3 Easy Ways to Better Putting Tempo

Ask any putting expert and they will tell you that a great putting stroke can be characterized by three key factors: setup, ability to read the greens and good tempo.

Most all putting instruction is dedicated to learning the secrets to your setup and ability to read the greens. However, tempo is one of the key ingredients to a successful putting stroke.

What exactly is tempo?

Tempo refers to the total amount of time it takes to move your putter from start to finish in your stroke. As you might imagine, all golfers have a slightly different tempo depending on whether one is more tense leading to a faster tempo or relaxed and laid back, showing a slower tempo.

Technical factors that affect a golfer’s tempo is whether a golfer is leaning too far down or more upright in their posture and whether or not their grip remains stable on the putter or moves up and down affecting the gravity of the swing.

Many pros compare good tempo to the natural swings made by a pendulum in motion. A pendulum shows us an easy, steady and consistent movement both up and back.

By repeating the same style while putting, golfers get the benefit of better distance control and a more predictable and consistent swing.

Here are 3 great ways to develop your tempo for improved putting.

Try turning your putter on its end so the tip is set to strike the ball.

This allows you to better focus on the ball while simultaneously taking a smaller backswing and slower follow through on your putting stroke.

Use a metronome.

Most pros use metronomes in their practice sessions. Metronomes are great for teaching a golfer better rhythm in their swing.

Set the metronome to a beat that matches the tempo of your putting stroke. If you are just starting out, try some different tempos to see what fits best with your style and personality.

There is not one right beat for all. Most golfers find that a certain beat tends to match the natural rhythm of the swing they already have.

Last, set the metronome so you hear the beat at the beginning of your swing and at the finish. Lots of practice will allow you to stay on pace with or without the metronome.

Placing a quarter in the cavity of the putter.

Here is a great tip offered from PGA pro Nick Watney. He suggests placing a quarter in the cavity of your putter and watching to make sure it stays within the club throughout the entire putting stroke.

This drill allows golfers to stay focused on the movement of the club creating a smoother swing and more consistent stroke.

Becoming a great putter takes time and effort and solid practice habits. Once you feel comfortable with your set up, grip and alignment, it is time to start working on your tempo.

Always remember that one tempo is not better than another. One golfer may feel perfectly content with a faster tempo to match his upbeat personality while another feels more comfortable with a slower tempo as a mirror of a laid back personality.

The two secrets of mastering tempo are to establish which one works best for you and then practice the pace of that particular style of putting on a regular basis.