Putting

Golf is a mental game. And nowhere is that more true than on the putting green. If you believe you are a good putter, you will sink many more putts. If you doubt your putting abilities, you will struggle on the greens.

If you are just starting to play golf, you will notice that a putter is slightly different from the rest of your clubs. The grip of a putter normally has a flat front. This is so your thumbs can point straight down the shaft and your palms will face each other in a square position. This allows your hands to work together and not against each other during the putting stroke.

Here’s how to get ready to make a putt.

Keys to Gripping Your Putter

• Choose a grip that feels comfortable to you
• Your hands should be touching one another
• Your palms must face each other, like clapping your hands
• Your thumbs point down the flat side of the grip
• Don’t hold the grip tightly – this will create tension and not allow you to roll the putt properly

Set Up

• First, position the golf club just inside your front foot (the one closest to the hole)
• Flex your knees slightly
• Lean forward from your hip sockets
• Allow your arms to hang naturally
• Looking down, your eye line should be in line with the ball or inside the ball closer to your body
• Do not have your eye line outside the ball or farther away from your body
• Finally, make sure you feel comfortable standing over the ball ready to stroke a putt

Alignment

• First, set the putter behind the ball in a square position, facing your target
• Align your shoulders parallel to your target line
• Move into your set up position and get comfortable

Putting is a stroke. 

• Allow your shoulders to rock back and forth
• Move your hands and arms like a pendulum on a clock
• Keep your body very still

Remember, this is a stroke. Do not hit the ball.

For example, for a long putt don’t try to hit the ball harder. For a short putt, don’t try to hit the ball softer. The length of your stroke will determine the distance the ball will travel.

Short putt = Short stroke

Long putt = Long stroke

You want the feeling that you are rolling the ball to the hole.

Putting is an art and requires practice, patience, and good fundamentals. It is no different than playing miniature golf. You are attempting to get the ball in the hole in the least amount of strokes.

The two main ingredients in putting are direction and distance.

Direction is having a good set up and alignment and then aiming the putter face on the line you want the ball to roll.

Distance is the speed of the putt.  You must control the speed of your putt, which is done by the length of your stroke.

Putting requires practice, but make it fun. Challenge yourself or go out with a friend to practice putting.

As you practice, repeat to yourself, “Just roll the ball to the hole.”

Learn more about short game.