Instructional Video
Equipment Needed
Step-by-Step Instructions
Place two tees in the green just outside the toe and heel of your putter when it's set up to a ball. The gap between the tees should be just slightly wider than your putter head.
Address a short putt (3-6 feet) with the ball positioned between those tees.
Make your putting stroke and try to roll the ball through the tee gate without hitting either tee. If your stroke is off-line or you push/pull the putt, you'll likely hit a tee, giving you feedback.
Continue hitting putts through this gate. Start at 3 feet and, as you succeed, move a bit farther from the hole. The goal is to keep the putter path straight (or on your intended arc) and the face square so the ball can roll through the tees cleanly every time.
Professional Endorsement
Tiger Woods has famously used the tee gate drill in his practice since his junior days to ensure his putter face is square. Many tour pros set up similar gates (sometimes even using chalk lines or putting mirrors with gates) to fine-tune their short putts.