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Two Fundamental Keys To Improving Your Golf Putting Stroke

ByMichael Reeves

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Short Game Mastery


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Quick Answer

  • Develop a consistent pendulum motion using your shoulders.
  • Ensure the putter face is square to your target at impact.
  • Maintain a stable setup and relaxed grip pressure.

Who This Is For

  • Golfers of all skill levels who want to see more putts drop and their scores fall. This is for you if you’re tired of three-putts.
  • Players who struggle with either distance control or direction on the greens, or both. You know, the ones that leave you muttering to yourself.

What Two Things Are Fundamental to Good Putting: First Checks

  • Grip Pressure: Grab that putter like you’re holding a baby bird, not a baseball bat. Too tight and you lose all feel. Too loose and you might drop it. Find that sweet spot.
  • Putter Face Angle at Impact: This is huge. Is that putter face square to your target line when it hits the ball? If it’s open or closed, even a great stroke won’t find the hole.
  • Pendulum Motion: Does the putter head swing back and through like a smooth pendulum on a grandfather clock? Or is it jerky and all arms and wrists? We want smooth.
  • Setup Consistency: Are your eyes over the ball? Shoulders relaxed? Stance comfortable? This is your launchpad. A wobbly setup means a wobbly putt.

If you’re struggling with your putter face angle, consider investing in a quality golf putter that feels balanced and comfortable in your hands.

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Step-by-Step Plan to Improve Your Putting Stroke

  • Action: Assess your current grip. What to look for: Even, light pressure in both hands. No tension creeping into your fingers or wrists. Your hands should feel connected to the putter, not fighting it. Mistake to avoid: Squeezing the putter too hard. This kills feel, restricts your stroke, and makes it impossible to get the putter face square. It’s like trying to paint with a clenched fist.
  • Action: Establish a consistent setup. What to look for: Eyes directly over the ball, so you’re looking down the line naturally. Shoulders relaxed, not hunched. A comfortable, athletic stance that allows you to swing freely. Mistake to avoid: Slouching or adopting an overly rigid, unnatural posture. You need to feel balanced and ready to move, not like a statue.
  • Action: Practice the pendulum drill (putter head only). What to look for: A smooth, consistent backswing and follow-through, driven by your shoulders. The putter head should feel like it’s swinging on a string. Minimal wrist action. Mistake to avoid: Using your wrists to generate power or lift the putter. This leads to inconsistency and a flippy motion that’s hard to control.
  • Action: Focus on squaring the putter face at impact. What to look for: The putter face is aimed precisely at your target line at the exact moment it contacts the ball. This is where direction is set. Mistake to avoid: Allowing the face to open or close through the stroke. This is a common reason putts miss left or right, even with a good stroke.
  • Action: Practice short putts with your eyes closed. What to look for: Feeling the consistent pendulum motion and the sweet spot of the putter making contact with the ball. Can you feel the stroke and the impact? Mistake to avoid: Relying solely on sight. This drill helps you develop an internal feel for the stroke’s length and impact, crucial for distance control.
  • Action: Work on distance control with longer putts. What to look for: Consistent stroke length for different distances. The backswing and follow-through should be proportional to the length of the putt. Maintain the same tempo. Mistake to avoid: Trying to “hit” the ball harder on longer putts. This disrupts your tempo and stroke path. Think “longer swing,” not “harder swing.”
  • Action: Incorporate alignment aids into your practice. What to look for: Using an alignment stick on the ground to ensure your putter face is aimed correctly at your intended start line. Mistake to avoid: Guessing your alignment. Most amateurs aim left of the target on putts going downhill and right on putts going uphill. Use the stick.
  • Action: Develop a pre-putt routine. What to look for: A repeatable sequence of actions before every putt, including waggle, alignment check, and visualizing the putt. Mistake to avoid: Rushing your preparation or changing your routine. Consistency here translates to confidence on the course.

To really solidify these actions, incorporating golf training aids can be incredibly beneficial for practicing your pendulum motion and alignment.

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Common Mistakes in Putting Stroke Fundamentals

  • Grip pressure too tight — Why it matters: It causes inconsistent putter head release and loss of feel, making distance control a nightmare. Your hands become stiff, and the putter can’t move freely. — Fix: Loosen your grip, aim for a relaxed hold. Think of holding a delicate flower.
  • Overuse of wrists — Why it matters: This leads to a jerky, inconsistent stroke and poor face control, sending putts wildly offline. It’s a common culprit for missed putts. — Fix: Focus on a shoulder-driven pendulum motion. Keep those wrists firm and quiet, allowing the shoulders to rock.
  • Poor alignment — Why it matters: You can have the most beautiful stroke in the world, but if you’re not aimed correctly, you’ll miss. It’s a fundamental flaw that wastes good strokes. — Fix: Use alignment aids on the practice green and make a conscious effort to aim your putter face before every stroke on the course.
  • Inconsistent setup — Why it matters: A shaky foundation means a shaky stroke. Every putt should start from the same balanced position. — Fix: Develop a pre-putt routine to ensure your stance, posture, and ball position are identical for every putt.
  • Lack of tempo — Why it matters: An uneven stroke speed throws off both distance and direction. A rushed backswing often leads to a decelerating follow-through, or vice-versa. — Fix: Practice with a metronome or count “one-two” for your backswing and follow-through to build a smooth, consistent rhythm.
  • Looking up too soon — Why it matters: Lifting your head to see where the ball is going causes your body to move, disrupting the stroke and putter face angle. — Fix: Keep your head down until you feel the putter has completed its follow-through. Trust your stroke.

FAQ

  • What is the ideal grip pressure for putting? Aim for a light, consistent pressure, similar to holding a small bird. Too much tension kills feel and control, making it hard to gauge distance.
  • How can I ensure my putter face is square at impact? Practice drills that emphasize a pendulum motion driven by the shoulders and focus on keeping your wrists firm and quiet. Using an alignment stick on the ground during practice can also help you visualize a square face.
  • What is the best way to practice distance control? Hit putts of varying lengths on the practice green without changing your stroke tempo. Focus on making your backswing and follow-through proportionally longer or shorter for each distance. Imagine the length of your swing corresponds to the length of the putt.
  • Should my eyes be directly over the ball? Generally, yes. Having your eyes directly over the ball helps ensure your putter head is approaching the ball from a neutral angle, promoting a square face at impact and a consistent view of the putting line.
  • How important is the pendulum motion in putting? It’s absolutely fundamental. A pendulum motion, driven by the shoulders, creates a repeatable, consistent stroke and helps control the putter face through impact, which is critical for accuracy.
  • What if I have a tendency to pull or push putts? This often points to issues with your putter face control at impact. Revisit the pendulum drill and focus on keeping your wrists quiet. Also, check your alignment – are you actually aiming where you think you are?
  • How can I practice putting when I only have a few minutes? Even five minutes of focused practice can make a difference. Work on your grip and setup, then hit 10-15 short putts (5-10 feet) focusing on a smooth pendulum and a square face.

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