Putting is widely regarded as the pinnacle of golf, where finesse, precision, and touch reign supreme. Whether you’re a high-handicap golfer striving for improvement or an aspiring pro honing your skills, excelling at putting can be a game-changer. In this comprehensive guide, we will equip you with all the essential knowledge about how to putt.
From mastering the fundamentals to delving into advanced techniques, you’ll discover the secrets to sinking more putts and achieving lower scores on the course.
How to Putt: Building the Foundation for Exceptional Putting
Before we get into the details of how to putt well, let’s talk about the basic rules that make for a good putting game:
1. The Putting Grip:
- The Claw Grip: Professional players are using this grip more and more because it is different. It includes putting the lead hand (usually the left) lower on the handle while the trail hand (usually the right) takes a more traditional grip.
- The Reverse Overlap Grip: A classic grip favored by many golfers for its simplicity and effectiveness in putting.
2. Alignment:
- Precise alignment is crucial for successful putting. Your feet, hips, and shoulders should be parallel to the target line.
- Utilize putters with alignment aids or markings to assist in aligning the putter face correctly.
3. Putter Face at Impact:
- Achieving a square putter face at impact is essential. Focus on keeping the putter face square to your intended target line throughout the entire putting stroke.
4. The Putting Stroke:
- A move that looks like a pendulum is often thought to be the best way to putt. It requires little hand movement and a steady, smooth beat.
- Keep the stroke consistent, regardless of the length of the putt.
5. Reading the Green:
- Spend time on the practice green to develop your ability to read the break and speed of the greens.
- Pay attention to visual cues, such as the grain of the grass and the natural contours of the putting surface.
Developing Your Putting Game
Now that we’ve gone over the basics, let’s talk more about the techniques and plans that will help you become a good putter:
1. Dedicated Practice:
- Allocate a significant portion of your practice time to putting. To get good at putting, you need to practice often, and the more time you put in, the better you will get.
2. Master Short Putts:
- Concentrate on short putts, particularly those inside six feet. People often call these “gimmes,” but sometimes even the pros miss them. Establish a consistent routine and rhythm for these critical putts.
3. Find Your Ideal Grip:
- Experiment with different putting grips to determine which one suits you best. Choose the grip that feels best and helps your game the most, whether it’s the claw grip, the reverse overlap, or something else.
4. The Straight Line Drill:
- Employ alignment sticks or clubs on the putting green to create a straight line leading to the hole. This drill enhances your aim and accuracy, making it easier to start putts on the desired line.
5. Maintain Focus:
- Keep your mind active while you putt. Eliminate distractions and visualize the ball’s path into the hole.
- Trust your aim and focus on execution rather than the outcome.
6. Consistency is Key:
- Develop a consistent pre-putt routine. This practice should help you relax and think the same way about every putt, no matter how close or far it is.
7. Stroke Analysis:
- Record your putting strokes on video and review them. Look for any changes from the stroke you want and make the required changes.
- By analyzing your move, you can find any problems and fix them.
8. Seek Professional Guidance:
- Consider taking lessons from a golf pro or coach who specializes in putting. They can give you personalized advice, point out where you need to improve your putting, and give you lessons that are made for you.
Advanced Putting Techniques
As you progress in your golfing journey, you may explore more advanced putting techniques to further refine your skills:
1. Green Reading Mastery:
- Study the nuances of green reading, including factors like grain, slope, and undulations. If you are good at green reading, you can figure out how the ball will break and how fast you should hit it.
2. Lag Putting:
- Develop the ability to lag long putts close to the hole. This reduces the risk of three-putting and ensures that you have a manageable second putt.
- Focus on distance control and achieving a tap-in for your second putt.
3. Putting Psychology:
- Master the psychological aspect of putting. For clutch putts and keeping a steady stroke when the heat is on, you need confidence and mental toughness.
4. Putting Drills:
- Engage in a variety of putting drills to hone different aspects of your putting game. Drills can focus on alignment, controlling distance, or even simulating pressure events that might happen on the course.
Conclusion
Becoming a proficient putter is an ongoing journey in golf, one that every player embarks upon. Whether your goal is to become a great putter like the pros or just to lower your score, the tips and techniques in this guide will help you become a more confident and successful putter.
Remember that practice, patience, and a focused mindset are the keys to unlocking your potential on the greens. If you regularly use the tips and drills in this article, you’ll be able to sink more putts and have more success on the golf course. Putt with purpose, and watch your scores improve as you master the art of putting in golf.