Anchored Putting Technique Explained

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Quick Answer

• Anchored putting is a technique where the butt end of the putter shaft is pressed against your sternum or chest.
• This anchors the club to your body, promoting a pendulum-like stroke driven by your shoulders, not your wrists or arms.
• It’s a method aimed at achieving greater stability and consistency on the greens.

Who This Is For

• Golfers who struggle with shaky hands or inconsistent wrist action during their putting stroke.
• Players looking for a more repeatable and controlled method to improve their putting performance.

What to Check First

• Putter Length: Ensure your putter is long enough to comfortably reach your sternum or chest when you’re in your putting stance. Check the manufacturer’s specifications or the manual for guidance on ideal lengths for anchored strokes.
• Grip: Your grip should be firm enough to maintain contact with your body but relaxed enough to allow for a free shoulder turn. Avoid a death grip.
• Stance: Establish a balanced, athletic stance that provides a solid foundation. Your body should be in a comfortable position to allow the putter to swing freely from the shoulders.
• Anchor Point: Identify a consistent spot on your chest or sternum where you will anchor the putter. This spot should be comfortable and stable.

Understanding What is Anchored Putting

So, what is anchored putting all about? It’s a technique that’s gained traction because it simplifies the putting stroke. Instead of relying on the nuanced feel of your hands and wrists, you’re using your larger shoulder muscles to create a more controlled pendulum motion. The putter shaft is essentially locked against your body, turning your arms and the putter into one solid unit that swings from your shoulders. This takes a lot of the guesswork out of the stroke, especially for those who tend to manipulate the clubface with their hands. It’s a bit like using a metronome for your swing – steady and reliable. I’ve seen guys who were all over the place on the greens suddenly find a new level of consistency once they committed to this method. It’s not for everyone, but for the right player, it can be a game-changer.

Step-by-Step Plan for Anchored Putting

1. Select the Right Putter: Start by choosing a putter that feels suitable for an anchored stroke.

• What to look for: The putter shaft should naturally rest against your sternum or chest when you set up to putt without you having to bend your body or reach awkwardly. If you have to strain, it’s probably not the right length.
• Mistake to avoid: Using a putter that is too short or too long. A putter that’s too short will force you into an uncomfortable hunch, while one that’s too long might make it difficult to maintain a consistent anchor point. Always check the manual or manufacturer’s website for recommended lengths for anchored putting.

2. Establish Your Grip: Grip the putter with your hands together, typically in a conventional grip style.

• What to look for: A relaxed but firm grip. The goal is to feel connected to the putter without any tension in your wrists or forearms. Your hands should feel like they are part of the putter’s shaft.
• Mistake to avoid: Squeezing the putter too tightly. This is a common mistake that kills feel and promotes tension, which is exactly what anchored putting aims to eliminate.

3. Anchor the Putter: Position the butt end of the putter shaft firmly against your sternum or chest.

• What to look for: Consistent, light pressure. The connection should feel stable, like it’s a natural extension of your body, but not so tight that it restricts movement.
• Mistake to avoid: Letting the putter lift off your body during the swing or not maintaining consistent contact. This defeats the purpose of anchoring and leads to inconsistency.

4. Set Up Your Stance: Get into your normal putting stance, ensuring your feet are balanced and your eyes are directly over the ball.

• What to look for: A stable, athletic base. Your posture should be comfortable, allowing for a free rotation of your shoulders.
• Mistake to avoid: Leaning too far forward or backward, or adopting a stance that makes it difficult to keep the anchor point stable throughout the stroke.

5. Initiate the Backswing: Begin your backswing by rotating your shoulders away from the ball.

• What to look for: The putter head moving back smoothly, powered by the turn of your shoulders. The putter should feel like it’s swinging on a consistent arc.
• Mistake to avoid: Using your wrists or forearms to hinge the putter back. This is a critical point; the movement must originate from the shoulders.

6. Execute the Pendulum Stroke: Swing the putter back and then through the ball using the same shoulder rotation.

• What to look for: A smooth, unhurried pendulum motion. The putter should feel like it’s swinging freely from your shoulders, with your wrists and arms staying relatively quiet.
• Mistake to avoid: Trying to “hit” at the ball or decelerating through impact. Trust the momentum generated by your shoulder turn to carry the putter through the stroke.

7. Complete the Follow-Through: Continue the shoulder rotation after the putter strikes the ball.

• What to look for: A balanced finish with your shoulders rotated towards the target, holding the position briefly. The putter should finish in front of you, not dropped to the side.
• Mistake to avoid: Stopping the stroke abruptly at impact or snatching the putter away. A full, uninhibited follow-through is crucial for a consistent stroke.

8. Practice and Refine: Dedicate time to practicing this technique on the practice green.

• What to look for: A consistent feel for the stroke and improved accuracy. Pay attention to your distance control and how the ball rolls.
• Mistake to avoid: Not practicing enough. Like any new technique, it takes repetition to ingrain the proper motor patterns and build confidence.

Common Mistakes in Anchored Putting

• Mistake: Gripping too tightly — Why it matters: Excessive tension in your hands and wrists directly contradicts the goal of a smooth, shoulder-driven pendulum stroke. It leads to jerky movements and loss of feel. — Fix: Focus on a relaxed grip. Imagine holding a bird; you want to keep it safe but not crush it. Let your shoulders do the work.
• Mistake: Breaking the anchor point — Why it matters: If the putter shaft lifts off your chest or sternum during the stroke, you lose the crucial stability and consistency that the anchor provides. It essentially becomes a regular stroke with an awkward setup. — Fix: Be hyper-aware of maintaining consistent contact throughout the entire motion, from the backswing to the follow-through. Feel the connection.
• Mistake: Using wrists and arms excessively — Why it matters: This is the primary issue anchored putting aims to solve. Engaging your wrists and arms introduces unwanted variability, making your stroke inconsistent and harder to control. — Fix: Consciously train yourself to initiate and complete the stroke purely with shoulder rotation. Feel your arms and the putter move as one unit.
• Mistake: Putter length is incorrect for anchoring — Why it matters: An ill-fitting putter makes anchoring uncomfortable, forcing you into poor posture and inefficient stroke mechanics. This can lead to inconsistent contact and a lack of confidence in the technique. — Fix: Verify your putter’s length is suitable for an anchored stroke. Consult the putter’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for guidance on optimal lengths for this style of putting.
• Mistake: Not committing to the anchor connection — Why it matters: Hesitation or a half-hearted anchor leads to inconsistent results and a lack of trust in the technique. You might feel like you’re “cheating” or that it’s unnatural, which hinders your ability to learn. — Fix: Fully commit to the technique. Feel the connection to your body and trust the pendulum motion it creates. Embrace it as a tool to improve your putting.
• Mistake: Inconsistent anchor pressure — Why it matters: Applying too much pressure can restrict your shoulder turn, while too little can lead to the putter slipping. Both extremes disrupt the smooth, repeatable stroke. — Fix: Find a consistent, light pressure that feels secure but allows for free rotation. This takes practice to dial in.

FAQ

• What are the main benefits of anchored putting?

The primary benefits of anchored putting are enhanced stability and consistency in your putting stroke. By reducing reliance on wrist and arm manipulation, it promotes a smoother, more repeatable pendulum motion driven by the shoulders, which can lead to better distance control and more confidence on the greens.

• Is anchored putting allowed in all golf competitions?

Yes, anchored putting is currently permitted under the Rules of Golf, although there are specific regulations regarding how the putter can be anchored to the body [1]. It’s always wise to be familiar with the official rules to ensure you are adhering to them during competition.

• What type of putter is best for anchored putting?

Longer putters, often referred to as broomstick or long putters, are frequently used for anchored putting because their length naturally allows the butt end to rest comfortably against the chest or sternum. However, the most important factor is that the putter’s length fits your individual body, stance, and comfort level for a proper anchor.

• How do I know if my putter is the right length for anchoring?

To determine if your putter is the correct length, set up to putt as you normally would, with the putter shaft resting against your sternum or chest. It should feel natural and balanced. You shouldn’t have to hunch over excessively or reach too far. If you’re unsure, check the manufacturer’s specifications for your putter model, as they often provide guidance on ideal lengths for different putting styles.

• Can I switch between anchored and conventional putting during a round?

You can certainly switch between anchored and conventional putting methods. Many golfers use anchored putting as a strategic tool to regain confidence or work on their stroke mechanics during a round, and then transition back to a conventional stroke when they feel ready or when conditions call for it. It’s a personal choice based on what works best for you at any given moment.

• Does anchored putting require a different grip than a standard stroke?

While the core grip principles remain similar, anchored putting often involves a grip that feels more connected and less reliant on individual hand action. Many players find that a slightly firmer grip, or a specific grip style like a claw or reverse overlap, helps maintain the putter’s connection to the body and promotes the desired shoulder-driven stroke. The key is that the grip facilitates the anchored motion without introducing tension.

Sources:

• Anchor Putting Explained: Technique And Rules In Golf [1]