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Improve Your Golf Putting

ByMichael Reeves

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Short Game Mastery


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Quick Answer

  • Focus on a repeatable setup and a smooth, pendulum-like stroke. Consistency is king out there.
  • Practice under pressure with drills that mimic real-course situations. Gotta get your mind right.
  • Master green reading and speed control. It’s about knowing where the ball will go and how hard to hit it.

Who This Is For

  • Any golfer, from weekend warriors to scratch players, who wants to see their scorecard shrink. Lowering your handicap starts on the greens.
  • Players who are tired of leaving easy putts short, blowing them by the hole, or three-putting their way to a higher score. We’ve all been there.

What to Check First for Better Golf Putting

  • Your Grip: Is it neutral and relaxed? Too much tension in your hands is a stroke killer. Make sure your thumbs are generally on top of the grip and your hands feel like they’re working together, not fighting.
  • Your Stance: Are your feet about shoulder-width apart? Is your weight balanced, maybe slightly forward? You want a stable base, not one that shifts with every stroke.
  • Ball Position: Is it consistent? Most players do well with the ball just inside their lead heel, but find what works for your setup and stick with it.
  • Eye Line: Are your eyes directly over the ball or slightly inside? This helps you see the line clearly. Don’t crane your neck; keep it comfortable.
  • Clubface Alignment: When you set up, does the clubface look square to your intended line? A quick check in a mirror or with an alignment stick can save you strokes.

Step-by-Step Plan to Improve Your Golf Putting

Nail Your Putting Setup

  • Action: Assess your current putting grip.
  • What to look for: Even pressure across your hands, relaxed wrists, and a clubface that looks square to your target. Your grip should feel comfortable and allow for free movement of your arms and shoulders.
  • Mistake to avoid: Gripping the putter too tightly. This is probably the most common mistake. It kills feel, restricts your stroke, and makes it impossible to get a smooth pendulum motion. Think about holding a baby bird – firm enough so it doesn’t escape, but gentle enough not to hurt it.

Establish a Consistent Stroke

  • Action: Practice your stroke path.
  • What to look for: A smooth, pendulum-like motion powered by your shoulders. Your wrists should remain relatively still, and the putter head should move in a consistent arc back and through. Imagine your arms and shoulders forming a triangle that stays intact throughout the stroke.
  • Mistake to avoid: Trying to “hit” or “guide” the ball with your hands or wrists. This leads to an inconsistent stroke and often results in the dreaded “yips.” The goal is to stroke the ball, letting the putter face do the work. Think about moving the putter head, not forcing the ball.

Master Distance Control

  • Action: Work on distance control with varied putts.
  • What to look for: The ability to consistently get the ball to the hole or just past it on longer putts. This means feeling the difference in stroke length and tempo needed for different distances.
  • Mistake to avoid: Only practicing short, makeable putts. You need to know how hard to hit it from 30, 50, and even 70 feet. If you can’t get the ball close on long putts, you’re setting yourself up for three-putts. Spend ample time just focusing on speed, not the hole.

Develop Your Green Reading Skills

  • Action: Practice green reading techniques.
  • What to look for: Understanding how slope, grain, and moisture affect the ball’s roll. This involves looking at the putt from behind the ball, behind the hole, and from the side to get a full picture of the break.
  • Mistake to avoid: Guessing your line or only looking from one angle. Take your time, walk the putt, and visualize the ball’s path. A good read is half the battle, and it gives you the confidence to make a committed stroke. You can find more tips on How to Improve Putting.

Implement a Pre-Shot Routine

  • Action: Develop and stick to a pre-shot routine.
  • What to look for: A routine that helps you feel confident and prepared before every putt. This might include taking practice strokes, visualizing the putt, and confirming your aim.
  • Mistake to avoid: Rushing your preparation or having a different routine for every putt. A consistent routine calms your nerves and ensures you address every putt with the same focused mindset. This is key to improving your golf putting.

How to Improve Putting in Golf: Common Mistakes and Fixes

Here’s where many golfers trip up. Avoiding these common pitfalls can seriously boost your putting game.

  • Mistake: Gripping too tightly.
  • Why it matters: Restricts stroke fluidity and feel, leading to a jerky motion and loss of touch.
  • Fix: Consciously relax your hands. Use a lighter grip pressure, as if you were holding a delicate object. Your hands should feel connected but not tense.
  • Mistake: Inconsistent setup.
  • Why it matters: Leads to varied ball position, eye line, and body posture, making a repeatable stroke impossible.
  • Fix: Establish a solid pre-shot routine that includes checking your alignment, ball position, and eye line every time. Use alignment aids on the practice green to ingrain the correct setup.
  • Mistake: Poor distance control.
  • Why it matters: Results in too many long putts and three-putts, significantly inflating your score.
  • Fix: Practice distance drills like the ladder drill (hitting putts to progressively longer distances) and focus solely on speed and tempo without worrying about making the putt.
  • Mistake: Too much wrist action.
  • Why it matters: Causes an inconsistent stroke path and makes it difficult to control the clubface through impact.
  • Fix: Focus on a shoulder-driven pendulum motion. Keep your wrists firm but not locked, allowing your shoulders to dictate the swing length and tempo.
  • Mistake: Not committing to the read.
  • Why it matters: Leads to missed putts you should make because you don’t trust your read or stroke with conviction.
  • Fix: Trust your green reading. Once you’ve analyzed the putt, commit to your line and stroke with confidence. Hesitation is the enemy of a good putt.
  • Mistake: Looking up too soon.
  • Why it matters: Pulling your head up early causes your body to move, disrupting the stroke and affecting the putter face at impact.
  • Fix: Keep your head still and eyes focused on the ball until after it has left the putter face. Imagine your head is bolted to the ground for a moment longer.
  • Mistake: Using the wrong putter for your stroke.
  • Why it matters: While technique is paramount, an ill-fitting putter can exacerbate stroke flaws or feel awkward, hindering confidence.
  • Fix: If you’ve worked on your technique and are still struggling, consider getting fitted for a putter that suits your stroke type (e.g., face-balanced for a straight-back-straight-through stroke, toe-hang for an arc stroke).

FAQ

  • What is the ideal grip for putting?

There’s no single “ideal” grip, as personal preference plays a huge role. However, the most effective grips are generally neutral, with light pressure, and allow for a free-flowing stroke driven by the shoulders. Common options include the reverse overlap (where the index finger of the top hand rests between the ring and pinky finger of the bottom hand) and the cross-handed (or left-hand-low) grip, which can help keep the wrists quiet. The key is finding a grip that feels comfortable, promotes a consistent stroke, and allows you to feel the putter head.

  • How do I improve my distance control on the greens?

Distance control is all about speed and tempo. A fantastic drill is the “ladder drill,” where you hit putts to different distances, say 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 feet, focusing on the length of your backswing and follow-through to achieve the correct speed. Another effective method is to practice hitting putts without looking at the hole; just focus on the force and feel required to get the ball to a specific spot on the green. You can also use a speed stick or simply gauge your swing length.

  • What are the best drills for practicing putting?

Beyond the ladder drill, the “Gate Drill” is excellent for improving your stroke path and starting the ball on your intended line. Place two tees slightly wider than your putter head a few inches in front of the ball, and try to stroke the ball through the gate. Practicing putts to different hole locations on a practice green, simulating various slopes and lengths, is also highly beneficial. For more detailed guidance on drills, check out How to Improve Your Golf Putting.

  • Should I change my putter if I’m not putting well?

While a new putter can sometimes provide a confidence boost, it’s rarely the sole solution for poor putting. Your technique, setup, and practice routine are far more critical. Before considering a new putter, focus on mastering your grip, stance, and stroke. If you’ve diligently worked on these aspects and still feel your current putter isn’t a good fit for your stroke or feels uncomfortable, then a fitting might be worthwhile.

  • How important is green reading?

Green reading is absolutely crucial and often underestimated. A perfect stroke won’t make a putt if you haven’t accurately assessed the break and speed. This involves understanding how the contours of the green, the direction of the grass grain (if applicable), and moisture levels will affect the ball’s roll. Spend time observing the green from multiple angles, and trust your read. It’s the foundation for making putts.

  • How often should I practice putting?

Consistency is key. Even 15-20 minutes of focused putting practice a few times a week can make a significant difference. It’s better to have short, regular sessions than one long marathon session every month. Try to incorporate putting practice into your warm-up before playing a round, and dedicate specific time on the practice green to work on drills and different types of putts.

  • What’s the best way to practice short putts (inside 6 feet)?

Short putts build confidence and save strokes. Focus on a solid setup and a smooth, pendulum stroke. Practice the “make-or-miss” drill: if you make five in a row, you can move on; if you miss, you start over. This simulates the pressure of needing to make those crucial short ones. Also, practice putting from different angles around the hole to get comfortable with various lies and breaks.

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