Putting games that make practice count
A game gives a practice session a score. These are the ones worth playing, with the rules in plain words, the one you can play here and the scorecards you can print.
JYLY
JYLY is the Finnish game by Markus Lindqvist. Twenty rounds, five putts a round, from 5 to 10 m. Every make scores its distance, and the next round moves back one metre per make. It is the best solo game here because the score is comparable from one day to the next. Play JYLY or print a scorecard.
Ladder
Put three discs from 3 m. Make all three and move back to 5 m; make two and stay; make one or none and move closer. The ladder runs 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 11 m; the app's feet scale is 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 ft. It rewards consistency rather than one lucky putt.
Around the World
Put one disc from each of a ring of positions around the basket, then go round again. The rule is simply that you finish the circle before you stop; it is good for wind and for putting from the side you avoid. It is not one of Chains' four drills, so play it on paper.
Making a session count
Pick one distance band and one game. Write the score down. Next time, play the same thing. The number is the point: it tells you whether the session worked, which a basket full of discs on the ground never does. JYLY gives you a score out of 1,000; Ladder gives you a highest distance; Around the World gives you a completion.
What is JYLY?
A Finnish putting game by Markus Lindqvist: 20 rounds of 5 putts from 5 to 10 m, where each make scores its distance. The maximum is 1,000.
What is a good putting game for one person?
JYLY works alone because every round has a target score. Ladder is the other useful solo game: three discs from each distance, move back on three makes, hold on two, come closer on one or none.
How often should I practise putting?
Little and often beats one long session. Fifteen minutes with a purpose, such as JYLY or a ladder, gives you a number to compare with next time; an hour of aimless putts often does not.
Do I need five putters?
No. Putt back and forth with one disc; the count is what matters. A second disc saves walking.
Chains
Chains keeps the score while you putt
Log every putt from Apple Watch or iPhone, run the four drills on iPhone and play JYLY with your history saved.
