When you watch professional golfers practice, you might expect to see complex drills or high-tech gadgets. But as game-improvement editor Zephyr Melton discovered during five days at two pro events—the Cadillac Championship at Doral and the LPGA's Mizuho Americas Open at Mountain Ridge Country Club—the best players in the world focus on something surprisingly simple: aim and alignment.

Spending time around the practice putting green at both tournaments, Melton noticed a consistent pattern. Almost every pro begins their putting practice by setting up a station designed to refine these fundamental skills. Some use training aids like putting mirrors or gates, while others rely on simple tees or alignment sticks. The goal is universal: control the variables. If you can set up the same way before every putt, you'll put a more predictable roll on the ball and, ultimately, make more putts.

This isn't just a quirky habit—it's a strategy endorsed by the game's elite. "When I have to make an important putt I try to keep it so simple. I really focus on aiming correctly," Rory McIlroy shared earlier this year. "I think half the battle is just making sure you're aiming in the right spot with the putter."

For amateur golfers looking to shave strokes off their score, this insight is pure gold. You don't need a tour-level budget to adopt this routine. Grab a couple of alignment sticks or even two tees, and set up a simple guide on the practice green. Spend a few minutes dialing in your aim before each putt. It's a small adjustment that can lead to big results—just ask the pros who do it every day.