How to Use a Putting Mirror for Better Accuracy

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Short Game Mastery

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Quick answer

• Lay the mirror flat on your intended putt line.
• Align your eyes and putter face to the reflection.
• Practice your stroke, keeping everything locked in place.

Who this is for

• Any golfer who wants to drain more putts. Seriously.
• Players who struggle with consistent alignment and want a simple fix.

What to check first for How to Use a Putting Mirror

• Surface check: Is it flat and level? No dice if it’s wobbly.
• Line check: Is the mirror directly on your intended path? Gotta be straight.
• Eye check: Are your peepers right over the ball’s reflection? Crucial.
• Face check: Is your putter face square to the mirror at address? This is non-negotiable.

Step-by-step plan: How to Use a Putting Mirror Effectively

1. Action: Find a flat spot on the practice green.

What to look for: A smooth, level surface where the mirror won’t rock or tilt.
Mistake to avoid: Plopping it down on a bumpy patch. This makes the reflection wonky and useless.

2. Action: Position the putting mirror on your target line.

What to look for: The edge of the mirror should be parallel to the line you want the ball to roll on.
Mistake to avoid: Eyeballing the line. Use your ball and maybe a tee to mark it if you’re unsure. Precision matters here.

3. Action: Set up to your ball like you normally would.

What to look for: Your eyes should be directly above the reflection of your ball in the mirror. This is your sweet spot.
Mistake to avoid: Having your eyes too far inside or outside the ball’s reflection. This throws off your whole perspective and alignment.

4. Action: Check your putter face alignment in the mirror.

What to look for: The face of your putter should be perfectly square to the mirror’s edge. Think 90 degrees.
Mistake to avoid: Addressing the ball with an open or closed putter face. The mirror will expose this flaw instantly.

5. Action: Make practice strokes, focusing on the reflection.

What to look for: Keep your eyes locked on the ball’s reflection and ensure the putter face stays square to the mirror throughout your entire stroke – backswing and follow-through.
Mistake to avoid: Lifting your head or letting your eyes wander. Stay focused on that reflection like it owes you money.

6. Action: Practice short putts, then gradually increase distance.

What to look for: A smooth, pendulum-like stroke where the putter face returns to square at impact and through the finish.
Mistake to avoid: Developing a jerky or inconsistent stroke. The mirror helps you feel the proper path. I learned this the hard way on a few shorties.

7. Action: Remove the mirror and try to replicate the feeling.

What to look for: Can you make a stroke that feels and looks like the one you practiced with the mirror?
Mistake to avoid: Relying solely on the mirror and not internalizing the feel. The goal is to take that feedback onto the course.

How to Use a Putting Mirror: Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Mirror placed on an uneven surface.

Why it matters: Distorts the reflection, making it impossible to get a true read on your alignment and stroke path. It’s like trying to shave with a warped mirror.
Fix: Always find a flat, level spot on the practice green. If you can’t find one, just work on your feel or find another spot.

• Mistake: Eyes not directly over the ball’s reflection.

Why it matters: Leads to inaccurate alignment and a flawed perception of your stroke path. You’re essentially looking at the wrong angle, which messes everything up.
Fix: Adjust your stance and posture until your pupils are perfectly centered over the ball’s image in the mirror. It might feel a little different at first, but it’s worth it.

• Mistake: Putter face not square at address.

Why it matters: Creates an immediate alignment issue before you even start your stroke. The ball will go where the face is pointed, mirror or no mirror.
Fix: Use the mirror to ensure the putter face is parallel to the mirror’s edge before you take your practice strokes. This is your foundation.

• Mistake: Focusing too much on the ball and not the reflection.

Why it matters: The whole point of the tool is to use the mirror for feedback. If you ignore it, you’re not getting the benefit. It’s like having a coach but not listening to them.
Fix: Consciously direct your gaze to the reflection of your eyes and putter face in the mirror. Train yourself to look where the feedback is.

• Mistake: Moving your head during the stroke.

Why it matters: Any head movement breaks your consistent eye position, leading to inconsistent contact and direction. Your head is the anchor.
Fix: Keep your head as still as possible, locked on the reflection of the ball throughout your stroke. Imagine your head is screwed to the ground.

• Mistake: Only practicing with the mirror.

Why it matters: While great for feedback, you need to be able to putt well without it. The mirror is a training aid, not a crutch.
Fix: Regularly take the mirror away and try to replicate the feeling and alignment you achieved with it. This helps internalize the proper stroke.

• Mistake: Using the mirror on too many different putt lengths.

Why it matters: While it’s versatile, it’s most effective for short to mid-range putts where alignment is paramount. Long putts involve more pace control.
Fix: Focus its use on putts from 3 to 15 feet initially. Once you’ve grooved that, you can experiment, but prioritize the core alignment feedback.

FAQ

• How do I set up a putting mirror?

Place the mirror on a flat surface on your intended putting line. Position yourself so your eyes are directly over the reflection of the ball, and ensure your putter face is square to the mirror. It’s all about getting that perfect alignment from the start.

• What is the correct eye position when using a putting mirror?

Your eyes should be directly above the reflection of the ball in the mirror. This ensures you have a consistent and accurate perspective on your alignment and stroke path. It’s like looking straight down the barrel of a rifle.

• How can a putting mirror help with my putting stroke?

It provides immediate visual feedback on your eye alignment, putter face squareness, and stroke path. This helps you identify and correct flaws, leading to a more consistent and accurate stroke. Using a Putting Mirror to Improve Your Stroke can really boost your game [1]. It’s like having a personal putting coach right there with you.

• Can I use a putting mirror on any surface?

It’s best used on a flat, level putting green. While you can technically place it on other surfaces like carpet indoors, the accuracy of the feedback will be compromised if the surface isn’t perfectly level. Always aim for the flattest ground you can find.

• How often should I use a putting mirror?

Incorporate it into your regular practice routine. It’s a fantastic tool for warm-ups to dial in your setup and for dedicated practice sessions to groove your stroke. Even 10-15 minutes with it can make a big difference.

• What’s the difference between a putting mirror and an alignment stick?

Alignment sticks are great for marking a line and giving you a visual reference point. A putting mirror, however, gives you direct feedback on your eye position and putter face alignment relative to that line. It’s a more active feedback tool.

• Can a putting mirror help with distance control?

Indirectly, yes. By helping you achieve a more consistent stroke path and square face at impact, it can lead to more solid contact. Solid contact is a big part of controlling distance, but the mirror itself doesn’t measure pace.

Sources:

• Using a Putting Mirror to Improve Your Stroke