A hard but rewarding putting drill: The Sam Chien system with Blaire McKeithen
Whether you're a seasoned golfer or new to the greens, improving your putting is key to lowering scores. In a recent video from Coronado Golf Course in sunny San Diego, Blaire McKeithen, head of instruction at AmateurGolf.com, shared a putting drill designed to fine-tune your stroke. Known as the Sam Chien drill, this exercise has been a staple in McKeithen’s practice, helping him elevate his game during his career on tours like the Alps Tour. Now, it's time for you to incorporate it into your routine and start shaving strokes off your score.
What is the Sam Chien Drill?Named after Northwestern University assistant coach Sam Chien, this drill is simple yet incredibly effective. It focuses on controlling your putter’s face and honing your aim over short distances. This ensures that your stroke is both accurate and consistent, especially in high-pressure situations.
The drill is broken into two key stages: the setup and execution.
Setting Up Your LineFind Your Line: Start by identifying a line where you feel comfortable. In McKeithen’s case, he chose a slight left-edge putt, as he had been struggling with downhill, left-to-right putts.
Establish Impact Gates
Place tees to create a gate around your putter head. The first gate should be around three inches behind the ball and the second three inches in front. These gates ensure your clubface remains square as you approach and strike the ball.
Outside Gate -- This gate helps prevent pulling the putter outside the target line during your backswing.
Inside Gate -- This ensures your stroke doesn’t veer too far inside, maintaining the correct arc without overcorrecting.
Place a Guide Tee on Your Line -- A key to this drill is placing a tee on your through-line. If you hit this tee during your follow-through, it will serve as a feedback mechanism to guide you toward a more consistent path.
Mark the Center Line -- Place a small mark on the green where you’ll set up your ball each time, ensuring it’s positioned in the center of your chosen line. Repetition and accuracy are the names of the game here.
Execution -- Fine-Tuning the Stroke
Once you've established your setup, it’s time to start making putts.
Test Your Tendencies -- Roll a few putts to see how your stroke is performing. McKeithen emphasizes the importance of using feedback from missed putts to dial in adjustments. If your stroke is veering off the gates, adjust your setup and continue practicing until your clubface consistently passes through both gates without issue.
Three-in-a-Row Challenge -- After you’re dialed in, create a series of three-foot putts: one left-to-right, one straight, and one right-to-left. The challenge? You must make all three in a row. If you miss one, go back to the tee gate drill and start again.
Pressure and Progression -- Once you've made three in a row, move back a foot and repeat the process. As you move further from the hole, the pressure mounts, but this is where the magic happens. Missing a putt sends you back to the start of the drill, reinforcing focus and patience.
“By the time you're 7-8 feet out, you'll notice how much your green reading improves," McKeithen explains. "You’ll also find that what was a right-edge putt at 3 feet becomes a full-cup putt by the time you're farther back.”
Mental Strength and PersistenceThe beauty of the Sam Chan drill is that it combines physical skill with mental endurance. As McKeithen shares, some days this drill can take just a few minutes, while others may stretch into hours. No matter the outcome, the goal is to engrain muscle memory and strengthen your mental game, teaching you to stay focused under pressure.
By incorporating this drill into your practice routine, you’ll not only become a more confident putter but also develop the discipline needed to perform when it counts.
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