Putting Tips

If there is one single club golfers will have a garage full of it is the putter. More than any other golf shot there is a tendency to believe the putter is more responsible for missed shots. There may be some cases when that is true, but more often it’s the putting stroke not the putter. The following tips will help you develop a putting stroke that will get your scores down fast.

Grip. For right-handers, you want to mostly hit the put with your right hand. Put most of the pressure on your right index finger and your right thumb. The rest of your right hand and your left hand simply hold and guide the club. A soft grip will keep your hands out of the swing, in other words keep you from pulling or pushing the putt. So, grip the putter with your right index and right thumb, hold the club with the rest of your hands.

The Stroke. You move the putter back and down the line with your shoulders, not your hands or arms. Your arms are just there to hold the club — your shoulders move the club back and through. Using bigger muscles to make a putt will make it less likely you will move your head or sway the rest of your body.



Think Of A Number! Your distance is determined by the length of your backswing. You should have a backswing distance associated with how long you want the putt to go. A backswing to your inside right foot is one distance, to the outside of your right foot is another distance and so on. Think of a number as you address the putt — don’t think “this is a short one” or this is a long one.” To gain confidence you have to practice this and find out how far your different backswings lengths travel. Think about distance in terms of feet, yards, meters or paces — but think of a number!

Rhythm. Whether your rhythm is fast, very fast, slow or very slow, you have to decide what is right for you and what is repeatable for you. Practice and figure out what works for you and stick with it. No matter the distance, you need to have the same rhythm for each putt.

Reading Greens. Work from the hole back to the ball. Start out by looking at the green around the pin, this is where the ball is going to break the most because this is where the ball will have the least speed. Work your way back to the middle of the putting line and determine the break there. The ball will break the least at the beginning of the putt because that is where it will have the most speed.

Weight Distribution At Address. Your weight distribution should be half on your right foot, half on your left foot and in the middle of your feet, not on your toes or on your heels. In other words — perfectly centered.

Drills. Place a tee outside the toe and one inside the heel of the putter. Now practice hitting putts through the tees. As you progress, bring the tees in closer to the putter. This will improve your stroke. Practice this.

Your Putter. Your putter is probably too long for you, the standard size is too long for most golfers. Get fitted for your putter like any other club. If you are “chunking” your puts your putter is probably too short for you.