progress-tracking tool.

MA three-putt drill started at 27 percent. After 8 weeks of putting practice: 43 percent. This increase was measurable—and translated directly into 1.5 fewer strokes per round. The three-putt drill is the simplest, most honest, and most effective putting measurement method for senior players.

The Three-Putt Drill measures putting performance across the three most important senior putt distances: 3 meters (birdie/par save), 6 meters (mid-range putts), and 9 meters (long putts, lag avoidance). Take 3 balls from each distance. The overall percentage shows performance. Senior standard for putt baseline.

Three-Circle Drill Setup

Step 1 — Mark three circles

_3, 6, 9 METERS._.

On the practice green, mark three circles with radii of 3, 6, and 9 meters around a hole. Tees, coins, or tee markers work. Important: consistent distances across all training sessions.

Step 2 — Three balls per distance

9 BALLS TOTAL.

Practice three putts from every distance — from different positions on the circle (left, center, right). Various slopes, various lines. Senior realism.

Step 3 — Calculate Quote

✓ HOLE IN ONE / 9.

Percentage = Balls holed / 9 × 100. Example: 4 out of 9 holed = 44 percent. Senior standard: 30–50 percent. Over 50 % = very good. Under 25 % = needs practice.

27 → 43 %

Typical improvement in putting accuracy after 8 weeks of structured training

MyTPI Senior Putt Database 2024

The three-circle drill as a baseline + follow-up measurement is the simplest putting improvement for seniors.

Three tips for the three-circle drill

Tip 1 — Weekly Routine

✓ EVERY SUNDAY, 15 MIN.

Establish the three-circle drill as a weekly routine — e.g., 15 minutes on the practice green every Sunday. Consistency produces comparability, comparability produces a picture of progress.

Tip 2 — Record the first quote in writing

✓ SET THE BASELINE.

Record your initial drill quota in writing as a baseline. Use Excel, Notion, or a training log. Comparing the data after 4, 8, and 12 weeks reveals trends. Senior-level discipline = tracking in writing.

Tip 3 — Consistency in drilling, not variety in drilling

✓ EXACTLY THE SAME METHOD.

Structure every practice session exactly the same way—same practice green area, same hole, same distances. Variation undermines comparability. Senior measurement disciplines require standardization.

The three-circle drill is the most useful putting baseline a senior golfer can adopt. Simple, repeatable, honest.

— Stan Utley, Putting Coach

Three Senior Three Circles Applications.

Putt Coach Recommendation

Before every Putt-Pro lesson: bring the current three-circle score as a basis for assessment. The pro will have the data right away.

Racket Test Tool

New putter? Measure before and after with the three-circle drill. Club comparison based on data, not feel.

Pre-competition mental routine

Before senior competitions: Three-circle drill as a warm-up + confidence. The score reflects current form.

On this page

ON THIS PAGE

01 Structure of the Drill

02 Three drilling tips

03 What Drill Can't Replace

Mathias Struwe

PUBLISHER · HCP 31 · 68 YRS.

30-50 %

Senior Standard routine in the three-circle drill.

REFERENCE

Broadie, M. (2014): Every Shot Counts. TrackMan Performance Database 2024. MyTPI Senior Performance Research. PGA Tour Stats 2014–2024. IAGTO Senior Golf Analysis 2024.

What the Three-Circle Drill Doesn't Replace

The three-putt drill measures putting performance – but it doesn't replace stroke mechanics training or green-reading practice. Senior players with low drill completion rates need a putting coach's diagnosis (e.g., SAM PuttLab) to clarify the root causes. The drill is a measurement tool, not therapy.

THREE FIRST STEPS