String line putting drills are some of the fastest ways to stop missing 5-footers because they remove guessing from your practice. A putting string line shows whether your eyes are aligned, whether your putter face is square at impact, and whether the ball actually starts on the line you intended.
Most golfers miss short putts for one of three reasons: poor start line, poor face control, or practicing without honest feedback. A string line fixes that because the ball either rolls under the string or it does not. There is no hiding from the result.
This guide gives you three practical string line drills: the Straight Lead Drill, the Apex Drill, and the Pressure Gate Drill. Use them on the practice green before a round, on a home putting mat, or as part of a weekly putting routine.
If you need the basic setup first, read our putting string line guide. If you are choosing between a pro kit and a budget setup, see our best putting string line kits comparison.
Quick Verdict
The best string line drill for 5-footers is the Straight Lead Drill. Find a flat 5-foot to 6-foot putt, set the string directly over the start line, and keep practicing until you can roll 10 putts in a row perfectly under the line.
The best drill for breaking putts is the Apex Drill. Instead of aiming the string directly at the hole, aim it at the start line or high point where the ball must begin before the slope brings it back.
The best drill for pressure is the Pressure Gate Drill. Add two tees just in front of the ball or near the hole and force the ball to start under the string while also passing through a narrow gate.
3 String Line Drills: Quick Comparison
| Drill | Best For | Main Skill | Difficulty |
| Straight Lead Drill | 5-foot straight putts | Start line and face control | Beginner to advanced |
| Apex Drill | Breaking putts | Aim point and speed-line matching | Intermediate |
| Pressure Gate Drill | Short-putt pressure | Start line under consequence | Advanced |
| Bonus: Ball Line Roll Check | End-over-end roll | Strike quality and face control | Beginner |
How TopGolfe Evaluates Putting String Line Drills
A good putting drill should do more than make you feel busy on the practice green. It should give immediate feedback, isolate a real skill, and transfer to the course when the training aid is removed.
- Start-line feedback: The drill should show whether the ball begins on the intended line.
- Face-control feedback: On short putts, the putter face has a major influence on where the ball starts.
- Eye alignment: The drill should help reveal whether your setup makes the line look correct.
- Pressure transfer: The drill should include a way to make practice feel more like the course.
- Simple setup: A drill you can repeat often is better than a complicated drill you never use.
For clean ball-line feedback, pair these drills with our best golf ball marker stencil guide. For a full training-aid setup, see our best collapsible golf alignment sticks guide.
Best Tools for These String Line Drills
You can do all three drills with a dedicated putting string line kit or a DIY setup. The kit is cleaner and faster. The DIY version is cheaper and still works if the string is straight, tight, and aimed correctly.
1. Golf Putting String Line Kit — Best Overall Tool
A golf putting string line kit is the best tool for these drills because it gives you a repeatable elevated line above the ball. That elevated line helps you check eye alignment, putter-face aim, stroke path, and whether the ball starts on the correct line.
The biggest advantage over DIY is setup speed. When you practice before a round, you do not want to spend 10 minutes tying knots and adjusting loose string. A proper kit makes the drill cleaner, tighter, and easier to repeat.
Use this if you practice putting regularly, coach juniors, play competitive golf, or want a serious practice tool that fits in your golf bag.
Best For
A putting string line kit is best for golfers who want fast, repeatable start-line feedback for short putts and breaking putts.
Pros
- Best overall setup for string line drills.
- Faster and cleaner than DIY string.
- Useful for straight putts, breaking putts, and pressure gates.
- Helps with start line, eye alignment, and face control.
- Good for home mats and practice greens if the kit works on your surface.
Cons
- Costs more than a DIY mason line setup.
- Still gives bad feedback if aimed incorrectly.
- Some practice greens may not allow stakes or training aids.
A golf putting string line kit is the Amazon product category to check first if you want the easiest setup for these drills. Verify that the kit includes a string plus posts, stakes, or anchors before buying.
2. High-Visibility Mason Line — Best DIY Option
High-visibility mason line is the best budget option if you want to build your own putting string line. Fluorescent yellow, orange, or pink line is easier to see than regular household string, especially on a green practice surface.
Use two alignment sticks, two tees, two pencils, or two small stakes to hold the line. Pull it tight, raise it above the ball, and aim it exactly at your start line. The DIY version works if you take alignment seriously.
The biggest downside is repeatability. A DIY line can sag, move, or point slightly offline. That does not make it bad. It just means you need to check the setup before every drill.
Best For
High-visibility mason line is best for golfers who want the cheapest way to try string line putting drills before buying a dedicated kit.
High-visibility mason line is the Amazon product to check if you want a low-cost DIY putting string setup.
3. Golf Ball Marker Stencil — Best Roll Feedback Add-On
A golf ball marker stencil helps you draw a clean line around the ball so you can see whether the ball rolls end-over-end under the string. This is a simple add-on, but it makes the drills much more useful.
If the ball starts under the string but the line wobbles immediately, your face, strike, or roll may still need work. The string shows direction. The ball line shows roll quality.
For more options, see our full best golf ball marker stencil guide.
A golf ball marker stencil is the Amazon product category to check if you want better roll feedback during string line practice.
Drill 1: The Straight Lead Drill
The Straight Lead Drill is the first drill every golfer should do with a putting string line. It trains your ability to start a short putt exactly on line without worrying about break.
Find a flat 5-foot to 6-foot putt. Set the string directly over the ball and aim it at the center of the hole. Your goal is to roll the ball directly under the string with a clean end-over-end roll.
How to Set It Up
- Find the straightest 5-foot to 6-foot putt on the practice green.
- Place the string directly over the ball and target line.
- Make sure the string is tight and does not sag.
- Place the ball directly under the string.
- Set your putter face square to the string.
- Roll putts until the ball starts under the string repeatedly.
Scoring Rule
Make 10 in a row from 5 feet before moving on. If you miss the string, push the ball, pull the ball, or the ball line wobbles badly, restart the count.
What This Drill Fixes
- Pushed short putts.
- Pulled short putts.
- Poor putter-face aim.
- Inconsistent eye alignment.
- Short-putt fear caused by unclear feedback.
This drill is not glamorous, but it is powerful. If you cannot start a flat 5-footer under a string, longer putts become guesswork.
Drill 2: The Apex Drill for Breaking Putts
The Apex Drill teaches you how to use a string line on breaking putts. The biggest mistake is aiming the string directly at the hole on a putt that breaks. On a breaking putt, the string should represent the start line or aim point, not always the cup.
Find a breaking putt from 6 to 10 feet. Choose the point where the ball needs to start before gravity brings it back toward the hole. Set the string along that start line.
Some golfers call this the apex. Others call it the start point, aim point, or high-side target. The important idea is that the ball does not always start at the hole. It starts on a line that allows the slope and speed to work together.
How to Set It Up
- Choose a 6-foot to 10-foot breaking putt.
- Read the putt and choose your start line.
- Set the string toward that start line, not automatically at the hole.
- Place the ball directly under the string.
- Roll the ball under the string and let the slope bring it back.
- If the ball starts under the string but misses, adjust speed or read, not face control first.
Scoring Rule
Hit 10 putts. Count a success if the ball starts under the string and rolls with the intended speed, even if it barely misses. This drill is about matching start line and pace, not just making every putt.
What This Drill Fixes
- Aiming every breaking putt at the hole.
- Missing low because the ball never starts high enough.
- Blaming stroke when the real problem is read or speed.
- Poor confidence on 6-foot to 10-foot breaking putts.
The Apex Drill is where a string line becomes more than a straight-putt tool. It teaches you to separate start line from final destination.
Drill 3: The Pressure Gate Drill
The Pressure Gate Drill adds consequence to your string line practice. The string checks your start line. The gate checks whether the ball can pass through a narrow window under pressure.
This is the drill to use after you can make the Straight Lead Drill consistently. It makes practice feel closer to the course because the margin for error becomes smaller.
How to Set It Up
- Set up a straight 5-foot putt under the string.
- Place two tees just wider than the ball about 12 to 18 inches in front of the ball.
- Keep the tees centered under the string.
- Roll the ball under the string and through the gate.
- If the ball hits a tee, the start line was not good enough.
- After 10 clean rolls, move the gate slightly farther away.
Scoring Rule
Start with a wide gate. Make five in a row. Then narrow the gate slightly or move it farther from the ball. The goal is not to make the drill impossible. The goal is to train a tighter start window.
What This Drill Fixes
- Loose face control on short putts.
- Lazy practice strokes.
- Fear of missing 5-footers under pressure.
- Poor start-line discipline.
- Overconfidence from practicing without consequences.
Bonus Drill: The Ball Line Roll Check
This bonus drill makes the three main drills more precise. Draw a clean line around your golf ball, aim the ball line under the string, and watch whether the line rolls end-over-end.
If the ball starts under the string but the line wobbles immediately, your strike or face delivery may still be inconsistent. If the line rolls cleanly and the ball stays under the string, you are building a more reliable short-putt pattern.
10-Minute Practice Plan for 5-Footers
Use this routine before a round or during a dedicated short-putt session.
| Time | Drill | Goal |
| 2 minutes | Eye alignment under the string | Confirm your setup sees the line correctly |
| 3 minutes | Straight Lead Drill | Start 5-footers directly under the string |
| 2 minutes | Pressure Gate Drill | Train a tighter start window |
| 2 minutes | Apex Drill on a slight breaker | Match start line and speed |
| 1 minute | Remove the string | Transfer the feel to normal putting |
Common Mistakes With String Line Drills
Aiming the String at the Hole on Every Putt
On straight putts, the string can point at the hole. On breaking putts, it should usually point at the start line. If you aim at the hole on a breaking putt, you may train the wrong start direction.
Starting Too Far Away
Do not begin with 15-footers. Start at 5 feet. Build start-line control first, then extend the distance.
Using a Sagging String
A loose string gives poor feedback. Pull it tight and check that it sits directly over your intended line.
Never Removing the Training Aid
The goal is transfer. Use the string, then remove it and hit normal putts. If your start line disappears without the string, keep practicing in shorter sets.
Hidden Costs and Warnings
The hidden cost of string line drills is false confidence from bad setup. A crooked string can make a good putt look wrong or a poor putt look correct. Always check the line before blaming your stroke.
- Practice green rules: Some courses do not allow stakes or string setups on the green.
- Crowded greens: Do not block other golfers during warm-up.
- Speed control gap: A string line improves start line more than distance control.
- Over-training: Remove the string often so the skill transfers to the course.
- Wrong read: On breaking putts, a perfect start line can still miss if the speed or read is wrong.
Who Should Use These String Line Drills?
These drills are best for golfers who miss too many 5-footers, push or pull short putts, struggle with eye alignment, or want more honest feedback during putting practice.
- Golfers who miss short putts under pressure.
- Players who push or pull 5-footers.
- Competitive juniors and high school golfers.
- Scratch golfers maintaining start-line precision.
- Coaches building a putting practice station.
- Home-practice golfers using a putting mat.
Who Should Skip Them?
Skip these drills if your short-putt start line is already strong and your main weakness is lag putting, green reading, or speed control from long range. A string line is powerful, but it is mainly a start-line tool.
You should also skip the string setup on crowded practice greens where stakes, string, or training aids would get in the way of other golfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best string line drill for 5-foot putts?
The Straight Lead Drill is the best drill for 5-foot putts. Set the string over a flat 5-foot putt and practice until you can roll 10 putts in a row directly under the string.
Should the putting string aim at the hole?
Only on straight putts. On breaking putts, the string should usually aim at the start line or high-side aim point, not directly at the hole.
Can a putting string line fix pushed putts?
It can help by showing when the ball starts right of the intended line. A push may come from an open face, path issue, poor aim, or setup problem. The string gives immediate feedback so you can identify the pattern.
Can I use string line drills on a home putting mat?
Yes, but you need a way to hold the string without damaging the mat. A dedicated kit, small posts, or a DIY indoor frame can work better than tees or stakes.
How long should I practice string line drills?
Ten minutes is enough for a focused session. Spend a few minutes on straight putts, a few minutes on gate pressure, a few minutes on breaking-putt start lines, then remove the aid and test normal putting.
Do string line drills help with three-putting?
They help mostly with short second putts and makeable 5-footers. They do not replace speed-control drills for long lag putts, but they can reduce three-putts by improving your ability to finish short putts confidently.
Final Recommendation
If you want to stop missing 5-footers, start with the Straight Lead Drill. It is simple, honest, and hard to cheat. The ball either starts under the string or it does not.
Then add the Apex Drill for breaking putts and the Pressure Gate Drill for short-putt pressure. Together, these three drills train start line, aim point, face control, and transfer.
A putting string line is not magic. It is better than magic because it tells the truth. If your ball starts offline, you know immediately. That is exactly the feedback most golfers need to make more 5-footers.