How to Improve Your Putting Skills

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Short Game Mastery

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Quick Answer

• Lock in your setup: consistent stance, grip, and alignment are non-negotiable.
• Practice with purpose: drill those short putts and master lag distance.
• Read greens like a map: understand speed and break to sink more putts.

Who This Is For

• Any golfer, from weekend warrior to aspiring pro, who wants to lower their handicap and scores.
• Players who find themselves adding strokes due to three-putts or missed opportunities inside 10 feet.

How to Become a Better Putter: What to Check First

Before you even think about stroking the ball, let’s get your tools and setup right. This is foundational stuff, people.

• Putter Lie Angle: This dictates how your putter sits on the turf. If it’s too upright, the toe will be in the air, and you’ll aim left. Too flat, and the heel digs, sending you right. Get it so the sole is flat on the ground when you address the ball. You can check the manual or verify with manufacturer for adjustments.
• Putter Length: This is critical for a good setup. Too long and you’ll have to raise your hands, creating tension and a less stable stroke. Too short and you’ll be hunched over, blocking your view. You should be able to stand comfortably, with your eyes over the ball and a slight bend in your knees. Check the manual or verify with manufacturer.
• Your Grip: This is where you connect with the club. The key here is light, consistent pressure. A death grip kills feel and makes your stroke robotic. Aim for a relaxed hold where you can feel the face of the putter. Think of holding a bird – firm enough it doesn’t fly away, but gentle enough not to hurt it.
• Putter Face Balance: While not a physical adjustment you’ll make on the course, understanding if your putter is face-balanced or toe-hang can help you choose the right one for your stroke. Face-balanced putters are generally better for straight-back-and-through strokes, while toe-hang is often preferred for arcing strokes. This is more of a fitting consideration, but good to know.

Step-by-Step Plan to Improve Your Putting

Alright, let’s get down to business. This is how you actually build a better putting game. It’s not rocket science, but it takes dedication.

1. Establish a Consistent Pre-Putt Routine.

• Action: Develop and religiously stick to a specific sequence of actions you perform before every single putt.
• What to look for: You should be able to go through your routine without thinking. This includes things like walking up to the ball, taking a practice stroke (or two), visualizing the putt, and then addressing the ball. It should feel automatic and calming.
• Mistake to avoid: Rushing your routine, especially on critical putts, or skipping steps when you’re feeling pressure. Your routine is your anchor; don’t let it drift.

2. Set Up with Correct Posture and Alignment.

• Action: Get your body positioned perfectly before you even think about moving the putter.
• What to look for: Your eyes should be directly over the ball, allowing you to see the line clearly. Your shoulders, hips, and feet should be square to your intended target line. Your weight should be balanced evenly between your feet, with a slight athletic bend in your knees.
• Mistake to avoid: Slouching, tilting your head, or having your body misaligned to the target. This is like trying to shoot a rifle with the sights off – you’re already aiming in the wrong direction.

3. Grip the Putter with Light, Consistent Pressure.

• Action: Hold the putter with a relaxed, yet firm, grip.
• What to look for: You should feel no tension in your hands, wrists, or forearms. Your fingers should be making contact, but not squeezing. The putter head should feel like an extension of your arms.
• Mistake to avoid: Squeezing the grip too hard. This is probably the most common mistake. It restricts the micro-movements needed for a smooth stroke and kills your feel for the ball.

4. Develop a Smooth, Pendulum-Like Stroke.

• Action: Focus on moving the putter head back and through using your shoulders as the primary engine.
• What to look for: A consistent backswing and follow-through, with the putter head tracing a slight arc. Your wrists should remain relatively stable, and your forearms should move in unison with your shoulders. Think of a pendulum on a clock.
• Mistake to avoid: Using your wrists independently to generate power or taking the putter back too far inside or outside the target line. This leads to inconsistency and makes it hard to control the clubface.

5. Focus on Speed Control and Distance Judgment.

• Action: Dedicate significant practice time to hitting putts of varying lengths, with the sole focus on controlling the pace.
• What to look for: The ability to consistently leave your ball within a few feet of the hole on longer putts, and to get the ball to the high side of the hole on breaking putts. This is about pace, not just direction.
• Mistake to avoid: Only practicing short, “gimme” putts or trying to ram every putt into the hole. Lag putting is an art form, and it’s what saves you strokes on the green.

6. Learn to Read Greens Effectively.

• Action: Spend time observing the contours and slopes of the greens from multiple angles.
• What to look for: Identify the high points and low points, understand how gravity will affect the ball’s roll, and visualize the path the ball will take. Look from behind the ball, to the side, and even from behind the hole.
• Mistake to avoid: Guessing the break, only looking from one perspective, or ignoring subtle slopes. A little observation goes a long way in picking the right line.

7. Commit to Your Line and Stroke.

• Action: Once you’ve read the green and practiced your stroke, commit to your chosen line and execute your putt with confidence.
• What to look for: A decisive stroke where you don’t second-guess yourself mid-stroke. Trust your read and your practice.
• Mistake to avoid: Decelerating through impact, lifting your head too early to see where it’s going, or having a “hesitation” in your stroke.

Common Mistakes in Putting

We all make ’em, but knowing them is the first step to fixing them.

• Gripping Too Tightly — This restricts feel, causes tension in your arms and shoulders, and leads to a jerky, inconsistent stroke. Your hands should feel relaxed, like they’re just holding the club. — Focus on a lighter grip pressure, and practice feeling the clubhead throughout your swing.
• Inconsistent Setup — Every time you set up to a putt, it should look and feel the same. If your stance, ball position, or eye alignment varies, your stroke will too. — Develop a repeatable pre-putt routine that ensures you start from the same position every time.
• Poor Green Reading — This is a big one. If you misread the break or the speed, even the best stroke won’t find the hole. — Spend time studying the green from all angles. Visualize the ball’s path and the apex of the break.
• Neglecting Lag Putts — You might be deadly from three feet, but if you consistently leave yourself 30-footers, you’re not scoring. — Dedicate a portion of your practice time specifically to hitting lag putts from 30, 50, and 70 feet, focusing purely on distance control.
• Jerky or Choppy Stroke — Trying to “hit” the ball rather than “stroking” it. This often comes from wrist action or a inconsistent tempo. — Focus on a smooth, rhythmic stroke powered by your shoulders. Keep your wrists quiet and let the putter head swing.
• Lifting Your Head Too Early — You’re eager to see if it’s going in, but lifting your head breaks your stroke and ruins your alignment. — Keep your head down until after you’ve made contact with the ball. Trust your practice and let the ball roll.
• Inconsistent Tempo — The speed of your backswing and follow-through should be roughly the same. A faster backswing with a slower follow-through, or vice versa, will throw off your distance control. — Practice with a metronome or simply focus on making the backswing and follow-through feel even in length and speed.

FAQ

• What is the most important aspect of putting?

While all aspects are important, consistent setup and speed control are arguably the most critical. If you can consistently get the ball to the hole with the correct pace, you’ll find yourself making more putts and avoiding costly three-putts.

• How often should I practice putting?

Ideally, you should practice putting every time you’re on the golf course. Even 15-20 minutes on the practice green before or after your round can make a huge difference. Consistency in practice is key to building a reliable stroke.

• What is a good drill for improving short putts?

The “Ladder Drill” is excellent for short putts. Place balls at 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 feet from the hole. Your goal is to make every single putt in sequence. If you miss one, you start over from the 3-foot mark. This builds confidence and precision under pressure.

• How can I improve my green reading skills?

Spend time walking around the hole after you putt to see how the ball rolled. Look at the putt from behind the ball, from the side, and from behind the hole. Try to identify the highest point the ball will reach on its path to the hole – this is often called the apex of the break.

• Should I use a specific type of putter for my stroke?

Putter fitting is a real thing for a reason. While you can improve with any putter, understanding if you have a straight-back-and-through stroke or an arcing stroke can help you choose a putter that complements your natural motion. Face-balanced putters are often suited for straighter strokes, while toe-hang putters can work well for arcs.

• How do I develop a good tempo for my putting stroke?

Tempo is about rhythm. Many golfers find it helpful to use a metronome or simply focus on making the backswing and follow-through feel equal in length and speed. A common cue is to think “one-two” or “back-through” with an even cadence. Practice until it feels natural.

Sources

[1] Improving Your Putting Skills: https://golfhubz.com/improving-your-putting-skills

[2] How to Improve Your Putting: https://golfhubz.com/how-to-improve-your-putting

[3] Improve Your Putting Game: Drills and Techniques: https://golfhubz.com/improve-your-putting-game-drills-and-techniques

[4] Improve Your Putting: Tips and Techniques for Better Performance: https://golfhubz.com/improve-your-putting-tips-and-techniques-for-better-performance