Practice should not be monotonous. Instead of hitting the same putt over and over again, add a little variety—and a lot more pressure—with something you probably already have at home: a simple deck of playing cards.
This simple twist will turn any ordinary practice session into a fun and competitive challenge that tests every aspect of your game on the green.
start
To try, all you need is a standard deck of playing cards, a practice green with a few holes to put it in and a way to record your score. Begin by dividing the cards into two decks: face cards (plus aces) and numbered cards.
Let the cards determine your putt
Next, shuffle the two decks of cards. Each card will dictate three characteristics of your putt: distance, direction and slope.
Distance: Numbered cards represent their face value in feet, while face cards and axes have assigned distances:
jacks: 15 feet
Queens: 20 feet
Re: 25 feet
Assets: 35 feet
Direction: The dress determines the direction of the break. Clubs and spades indicate a left-to-right putt, while hearts and diamonds call for a right-to-left putt.
Slope: Odd cards represent uphill putts, while even cards represent downhill putts. For face cards, jacks and kings count as odd, while queens and aces count as even.
Still a little confused? Let’s go for an example.
Say I draw the king of diamonds. That means you’re facing a 25-foot uphill putt that breaks from right to left. If you miss, draw another card from the second deck. Let’s say you get the four of spades. Your next attempt will be a four-foot downhill putt that breaks left to right.
Each draw presents a new challenge, forcing you to adjust your approach and adapt to a different putt.
Play 18 holes
Once you’ve figured it out, it’s time to put your skills to the test. Challenge yourself to play nine or 18 holes, using the cards to determine each putt.
Begin by removing from the deck of face cards to set your opening putt. If you miss, draw from the deck of numbered cards to determine your next attempt. Keep drawing cards until you run out.
Keep track of the number of shots it takes to complete each hole, then add it up at the end of your round. To keep it simple, set par at two shots per hole, giving you a target score of 18 on nine or 36 on 18 holes.
Turn your score into an improvement
The goal is not just to shoot the lowest score possible. It’s about finding out where your putting game needs work.
Pay attention to the patterns that emerge during your rounds. Do you still miss short putts? Struggling with distance control on longer attempts? Having trouble reading left-to-right or downhill putts?
You can also track your results over multiple practice sessions to identify recurring weaknesses and measure your progress over time.
Jack of All Putts makes practice more challenging by challenging you to adapt to different distances, breaks and slopes rather than mindlessly repeating the same putt. It’s a simple way to incorporate some pressure into your practice on the green, while also developing your feel, consistency and confidence.