Perfect Putting

Basics

Take your stance with your eyes over the ball. Your shoulders and putter face should be square to the target line. The ball should be positioned off your left toe or instep.

Your stance should be steady with your weight favoring your left side. Begin your stroke with a low and slow takeaway. Follow through down the line toward your intermediate target.

Accelerate your stroke through the ball. Deceleration is the major cause of missed putts. A shortened backswing will give you a more accelerating stroke and follow-through.

Purpose
To develop repeatable and successful putting mechanics. The only way to develop a successful putting stroke is through practice. The following basic elements are critical:

Eyes over the ball
Straight back and straight through motion
Accelerating stroke
Steady stance with weight favoring left side

To understand the stroke and strategy of putting There is no specific right way or wrong way to putt. Putting is the most individualized of all golf strokes. However, there are certain characteristics which are common among successful putters. Imitating these traits can give you a head start toward developing your own successful putting stroke. The only way to develop your own stroke and become a successful putter is to practice. Putting accounts for over 40% of your strokes on the course. A significant part of your practice time should be devoted to putting. Doing basic putting drills will assure solid putting mechanics. After you develop solid putting mechanics, you can make putting more fun by engaging in competitive putting practice. Find a practice partner and compete in as many competitive putting games and drills as possible. Organize a putting tournament. Enjoy your practice and have fun. It is the fastest way to improve your score.

Do and Don'ts
The most effective time to practice putting is after your round. Also, during the week, stop at the course after work and you will usually find the putting green open and waiting for you. Weekly practice will help reduce tension which is a major cause of putting problems.

Perfect Putting

Watch the great putters. They all have differences in style, but there are certain key traits they share. Learning these traits and integrating them into your game through practice will give you a head start toward developing your own successful putting stroke.

The best place to watch good putters is in their natural habitat: on the practice green. Notice how they view the green from different angles to judge break and grain. Observe how they set up to putt the same way each time. This is all part of their standard pre-putt routine.

Purpose
To know the common traits of good putters. Good putters share the following traits:

Confidence (from repeated success through practice)
Eyes over the ball
A light grip, firm wrists and relaxed arms
Head still and down
A low and slow takeaway
An accelerating stroke
Control distance by the length of their stroke
Mostly an arm and shoulder movement
Shoulders square to the target
Putter blade square and vertical to the ball
Focus on an intermediate target spot
Long follow-through toward the hole

To know the variables of a good putting stroke. Some golfers use a popping stroke when putting as opposed to a smooth steady one. Some use a "wristy" stroke. You can be a "hard charger" type putter, or a "die it in the hole" type. (Recent research has shown the optimum speed for putting would roll the ball by the hole 12-18 inches.) The stance may be open, closed, or square but eyes are always over the ball and the shoulders are square to the target. The stance may be upright or crouched. Balance is whatever keeps the head and body still. Your grip is a simple matter of taste, feel, comfort, and success.

Do and Don'ts
It is not enough only to know what good putters do, you must practice until these skills become part of your game.