Learning to Putt in Golf

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Short Game Mastery

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Quick Answer

• Dial in your setup: grip, stance, and alignment are non-negotiable.
• Develop a smooth, repeatable stroke. Think pendulum, not flick.
• Practice like you play. Get on the greens and make some putts.

Who This Is For

• Beginner golfers who are tired of three-putting their way around the course.
• Intermediate players who know they’re leaving too many strokes on the green and want to shave strokes off their game.
• Anyone looking to build more confidence and consistency with their putter.

What to Check First

• Putter Length: This is a big one. You want to stand naturally over the ball with your arms hanging comfortably. Your hands should be roughly 4-6 inches from your body. If your putter is too long, you’ll have to stand too upright, which throws off your balance and stroke. Too short, and you’ll be hunched over, which also ain’t good. I once played with a putter that was way too long for me. Felt like I was trying to putt with a pool cue. It was rough.
• Grip: Is it neutral and comfortable? You want light pressure, like you’re holding a delicate bird. Too tight and you lose all feel for the clubface. Experiment with different grips (conventional, cross-handed, claw) to find what feels most stable and allows for a smooth stroke.
• Alignment: Are you aimed straight at your target? This is arguably the most critical part. Use an alignment stick on the practice green, or the lines on your putter itself. Your putter face needs to be square to your target line at address.
• Ball Position: Where is the ball in your stance? For most golfers, it’s slightly forward of the center of your stance, usually just inside your lead heel. This needs to be consistent for every putt.
• Posture: Are you balanced? You should have a slight bend in your knees, with your weight balanced. Your eyes should be directly over the ball or slightly inside that line.

Step-by-Step Plan to Uh Oh Happy Learned How to Putt

This is where we start building that solid putting foundation. It’s not rocket science, but it takes focus.

1. Establish Your Setup Routine.

• Action: Develop a consistent sequence of actions you perform before every single putt. This might include walking into your putt, visualizing the line, wagging the putter, taking your stance, and checking alignment.
• What to look for: A repeatable, comfortable sequence that calms your nerves and gets you focused. You should feel like you’re going through the motions almost automatically.
• Mistake to avoid: Rushing your routine or skipping steps. This is a fast track to sloppy setup, an inconsistent clubface, and ultimately, missed putts. Take your time, especially on the practice green.

2. Grip It Lightly and Consistently.

• Action: Apply minimal, consistent pressure to your putter grip. Imagine holding a small bird – firm enough so it doesn’t escape, but not so tight that you crush it.
• What to look for: A relaxed feel in your hands, wrists, and forearms. Your grip should feel secure without any tension. You should be able to feel the putter head.
• Mistake to avoid: Squeezing the life out of the putter. This is a surefire way to kill feel, introduce tension, and make your stroke jerky and inconsistent. If your knuckles are white, ease up.

3. Align Your Putter Face Squarely.

• Action: Use the alignment aids on your putter (lines, dots) or an alignment stick on the practice green to ensure the putter face is aimed directly at your intended target line.
• What to look for: The putter face pointing precisely at your line of aim. This is crucial before you even think about the stroke.
• Mistake to avoid: Aiming your body and feet at the hole, but having the putter face aimed elsewhere. Your body will naturally follow the clubface, so get the clubface aimed first.

4. Find Your Balanced Stance.

• Action: Stand with your feet roughly shoulder-width apart, or slightly narrower, with a slight bend in your knees. Your weight should feel balanced, allowing for a stable base.
• What to look for: A grounded, athletic posture. Your eyes should be directly over the ball or just inside that line. You should feel comfortable and stable, ready to make a stroke.
• Mistake to avoid: Getting your stance too wide, which can restrict movement, or too narrow, which can lead to instability. You need to feel grounded but agile.

5. Develop a Pendulum Stroke.

• Action: Keep your wrists firm and quiet. Allow your shoulders to drive the putting stroke, creating a smooth, rocking motion. Think of your arms and the putter as a single unit.
• What to look for: A smooth, consistent arc where the putter head swings back and through the ball. Your shoulders should turn slightly back and then through, creating a natural pendulum motion.
• Mistake to avoid: Using your hands and wrists to “hit” or “scoop” at the ball. This is a major cause of inconsistency, causing the clubface to open or close unpredictably.

6. Practice Distance Control Drills.

• Action: Hit putts of varying lengths, focusing intently on the length of your backswing and follow-through. Practice lag putts from 30, 40, and 50 feet.
• What to look for: A feel for how far the ball rolls based on your stroke tempo and the length of your backswing. You want to get a sense of how much you need to accelerate through the ball.
• Mistake to avoid: Only practicing short putts. While making those is important, neglecting lag putts means you’ll be leaving yourself long second putts, which are often missed. Learn to get it close.

7. Learn to Read the Greens Accurately.

• Action: Before every putt, take time to walk around your ball and observe the terrain between your ball and the hole. Look for slopes, high points, and low points.
• What to look for: How the green breaks. Imagine a ball rolling on that slope – where would it go? Consider the grain of the grass as well, as it can affect speed.
• Mistake to avoid: Guessing the break or not taking the time to read it. Even a slight miscalculation on a breaking putt can mean missing the hole entirely.

Uh Oh Happy, I Learned How to Putt: Common Mistakes

Even when you’re trying your best, it’s easy to fall into bad habits. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

• Inconsistent Setup — Why it matters: Every time you set up differently, you’re asking for a different result. This leads to varied clubface angles at impact and inconsistent ball striking. It’s like trying to hit a baseball with a different stance every swing. — Fix: Implement a strict pre-putt routine and always check your alignment and ball position before every putt. Trust your setup.

• Over-reliance on Hands and Wrists — Why it matters: This is probably the biggest culprit for inconsistent putting. Using your hands and wrists to “hit” or “guide” the ball causes jerky strokes, loss of control, and an open or closed clubface. — Fix: Focus on a smooth, controlled stroke driven by the rotation of your shoulders. Keep your wrists firm and quiet, allowing your shoulders to create that pendulum motion.

• Poor Distance Control — Why it matters: This results in leaving putts too short (unacceptable!) or too long (leading to difficult comebackers). It’s a direct consequence of inconsistent tempo and backswing length. — Fix: Practice tempo drills religiously. Focus on making your backswing and follow-through equal lengths for putts of various distances. Feel the rhythm.

• Looking Up Too Soon — Why it matters: As soon as you lift your head to see where the ball is going, your entire stroke can break down. Your body shifts, your shoulders move, and the putter face can open or close. — Fix: Keep your head and eyes still until the putter has swung through the ball and it’s well on its way. Trust your stroke and the feel you’ve developed.

• Aiming Too Far Left or Right — Why it matters: Even a slight miscalculation on the green can mean missing the hole entirely, especially on longer putts. It’s frustrating to hit a good putt that misses by inches because of poor aim. — Fix: Use alignment aids diligently on the practice green. Learn to trust your putter’s face alignment. Visualize the ball rolling on your intended line.

• Ignoring Green Reading — Why it matters: Greens are rarely flat. Not understanding the slopes, breaks, and grain can lead to misjudging speed and line, resulting in missed putts. — Fix: Take the time to walk around your putt and observe the contours. Learn to see the break from different angles. Practice reading greens on every hole.

• Practicing Without Purpose — Why it matters: Mindlessly hitting putts without a goal won’t improve your game. You need focused practice. — Fix: Set specific goals for your practice sessions. Work on different distances, practice lag putting, and simulate pressure situations with drills.

FAQ

• How do I choose the right putter length?

The goal is to stand naturally over the ball with your arms hanging comfortably. Your hands should be about 4-6 inches away from your body. You shouldn’t feel like you’re reaching or hunching. If you’re unsure, check the manual for your putter or verify with the manufacturer’s recommendations. A properly fitted putter makes a huge difference.

• What is the ideal grip pressure for putting?

Think of holding a baby bird. You want it firm enough so it won’t fly away, but light enough that you don’t crush it. Very little pressure is key. Excessive grip pressure introduces tension into your arms and shoulders, which kills feel and makes your stroke jerky. Aim for a relaxed, secure grip.

• How can I improve my putting tempo?

Tempo is all about rhythm and consistency. Practice drills that focus on making your backswing and follow-through equal in length and speed. A common drill is to make your backswing and follow-through the same length for a 3-foot putt, then gradually increase the length for longer putts while maintaining that consistent tempo. Listening to music with a steady beat can also help internalize a good rhythm.

• Should I use a cross-handed (left-hand low) grip?

Many golfers, including some professionals, find success with a cross-handed grip. It can help quiet the hands and wrists, promoting a more stable, shoulder-driven stroke. If you struggle with excessive wrist action, it’s definitely worth experimenting with to see if it feels more stable and consistent for you.

• How important is reading the green?

It’s critically important. Greens are rarely perfectly flat. A putt that looks straight might have a significant break, and a putt that looks like it breaks a lot might actually be more subtle. Learning to observe the slopes, understand how the ball will react to them, and even consider the grain of the grass is essential for making more putts. Don’t just look from behind the ball; walk around it.

• What’s the best way to practice putting?

Don’t just stand on the practice green and hit random putts. Practice with purpose. Work on specific distances, focusing on getting your lag putts close to the hole. Practice short putts where you need to be precise with your stroke and aim. Simulate real course conditions by putting on different slopes and speeds. Drills like the “ladder drill” (putting to progressively longer distances) or “clock drill” (putting from various points around the hole) are excellent.

• My putter feels too heavy. Can I adjust that?

Yes, putter weight can often be adjusted. Many putters have removable weights in the sole or the hosel. You can add or remove these weights, or even swap them for different ones, to change the overall feel and swing weight of the putter. Check your putter’s manual or consult with a golf professional or club fitter to see what options are available for your specific model. Adjusting weight can significantly impact your feel and control.