Mastering Short Putts in Golf

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Short Game Mastery

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Quick Answer: How to Make Short Putts

• Develop a rock-solid pre-putt routine. Make it the same every single time.
• Keep your putting stroke smooth and controlled, like a pendulum. Think shoulders, not wrists.
• Ensure your putter face is perfectly aligned to your intended target line. No guesswork allowed.

Who This Guide Is For

• Golfers who find those crucial putts inside 10 feet a bit nerve-wracking.
• Anyone looking to seriously shave strokes off their score by converting more of those makeable putts.

What to Check First for Short Putt Success

• Putter Grip: This is your connection to the club. Make sure it’s relaxed, not a death grip. You want to feel the putter, not fight it. A neutral grip is usually best, where your hands aren’t excessively turned.
• Alignment: This is non-negotiable. Check that your eyes are directly over the ball. Your shoulders, hips, and feet should be square to your target line. Imagine a train track – you want to be on it.
• Ball Position: Where the ball sits in your stance matters. For most players, it’s slightly forward of the center of your stance, often aligned with your lead eye. This promotes a consistent strike.
• Green Reading: Don’t underestimate the break on short putts. Even a millimeter of slope can make a difference. Take a moment to read the putt from behind the ball and then from behind the hole.

Step-by-Step Plan: How to Make Short Putts

• Establish a Consistent Routine:
• Action: Develop a pre-putt ritual. This is your mental checklist before every stroke.
• What to look for: Repeatable steps. This might include walking behind the ball to read the line, taking a couple of practice strokes to get the feel, and then stepping up to the ball to address it.
• Mistake to avoid: Rushing through your routine. This is your time to focus and prepare. Skipping steps or hurrying will only lead to uncertainty.
• Grip Adjustment:
• Action: Experiment with grip pressure and hand placement. Find what feels most comfortable and secure.
• What to look for: A relaxed, connected feel between your hands and the putter. It should feel like you’re holding a handshake, firm but not crushing. Avoid tension creeping into your forearms.
• Mistake to avoid: Squeezing the putter too hard. This is a killer for feel and creates tension that travels up your arms and into your shoulders, disrupting your stroke.
• Stance and Posture:
• Action: Find a stable, athletic stance that allows for a free-swinging motion.
• What to look for: Balanced weight distribution, with your weight mostly on the balls of your feet. Your knees should be slightly flexed, and you should feel grounded and stable, not stiff or wobbly.
• Mistake to avoid: Slouching over the ball or being too rigid. You want a posture that allows your arms to swing naturally from your shoulders.
• Pendulum Stroke:
• Action: Focus on a smooth, pendulum-like motion driven by your shoulders.
• What to look for: Your shoulders and arms moving together as a unit. The putter head should trace a consistent arc back and through the ball. There should be minimal independent movement from your wrists.
• Mistake to avoid: Using your wrists to lift or manipulate the putter. This is the most common culprit for inconsistent putts and off-line shots. Keep those wrists locked.
• Putter Face Control:
• Action: Keep the putter face square to your intended target line throughout the stroke, especially at impact.
• What to look for: The putter face pointing directly at your target when you address the ball and continuing to do so through the hitting zone. Many putters have alignment lines to help with this.
• Mistake to avoid: Opening or closing the putter face during the stroke. This leads to putts that miss left or right, even if your path is good.
• Commit and Execute:
• Action: Once you’ve completed your routine and made your decision, commit to the putt with confidence.
• What to look for: A smooth, decisive stroke. Trust the practice you’ve put in.
• Mistake to avoid: Second-guessing yourself at the last second or decelerating through the ball. This hesitation often leads to weak putts that don’t reach the hole.

Troubleshooting Common Short Putt Mistakes

• Tight Grip — Reduces feel and creates tension in the arms and shoulders, leading to an inconsistent stroke. — Loosen your grip pressure. Focus on a relaxed, flowing motion. Imagine holding a bird – you don’t want to crush it.
• Excessive Wrist Action — Leads to an inconsistent stroke path and an unstable putter face angle at impact. This is a major cause of missed putts. — Focus on a shoulder-driven pendulum stroke. Keep your wrists firm but not locked. Think of your arms and shoulders moving as one unit.
• Poor Alignment — The putter face is not aimed at the intended target line when you address the ball. This means you’re starting the ball off-line from the get-go. — Use alignment lines on your putter. Practice with alignment sticks on the practice green to ensure your body and putter are square to your line.
• Rushed Routine — Skipping steps or not giving yourself enough time to prepare and visualize the putt. This leads to uncertainty and a lack of focus. — Stick to your established pre-putt ritual, no matter what. Give yourself ample time on the greens.
• Looking Up Too Soon — Lifting your head to see the ball’s flight path before it has reached the hole. This causes your body to move and disrupts the stroke. — Keep your head down and eyes focused on the ball’s position until after impact. Trust your stroke and the feel.
• Poor Tempo — Inconsistent pace of your backswing and downswing. A jerky or rushed stroke will result in a lack of control. — Focus on a smooth, even tempo for both your backswing and follow-through. Feel like the stroke is one continuous motion.

FAQ: Making Short Putts with Confidence

• What is the ideal grip pressure for short putts?

Aim for a grip pressure that feels light and relaxed, like you’re holding a delicate flower or a tube of toothpaste without squeezing it out. The goal is to feel the putter head and maintain control without creating tension.

• How important is ball position for short putts?

It’s quite important for a consistent strike. Generally, you want the ball positioned slightly forward of the center of your stance, often aligned with your lead eye or just inside it. This helps ensure you’re hitting the ball on the upswing or at the bottom of your arc, promoting a clean roll.

• What is the most common mistake golfers make on short putts?

By far, the most common mistakes are a tight grip and excessive wrist action. These two issues create tension, reduce feel, and lead to an inconsistent putter face angle, making it incredibly difficult to hole short putts consistently.

• Should I use an alignment aid on the green?

For practice, absolutely. Alignment sticks placed parallel to your target line are fantastic for ensuring your feet, hips, and shoulders are square. The alignment line on your putter is also a great tool. Use them to dial in your aim and then try to replicate that feeling on the course.

• How much practice is needed to master short putts?

Consistency comes from repetition, and short putts are no exception. Aim for at least 10-15 minutes of focused short putt practice a few times a week. Work on putts from 3 to 6 feet, focusing on your routine, stroke, and speed. It’s a small investment of time that yields big scoring rewards.

• What’s the best way to practice short putts?

Set up a mini-practice station. Place balls at varying distances around a hole – 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet – and practice making each one. Focus on your routine for every single putt. You can also use games, like trying to make 10 putts in a row from a specific spot.

• How do I deal with nerves on short putts?

Nerves are normal, but a solid routine is your best defense. It gives you something concrete to focus on, taking your mind off the outcome. Deep breaths before you start your routine can also help calm your system. Trust your preparation, and remember that even pros miss short putts sometimes. Just focus on making a good stroke.