Putting is one of the most important parts of golf. Learning to putt well can make a huge difference in our scores.
By understanding the key skills and techniques for better putting, we can gain more control over our game. That means less frustration on the green and, honestly, more fun.
Many golfers struggle because they overlook the basics. Sometimes, we skip steps that would really help us improve.
In this guide, we’ll break down the essentials of putting—from grip and stance to reading greens and practicing with drills that actually work. We’ll also share tips from expert coaches and tour players, so we can boost our confidence with advice that’s proven to help.
Key Takeaways
- Learn the basics and build a strong foundation for putting.
- Find out how routines and practice drills can improve our putting.
- Get expert advice for practical, on-course improvement.
Mastering the Fundamentals of Putting
Improving our putting means focusing on the basics. That includes how we move the putter, how we stand and aim, and how we hold the club.
Attention to these areas helps us roll the ball more smoothly. More putts drop when we get the basics right.
Essential Putting Stroke Techniques
A steady, controlled putting stroke is key to getting better on the greens. We want our stroke to be smooth, with a gentle rocking motion of our shoulders—not our wrists.
The putter head should swing straight back and through, following the target line as closely as possible.
Important techniques to remember:
- Keep our eyes directly over the ball.
- Maintain a quiet lower body.
- Use the same tempo on both the backswing and follow-through.
Practicing with simple drills, like putting to a coin or using a ruler to keep the putter face square, helps us build muscle memory. A controlled stroke leads to better distance and direction.
Building a Consistent Set Up
A repeatable set up gets us started right every time. Our feet should be about shoulder-width apart, with our weight balanced evenly.
Position the ball slightly forward in our stance, usually under our lead eye. This helps us strike the ball cleanly.
Checklist for a solid putting set up:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Feet Position | Shoulder-width apart |
| Ball Position | Slightly forward in stance |
| Eye Position | Directly over or just inside the ball |
| Hands & Arms | Relaxed and hanging naturally |
Pick out a target line before stepping up. Once our feet and eyes are set, stick to the routine.
A consistent set up builds confidence and trust in our putting.
Selecting the Right Putter Grip
Picking the right putting grip can really change our control and comfort. There are a few common grips to try: the traditional (reverse overlap) grip, the cross-handed grip, and the claw grip.
Each grip changes how our hands work together and how much the putter face moves during the stroke.
Quick comparison of popular putting grips:
| Grip Type | Key Benefit |
|---|---|
| Reverse Overlap | Most common; balance and steadiness |
| Cross-Handed | Reduces wrist movement |
| Claw | Limits hand action, steady face |
The best advice? Try each grip and see what feels most natural. Our grip pressure should be firm but not tense, letting us swing the putter freely.
Developing a Reliable Pre-Putt Routine and Green Reading
Good putting starts before we even hit the ball. Reliable routines and green reading skills give us better aim and help us judge the putting green’s surface.
How to Read Greens Effectively
Reading greens means looking for slopes, textures, and grain that affect how the ball rolls. We should squat or stand behind the ball to spot the high and low points.
It helps to walk around the putt, checking from different angles. Shadows or shiny patches can show grain direction, which makes the ball break more or less.
We can even use our feet to feel subtle slopes. To judge the break, imagine a line from the ball to the hole and visualize the curve.
Checking what other golfers’ putts do can help, but trusting our own view is key.
Pre-Putt Routine Strategies
A steady pre-putt routine helps us relax and stay focused. Each time, follow the same steps to build confidence.
Start by aligning the putter face, then set our feet and body to match. Taking one or two practice strokes lets us feel the speed we want.
It’s helpful to glance at the target line one last time before hitting the ball. That final look builds trust in our aim.
Try not to second-guess. A simple checklist—read the green, choose a line, set up, stroke—makes the routine automatic over time.
Managing Distance Control
Distance control is critical, especially on longer putts. We can practice by hitting putts to targets of different lengths, focusing on sending the ball just past the hole if we miss.
Our putting stroke should be smooth, with the backswing matching the distance needed. Strong or jabby strokes rarely work out.
Using drills like ladder putting or placing coins at varying distances helps improve our touch. We should check our results and adjust based on how far the ball rolls past or stops short of the hole.
Consistent practice lets us judge distances better on different greens.
Advanced Putting Skills and Drills
To master putting, we need to sharpen our skills with focused drills. Handling tricky greens and tracking our progress with real numbers also helps.
A smoother putting stroke and better consistency are the payoff for practicing these advanced techniques.
Tackling Short Putts and Three-Putting
Short putts can make or break a round. To avoid giving away shots, we need a repeatable routine and a steady mindset.
Here are steps to improve short putts:
- Keep your head steady after contact.
- Practice one-handed putts (right hand for right-handers) to build confidence and touch.
- Focus on alignment. Line up the ball’s markings with your target.
Three-putting often comes from rushing or not reading the green carefully. Focus on distance control first, then accuracy.
After every round, count how many times we three-putt and see if there’s a pattern.
Conquering Downhill Putts
Downhill putts require a soft touch and a bit of nerve. The key is to control speed more than anything else.
Try using a lighter grip to promote a smoother stroke. Take a shorter backswing and accelerate smoothly through the ball.
Aim higher—read extra break since gravity will make the ball roll out more.
A good practice drill is to drop balls at different spots above the hole and focus only on the speed, not the result. The goal is to stop the ball near the hole, not to sink it every time.
| Downhill Putting Keys | Why it Helps |
|---|---|
| Light grip pressure | Reduces tension |
| Focus on speed | Prevents overshooting |
| Allow extra break | Ball slows, breaks more |
Practicing with Effective Drills
We get better with focused, simple drills that target every part of our putting.
Recommended Drills:
- Circle Drill: Place tees in a circle three feet around a hole. Sink each one before moving back.
- Gate Drill: Set up two tees just wider than your putterhead on your target line. Roll putts without touching the tees to improve your stroke path.
- Distance Ladder: Place markers at three, six, and nine feet. Putt from each distance and track how many you make in a row.
These drills help us with short putts, lag putts, and a smoother stroke. Regular practice with these methods will build muscle memory and confidence.
Analyzing Your Putting Stats
Tracking our putting stats helps us see what needs work.
Key stats to record:
- Putts per round
- Three-putt holes
- Putts made inside six feet
- First putt distance on each green
By keeping a simple spreadsheet or using a golf app, we spot trends—maybe we miss more to the left, or our distance control is off. Reviewing these stats guides our practice and tells us where to focus for real results.
Insights from Tour Players and Expert Tips
Learning from PGA Tour professionals and top putters like Jordan Spieth can help us build strong putting habits. Using expert advice and choosing the right putter can make a real difference in our game.
Lessons from PGA Tour Professionals
PGA Tour players show us that great putting relies on solid fundamentals. Alignment, setup, and tempo are three key areas they focus on each day.
For alignment, many pros use simple tools or lines on the ball to check that the putter face lines up with their target. Good posture is also essential—keeping our eyes directly over the ball helps us see the line and stroke better.
Practicing with a routine builds confidence. Tour players make practice putts from different distances. They use drills that work on short putts inside six feet and lag putting from farther away.
Maintaining a calm, steady routine leads to fewer mistakes under pressure.
Learning from Jordan Spieth’s Putting
Jordan Spieth is well-known for his putting skills. He stands out for his routine and focus, especially on short putts.
Spieth often uses a “look and react” approach, spending less time over the ball to avoid overthinking. By trusting his read and committing to his stroke, he removes doubt from his mind.
Spieth’s practice sessions focus on visualizing the ball going in the hole and staying positive, regardless of the previous outcome.
We can learn from Spieth by:
- Trusting our read and setup
- Practicing visualization during putting drills
- Keeping a steady tempo and not rushing under pressure
These habits help us putt with confidence and handle nervous moments on the green.
Choosing a Better Putter
The putter’s shape, weight, and feel matter more than many golfers realize. Tour players spend time finding a putter that matches their stroke and comfort.
When choosing a putter, we should:
- Test both mallet and blade styles
- Check the grip for comfort and control
- Choose a putter length that fits our posture
Trying different options on the practice green helps us find what suits our stroke best. Using a putter that feels balanced and easy to align boosts our confidence.
A good-fitting putter, combined with practice, makes it easier to roll the ball on our intended line.
Frequently Asked Questions
We often get asked about the best ways to practice our putting, which techniques work for beginners, and what really makes a solid putting stroke.
What are the essential putting drills for improving my game?
We can improve our putting by practicing drills such as the gate drill, where we putt through two tees set apart a little wider than our putter. The clock drill is useful for short putts, setting balls around the hole like points on a clock.
Distance control drills, like putting to the fringe from various lengths, help us learn to control speed. Practicing regularly with these drills builds confidence and skill.
How do beginners master the fundamentals of putting?
We master putting fundamentals by learning the basic stance, grip, and stroke. Keeping our eyes directly over the ball and our feet shoulder-width apart is important.
We work on hitting the ball in the center of the putter face. It also helps to focus on a smooth, repeatable motion and practice reading the green before every putt.
Which putting technique is considered the easiest for newcomers?
Most folks say the straight-back-and-through technique is the simplest for beginners. It’s all about keeping the motion straightforward and easy to repeat.
This method uses a square setup and a short, controlled stroke. Lining everything up and staying steady makes it a lot less confusing for someone just getting started.
Could you list the top 5 tips to enhance putting skills?
- Read the green before every putt.
- Focus on speed control, not just direction.
- Keep your eyes over the ball.
- Use a consistent pre-putt routine.
- Practice short putts daily.
What does a good putting stroke entail?
A good putting stroke keeps the lower body quiet. Shoulders and arms do most of the work.
The putter moves straight back and straight through, keeping a steady tempo. It should feel smooth and under control, with the ball struck right in the center of the clubface.
How does one define ‘putting’ in golf?
Putting in golf is all about hitting the ball softly along the green, aiming it toward the hole.
You use a putter for this—yeah, that flat-faced club that feels a bit different from the rest.
The whole idea? Get the ball rolling smoothly and try to sink it with as few strokes as you can once you’re on the green.