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How to Improve Your Putting

ByMichael Reeves

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Short Game Mastery


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Quick answer

  • Dial in your setup for a consistent, repeatable stroke.
  • Practice short putts and lag putts to build confidence and control.
  • Get a second set of eyes (or a camera) on your stroke to find what needs tweaking.

Who this is for

  • Golfers of all stripes who are sick of three-putts and want to see their scores drop.
  • Players who want to build a more confident and reliable short game without overhauling their swing.

What to check first

  • Putter Lie Angle: When you set up, does your putter sit flat on the ground? If the toe is up or down, your putter face won’t be square at impact. This is a big one.
  • Putter Grip: Is your grip comfortable and relaxed? A death grip kills feel and prevents your wrists from moving naturally. You want a grip that lets your hands work.
  • Putter Length: Does the putter length allow you to stand in an athletic, balanced posture? If you’re hunching over or standing too tall, it’s likely the wrong length.
  • Ball Position: Is the ball consistently placed in the same spot relative to your stance? This affects the angle of attack and the consistency of your strike.

Step-by-step plan: How to Improve Putting

  • Action: Assess your current putting stroke.
  • What to look for: A smooth, consistent tempo throughout the stroke, a square putter face at impact, and minimal body sway. Are you accelerating through the ball or decelerating?
  • Mistake to avoid: Trying to fix things you think are wrong without a clear diagnosis. I once spent weeks working on my follow-through when the real issue was my setup. Get an objective look.
  • Action: Establish a repeatable setup.
  • What to look for: Consistent eye position directly over the ball, a balanced and stable stance, and a comfortable, neutral grip. Your pre-putt routine should be the same every time.
  • Mistake to avoid: Rushing your setup. Take your time, get comfortable, and commit to your line before you even start your backswing.
  • Action: Practice short putts (3-5 feet).
  • What to look for: Making a high percentage of these putts. Focus on solid, center-face contact and a smooth stroke. Can you make 10 in a row?
  • Mistake to avoid: Getting lazy with short putts. These are the ones that build confidence and save strokes. Treat every single one like it’s for the win.
  • Action: Work on lag putting.
  • What to look for: Consistent distance control. Can you consistently get your putts within a 3-foot radius of the hole from 30, 50, and 70 feet? This is crucial for avoiding three-putts.
  • Mistake to avoid: Only practicing putts inside 10 feet. You need to develop a feel for speed on longer putts, too. It’s a different skill.
  • Action: Focus on tempo and rhythm.
  • What to look for: A consistent backswing and follow-through length. The most common advice is a 2:1 ratio – the follow-through should be twice as long as the backswing. Feel the rhythm.
  • Mistake to avoid: Decelerating through impact. This leads to a “scooping” motion and an inconsistent putter face. Maintain your speed all the way to your target.
  • Action: Use alignment aids.
  • What to look for: Consistent use of the line on your ball or your putter’s alignment marks. Does this help you aim more accurately?
  • Mistake to avoid: Relying on them too much without understanding how to aim. They are tools, not magic wands. Learn to see the line yourself.

Mastering Your Putting Stroke

To truly improve your putting, you need to understand the mechanics and practice them consistently. It’s not just about hitting the ball; it’s about hitting it with the right speed and the right face angle. This requires a solid foundation.

Key Elements of a Consistent Stroke

  • Setup: This is paramount. Your posture, ball position, and grip dictate how your putter moves. If your setup is off, your stroke will be too. You want to feel balanced and athletic. Your eyes should be over the ball, or slightly inside the target line, depending on your preference. Ensure your shoulders, hips, and feet are aligned to your intended target.
  • Grip: A relaxed grip is essential. Avoid squeezing the putter. Many players benefit from a slightly lighter grip pressure on the lead hand and a bit more on the trail hand. Experiment with different grips like the reverse overlap, cross-handed, or claw to see what feels most natural and promotes a free-flowing stroke. The goal is to minimize wrist action and allow your shoulders to control the stroke.
  • Stroke Path: The path of your putter head should be slightly inside the target line on the backswing, square at impact, and slightly inside the target line on the follow-through. This creates a natural slight arc, which helps the putter face remain square through the hitting zone. Avoid a straight-back, straight-through stroke, as this often leads to manipulation with the hands and wrists.
  • Tempo: Tempo is the rhythm of your stroke. A common drill is to count “one-two” or “tick-tock” to maintain a consistent tempo. The backswing should be shorter than the follow-through, often in a 1:2 ratio. This ensures you accelerate through the ball, rather than decelerating, which is a common cause of missed short putts.
  • Face Control: The putter face angle at impact is arguably the most critical factor in where the ball starts. Even a perfect stroke path will result in a missed putt if the face isn’t square to the target line at impact. This is why a stable setup and a stroke controlled by the shoulders are so important.

Drills to Improve Your Putting Game

  • The Gate Drill: Place two tees slightly wider than your putter head a few inches in front of the ball, on your intended line. The goal is to swing the putter through the gate without hitting the tees. This helps with both alignment and path control.
  • Ladder Drill: Place balls at increasing distances (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20 feet). Practice hitting each putt, focusing on getting the ball to roll a consistent distance past the hole. This builds confidence and distance control.
  • One-Handed Drill: Practice putting with only your lead hand. This helps you feel the path and prevents excessive wrist action. Then, switch to your trail hand. Finally, combine both, feeling the same rhythm and control.
  • Clock Drill: Place balls around the hole at a consistent distance (e.g., 3 feet) like numbers on a clock. Make every putt. This is a great test of consistency and confidence.

Common mistakes

  • Inconsistent Setup — Why it matters: A different stance or ball position each time leads to an inconsistent strike and aim. Your body is your foundation; if it shifts, so does your stroke. — Fix: Develop a strict pre-putt routine and stick to it religiously. Every single putt.
  • Poor Distance Control — Why it matters: This is the main culprit behind three-putts. You either leave it way short or blast it past. — Fix: Dedicate specific practice time to lag putting drills. Focus on feel for speed, not just hitting the ball.
  • Decelerating Through Impact — Why it matters: It causes a “scooping” motion, leading to inconsistent contact and an open or closed putter face at impact. You lose power and accuracy. — Fix: Focus on maintaining your tempo and accelerating through the ball. Feel the putter head releasing towards the target.
  • Too Much Wrist Action — Why it matters: This leads to an unstable putter face and an inconsistent stroke path. Your hands take over instead of your shoulders. — Fix: Practice drills that promote shoulder rotation, like the one-handed drill or focusing on keeping your wrists firm but not locked.
  • Ignoring Green Reading — Why it matters: You can have a perfect stroke, but if you misread the break, the ball won’t go in. — Fix: Spend time on the practice green learning to read slopes. Look at the overall shape of the green and visualize the ball’s path.

FAQ

  • What is the ideal putting stroke tempo?

There isn’t one single tempo that works for everyone, but a common and effective tempo involves a slightly shorter backswing and a longer, accelerating follow-through, often in a 1:2 ratio. Think of it as a smooth “tick-tock” or “one-two” rhythm, with the “two” being slightly longer and more fluid. The key is consistency for your stroke.

  • How often should I practice putting?

Consistency is king. Aim to practice putting at least 2-3 times a week, even if it’s just for 15-20 minutes. A good rule of thumb is to spend at least 40% of your practice time on the putting green. It’s where most strokes are made.

  • What is the best way to practice green reading?

Start by walking around the putt and looking at it from different angles. Pay attention to the overall slope of the green and how it affects your specific putt. Use your feet to feel the slope. Imagine water flowing on the green; where would it go? Practice using your putter to feel the break by placing it on the line you think the ball will travel.

  • Should I use the line on my golf ball to putt?

Yes, using the line on your golf ball can be a fantastic tool for alignment. It helps you aim the clubface more accurately. However, don’t rely on it solely. You still need to develop the skill of seeing the line yourself and understanding how the putter face needs to be aimed to match that line.

  • How important is putter length?

Putter length is critical for establishing a good posture. If your putter is too long, you’ll have to stand too tall and might manipulate your arms. If it’s too short, you’ll have to bend too much, which can lead to inconsistent contact and a restricted stroke. The right length allows for a balanced, athletic stance with your eyes comfortably over the ball.

  • What’s the difference between a good putting stroke and just getting lucky?

Luck plays a small part, but a good putting stroke is built on consistency and control. It’s about having a repeatable setup, a smooth tempo, and a square putter face at impact, allowing you to roll the ball on your intended line with the correct speed. Luck is when a poorly executed putt goes in; skill is when you make putts consistently because your technique is sound.

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