Pressure practice games

Setup

1. Mark three putting stations around one hole at a range each player holes most of the time, but not always.
2. Pair players up for head-to-head games; spare pairs take another hole.
3. On the range part, everyone stays on one hitting line, a clear gap apart, nobody forward of the line until the coach calls it clear.

How it runs

1. Match the putt: A1 putts from station one; if they hole it, B1 must hole from the same spot to halve the point. Miss and the other player wins it. The loser of each point putts first at the next station. First to three points.
2. Must-make circle: each player must hole every ball from all the stations in a row. A miss sends them back to the start. Record how many attempts it took.
3. Last ball counts (range): nine balls to a called target, but only the last ball scores. Players go through their full routine on every ball.
4. Consequences stay light: the loser collects balls, or starts the next game one point down.
5. After each game, players say one thing they did well under pressure (routine, breathing, decision).

Coaching points

• Same routine every time: it is the anchor when the shot matters.
• Commit to the read and the line, then make a free stroke. Doubt during the stroke costs more than a slightly wrong line.
• A slow breath out before stepping in settles the body.
• Focus on what can be controlled (routine, target, tempo), not on the score.

Common mistakes

• Skipping the routine when the putt feels easy, then rushing it.
• Changing the line at the last moment.
• Steering the ball towards the hole instead of rolling it.
• Treating a miss as a disaster; it is information, then move on.