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The Art Of Putting: A Beginner’s Guide To The Green

ByMichael Reeves

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Short Game Mastery


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Quick Answer

  • Putting is the delicate stroke used on the green to guide the golf ball into the cup.
  • It demands precision, a feel for the green’s contours, and control over your stroke.
  • Mastering the art of putting is your express ticket to a lower score.

Who This Is For

  • New golfers trying to wrap their heads around the fundamentals of the game.
  • Anyone who wants to shave strokes and improve their short game.

What is Putting: A Foundational Check

Before you step on the green, let’s make sure you’re set up right. This is about building a solid foundation.

  • Putter Grip: This is your connection to the club. It needs to be comfortable and repeatable. You want a grip that allows for feel and control, not one that’s squeezing the life out of the putter. Think firm, but not tense. A grip that’s too tight will restrict your wrists and lead to a jerky motion. I remember my first few rounds, I was gripping the putter like it owed me money. Big mistake.
  • Putting Stance: Your stance is your anchor. It needs to be balanced and stable. Feet should be roughly shoulder-width apart, knees slightly flexed, and your weight should feel centered. You should feel grounded and ready to make a controlled stroke. If you’re leaning too far forward, you’ll be too steep; too far back, and you’ll be too upright. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where you feel athletic and balanced.
  • Stroke Motion: The ideal putting stroke is often described as a pendulum. It’s a smooth, rocking motion powered by your shoulders, not your wrists. The putter head should travel in a consistent arc back and through the ball. The goal is to minimize wrist action, which introduces inconsistency. We’re looking for a smooth, flowing motion that repeats.

Step-by-Step Plan for What is Putting

Let’s break down the process of making a putt. It’s not rocket science, but it takes practice.

1. Grip the Putter: Start by placing your hands on the putter grip. Aim for a relaxed, firm hold, where your hands feel connected and work together. Look for: A grip that feels natural and allows you to feel the putter head. Mistake to avoid: Gripping the putter too tightly. This is probably the most common mistake for beginners and even experienced players. It kills your feel and makes it hard to control the speed and direction of your putt. Just a gentle, firm hold.

2. Establish Your Stance: Position yourself over the ball. Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart, providing a stable base. Flex your knees slightly, just enough to feel athletic and balanced. Crucially, your eyes should be directly over the ball or just inside it. Look for: A balanced posture where you feel grounded and can easily rock the putter. Mistake to avoid: Leaning too far forward, which can cause you to hit the ball on the downswing, or leaning too far back, which can lead to an uphill stroke.

3. Address the Ball: Once you’re in your stance, place the putter head behind the ball. The ball should be positioned slightly forward of the center of your stance, typically in line with the heel or mid-sole of your putter. Ensure: The face of your putter is square (perpendicular) to your intended target line. This is critical for starting the ball on the right path. Mistake to avoid: Misaligning the putter face. If the face isn’t square at impact, the ball will go off-line, no matter how good your stroke is. Always double-check that face is aimed right at your target.

4. Takeaway: This is the start of your stroke. Gently rock the putter back from the ball using your shoulders and arms. The key here is to keep your wrists quiet and avoid any flicking motion. Look for: A smooth, controlled backswing that feels connected to your body. The length of your backswing will depend on the distance of the putt, but the motion should be consistent. Mistake to avoid: Trying to lift the putter with your hands or wrists. This introduces unwanted movement and makes it hard to return the putter to the same spot on the same plane.

5. Forward Stroke (Impact): As you transition from the backswing, allow the putter to swing smoothly forward towards the ball. The goal is to accelerate through the ball, not decelerate. Ensure: You are making solid contact with the center of the putter face. This provides the most consistent energy transfer and roll. Mistake to avoid: Decelerating through impact. This is a killer for short putts. It leads to the ball not getting enough pace and often staying short of the hole. Think of it as a smooth, continuous motion.

6. Follow-Through: Allow the putter to continue its arc after it strikes the ball. Your follow-through should be a natural extension of your forward stroke, mirroring your takeaway in length and tempo. Look for: A balanced finish position where your putter is held up, and you feel like you’ve completed the stroke. Mistake to avoid: Stopping your stroke abruptly right after impact. This often happens when you’re trying too hard to guide the ball or are afraid of missing. A full follow-through helps ensure you’ve committed to the stroke and provided adequate speed.

7. Read the Green: This is a crucial skill that happens before you even set up. Walk around the putt, look at it from different angles, and feel the slope with your feet. Understand how gravity will affect the ball’s roll. Look for: The general direction of the break and how much slope there is. Is it uphill, downhill, sidehill? Mistake to avoid: Not reading the green at all, or only looking at it from behind the ball. This leads to guessing and usually missed putts. A little extra time spent reading can save you strokes.

For beginners, having a reliable golf putter is essential. Look for one that feels balanced and comfortable in your hands, as this will greatly aid in developing a consistent stroke.

PutterBall Original Golf Putting Game Set – Backyard 12 ft Putting Green Pong Style Golf Mat with 2 Putters, 2 Balls & Hole Covers (Putterball Original)
PutterBall Original Golf Putting Game Set – Backyard 12 ft Putting Green Pong Style Golf Mat with 2 Putters, 2 Balls & Hole Covers (Putterball Original)
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Common Mistakes in Putting

We’ve all been there. These are the typical pitfalls that trip up golfers on the green.

  • Gripping Too Tightly — This kills your feel and control, making it difficult to judge distance and stroke the ball smoothly. — Fix: Consciously relax your grip pressure. Think of holding a small bird – firm enough so it doesn’t fly away, but gentle enough not to hurt it.
  • Over-Reliance on Wrists — Using your wrists too much leads to an inconsistent, jerky stroke that’s hard to repeat. — Fix: Focus on a pendulum motion powered by your shoulders. Keep your wrists quiet and let your arms and shoulders do the work.
  • Decelerating Through Impact — This is a major reason putts come up short. You pull back, then slow down as you reach the ball. — Fix: Maintain a smooth, consistent acceleration through the ball. Imagine your putter is swinging through the ball, not stopping at it.
  • Poor Aiming/Alignment — If your putter face isn’t aimed correctly at your target, even a perfect stroke will send the ball astray. — Fix: Practice aligning your putter face to your target before you start your stroke. Use alignment aids on your putter or practice with chalk lines.
  • Ignoring Green Reading — Not understanding the slope, grain, or speed of the green means you’re essentially guessing. — Fix: Spend time walking around your putt. Feel the slope with your feet and observe the green from multiple angles to get a better read.
  • Jerky Setup or Stroke — A nervous setup or a quick, rushed stroke leads to inconsistency. — Fix: Take a deep breath, establish a solid, balanced stance, and make your stroke with a smooth, rhythmic tempo.
  • Looking Up Too Soon — Peeking to see if the ball is going in before completing your stroke disrupts your balance and motion. — Fix: Keep your head down and your eyes focused on the ball until your stroke is fully completed. Trust the process.

FAQ

  • What is the most important aspect of putting?
  • Consistency. A repeatable setup and stroke are key to sinking more putts over time. Knowing you can trust your stroke is huge.
  • How do I read the slope of a green?
  • Walk around the putt. Feel the slope with your feet – it’s often more sensitive than your eyes. Look at the green from behind the ball, from the side, and from behind the hole. Observe how the water would drain off the green.
  • What is a good putting grip?
  • There are many variations, but the goal is a relaxed, consistent connection between your hands and the putter that allows for feel and control. Common grips include the conventional (overlapping), the reverse overlap, the cross-handed (left-hand low for righties), and the claw grip. Experiment to find what feels best and most repeatable for you.
  • How far should I stand from the ball?
  • You should stand far enough away so your arms hang naturally from your shoulders, with a slight bend in your elbows. Your eyes should be positioned directly over the ball or just inside it. This promotes a good, balanced setup.
  • What’s the deal with putter head speed?
  • It’s all about controlling the speed the putter head travels. You want a consistent speed on both the backswing and the forward stroke through the ball. This is crucial for controlling distance. A smooth, unhurried tempo is usually better than trying to “hit” the ball.
  • Does the type of putter matter for beginners?
  • While technique is paramount, a forgiving putter can certainly help. Many beginners find success with mallet-style putters or blades with a good amount of toe hang, which can help with alignment and stability. It’s worth getting fitted or trying a few different styles.
  • How much practice does putting really need?
  • A ton. Seriously, if you want to improve your score, spend a good chunk of your practice time on the putting green. Even 15-20 minutes of focused putting practice per session can make a big difference. It’s where the strokes are saved.

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