5 Putting Books You Really Need to Read

Here are five favorite books focused on putting, written by renowned golf instructors and professionals, with a summary of each book and how it can benefit your putting game.

1. “Dave Pelz’s Putting Bible: The Complete Guide to Mastering the Green” by Dave Pelz

Summary:
Dave Pelz, a legendary short game and putting coach, offers a comprehensive guide to putting in his book The Putting Bible.

Pelz dissects the mechanics of putting and introduces readers to data-driven insights about what makes a successful putter. He delves into the importance of grip, stance, alignment, and the putting stroke itself, using years of research to support his recommendations.

What You Might Learn:
Pelz’s book introduces the Pelz Grip, which focuses on reducing wrist action and creating a more pendulum-like stroke. The grip aims to remove unnecessary movement, allowing for greater consistency.

This book also helps you understand the nuances of green reading, speed control, and the mental game of putting.

How It Can Help Your Game:
Pelz’s research-backed approach provides you with the tools to assess your putting mechanics and identify areas for improvement.

His breakdown of grip techniques and stroke mechanics is especially valuable for golfers struggling with inconsistent putting. By adopting the Pelz Grip and his methods, you’ll likely see improved control, fewer missed short putts, and a more confident stroke on the greens.

2. “Unconscious Putting: Dave Stockton’s Guide to Unlocking Your Signature Stroke” by Dave Stockton

Summary:
Dave Stockton, a renowned PGA Tour player and putting coach, presents his philosophy of simplifying putting in Unconscious Putting. Stockton emphasizes the mental side of putting, teaching golfers how to quiet their minds and trust their natural stroke.

What You Might Learn:
Stockton introduces his unique Pencil Grip, where the putter is held more in the fingers than the palms.

This grip allows for better feel and control of the clubface, which is crucial for maintaining a square impact.

His focus on visualization and routine also encourages golfers to develop a mental approach to putting that minimizes overthinking.

How It Can Help Your Game:
If you struggle with nerves or over-analyze your putts, Stockton’s advice can help you putt with more freedom. The Pencil Grip may improve your touch, particularly on long putts, by giving you a lighter, more sensitive grip on the putter.

By following Stockton’s mental strategies, you’ll develop a more relaxed, confident stroke under pressure.

3. “The Art of Putting: The Revolutionary Feel-Based System for Improving Your Score” by Stan Utley

Summary:
Stan Utley, known for his expertise in the short game, teaches a feel-based approach to putting in The Art of Putting. Unlike many technical guides, Utley emphasizes the importance of feel, rhythm, and touch rather than rigid mechanics.

What You Might Learn:
Utley advocates for a Conventional Grip but with softer hands and a more natural flow to the stroke. His method encourages golfers to focus on the natural arc of the putting stroke, rather than trying to force a straight-back, straight-through motion. He also provides drills to develop a more intuitive sense of distance and touch.

How It Can Help Your Game:
For golfers who feel too mechanical or stiff while putting, Utley’s feel-based system offers a refreshing perspective.

His grip philosophy, paired with a natural stroke, helps golfers become more in tune with their instincts, improving their ability to judge distance and control pace.

This can be particularly useful for mid-to-high handicappers who struggle with feel on the greens.

4. “Golf is Not a Game of Perfect” by Dr. Bob Rotella

Summary:
Dr. Bob Rotella’s classic Golf is Not a Game of Perfect takes a mental approach to improving your overall game, with a special emphasis on putting.

While the book is not solely focused on putting, Rotella’s insights into the psychology of golf are invaluable for improving performance on the greens.

What You Might Learn:
Rotella doesn’t prescribe a specific grip, but he emphasizes the importance of mental clarity and confidence. He suggests that golfers find a grip they’re comfortable with and stick to it, trusting their stroke instead of constantly tinkering.

The real key, according to Rotella, is mental preparation and visualization, not just technique.

How It Can Help Your Game:
If you often feel frustrated or anxious while putting, Rotella’s book can transform your mental approach. His advice encourages golfers to adopt a more relaxed and confident mindset, which can lead to fewer missed putts under pressure.

Rotella’s tips on visualization and positive thinking are perfect for golfers looking to boost their performance in clutch situations.

5. “The Putting Prescription: The Doctor’s Proven Method for a Better Stroke” by Dr. Craig L. Farnsworth

Summary:
The Putting Prescription by Dr. Craig L. Farnsworth is a guide to mastering the putting stroke from a visual and biomechanical perspective.

Farnsworth, an optometrist and vision expert, takes a scientific approach to putting, focusing on eye alignment, body posture, and visual perception.

What You Might Learn:
Dr. Farnsworth suggests various grips depending on the golfer’s needs, but his key focus is on ensuring your eyes and body are correctly aligned with the target.

One of the grips he recommends is the Reverse Overlap, which helps stabilize the hands and reduces wrist movement. The book also delves into visual drills to help golfers improve their alignment and accuracy.

How It Can Help Your Game:
If alignment and misreads are your main issues on the green, Farnsworth’s approach offers detailed guidance to help correct these problems.

His focus on the visual aspects of putting can sharpen your accuracy, ensuring that you’re lined up properly on every putt.

The Reverse Overlap grip is particularly useful for golfers who tend to use too much wrist action, leading to a more consistent stroke.

Conclusion

These five books on putting grips and techniques offer a wide range of insights for golfers of all levels. From the technical, research-backed advice of Dave Pelz to the mental strategies of Dr. Bob Rotella, each book provides a different perspective on putting that can help you shave strokes off your game.

• Dave Pelz’s Putting Bible provides a data-driven approach to mastering the putting stroke and grip.
• Dave Stockton’s Unconscious Putting simplifies the mental aspect of putting, offering freedom and flow through his Pencil Grip.
• Stan Utley’s The Art of Putting focuses on feel and natural motion, perfect for golfers seeking to improve their touch.
• Dr. Bob Rotella’s Golf is Not a Game of Perfect helps you master the mental game of putting, boosting your confidence and clarity.
• Dr. Craig Farnsworth’s The Putting Prescription sharpens your visual alignment and offers biomechanical tips for a more accurate stroke.

By experimenting with the various grips and philosophies discussed in these books, you can find the method that works best for your game. Each author offers unique strategies to help you putt with greater confidence and consistency, ultimately leading to lower scores and a more enjoyable time on the greens.