Best Putting Strokes on Tour: What the Pros Do Right

Best Putting Strokes on Tour: What the Pros Do Right

Putting may not make the highlight reels like 350-yard drives, but on the PGA Tour, it’s often the difference between winning and finishing T10. The best putting strokes on tour aren’t just mechanically sound—they’re repeatable under pressure, tailored to the player’s natural tendencies, and honed through thousands of reps.

In this article, we’ll break down what makes a world-class putting stroke, examine the top putters on tour, compare their techniques, and show you what you can borrow from them to improve your own game.

What Makes a Great Putting Stroke?

There’s no universal stroke style that guarantees success, but elite putters tend to share several core traits:

• Repeatability: The motion holds up on Sunday at Augusta as well as on a Wednesday practice green.

• Tempo: Smooth, even-paced transitions help with both feel and accuracy.

• Face Control: The ability to keep the putter face square at impact is vital to making putts.

• Speed Control: Delivering putts with the correct pace, regardless of green speed.

• Path Consistency: Whether straight-back-straight-through or arced, the best strokes repeat the same path every time.

• Setup & Eye Position: Most top putters set up with eyes directly over the ball for consistent alignment and green reading.

Tour Pros with the Best Putting Strokes (And Why They Work)

Let’s explore the strokes of some of the best putters on the PGA Tour and what sets them apart.

1. Brian Harman – The Short Game Surgeon

• Stroke Style: Slight Arc

• Grip: Left-hand low (cross-handed)

• Strengths: Face control, mid-range consistency

• Notable Stat: #1 in SG: Putting during his 2023 Open Championship win

Why It Works:
Harman’s compact stroke and methodical tempo make him one of the most clutch putters on tour. His cross-handed grip minimizes wrist breakdown and improves face stability.

What You Can Learn:

• Try left-hand-low to quiet your wrists.

• Practice short-to-mid-range putts with a metronome to develop rhythm.

2. Denny McCarthy – The Tour’s Putting Machine

• Stroke Style: Arc

• Grip: Conventional

• Strengths: Pace and rhythm from all ranges

• Notable Stat: Top 5 in SG: Putting multiple seasons

Why It Works:
McCarthy’s stroke is simple and repeatable, with a smooth tempo and quiet lower body. His ability to match speed to break is elite.

What You Can Learn:

• Focus on rhythm and a quiet setup.

• Try putting with your eyes closed after setup to develop feel.

3. Jordan Spieth – Creative and Clutch

• Stroke Style: Strong Arc

• Grip: Left-hand low

• Strengths: Long-range putting, confident execution

• Notable Stat: Led the tour in one-putt percentage in peak years

Why It Works:
Spieth’s stroke has more wrist hinge and feel than most. He pairs creativity in green reading with fearless execution.

What You Can Learn:

• Feel matters. Trust your instincts.

• A little wrist hinge is fine if it matches your natural stroke.

4. Rory McIlroy – Pure Roll and Confidence

• Stroke Style: Slight Arc

• Grip: Conventional

• Strengths: Setup, shoulder-driven motion

• Notable Stat: Significant improvement in putting stats since switching to Spider mallet

Why It Works:
McIlroy’s stroke benefits from a steady head, square shoulders, and clean alignment. His mallet putter helps stabilize the face throughout.

What You Can Learn:

• Use alignment mirrors to replicate his setup.

• Focus on shoulder-driven strokes to improve roll and distance control.

5. Scottie Scheffler – Building Consistency

• Stroke Style: Slight Arc

• Grip: Conventional

• Strengths: Pre-shot routine, steady improvements

• Notable Stat: Improved consistency after switching to Spider Tour X

Why It Works:
While not historically dominant with the flatstick, Scheffler has built a solid foundation by focusing on fundamentals and routines. His disciplined approach is key to handling pressure.

What You Can Learn:

• Establish a consistent routine to build trust.

• Don’t fear equipment changes—just ensure they match your stroke style.

6. Matt Fitzpatrick – The Analyst

• Stroke Style: Slight Arc

• Grip: Conventional

• Strengths: Stat tracking, green reading

• Notable Stat: Top 15 in SG: Putting

Why It Works:
Fitzpatrick is known for his data-driven approach. His tight stroke and AimPoint method for reading greens make him incredibly efficient inside 10 feet.

What You Can Learn:

• Track your stats to identify where you’re losing strokes.

• Adopt AimPoint or another consistent green reading system.

7. Patrick Cantlay – Robotic Precision

• Stroke Style: Slight Arc

• Grip: Conventional

• Strengths: Short putt dominance

• Notable Stat: High make percentage inside 5 feet

Why It Works:
Cantlay’s motion is quiet, with minimal wrist action. His low hand position and locked-in posture reduce variables, making him a machine from short range.

What You Can Learn:

• Keep hands quiet and shoulders active.

• Focus on posture and low wrist tension.

8. Xander Schauffele – Calm Under Pressure

• Stroke Style: Arc

• Grip: Left-hand low

• Strengths: Inside 10 feet accuracy

• Notable Stat: One of the most consistent short-range putters on fast greens

Why It Works:
Xander’s stroke holds up under pressure. His left-hand-low grip and soft tempo help him avoid over-accelerating or pulling putts.

What You Can Learn:

• Master short putts first—confidence builds outward.

• Use video to check tempo consistency.

9. Cameron Smith – Rhythm Master

• Stroke Style: Strong Arc

• Grip: Conventional

• Strengths: Lag putting, touch

• Notable Stat: Top 3 in putting average during major wins

Why It Works:
Smith’s stroke is natural, flowing, and artistic. His speed control is exceptional, and he trusts his feel more than mechanics.

What You Can Learn:

• Don’t overthink mechanics—practice feel drills.

• Focus on rhythm and commit to the line.

Honorable Mention: Brad Faxon – Smooth as Silk

Though retired, Faxon is still a gold standard in putting circles. His fluid stroke and relaxed grip are textbook examples of what great tempo and touch look like.

Putting Stroke Comparison Chart

Stroke Styles on Tour: Arc vs Straight

While every pro’s stroke is unique, they generally fall into three categories:

1. Straight Back, Straight Through

   • Minimal arc

   • Common with face-balanced mallet putters

   • Example: Webb Simpson

2. Slight Arc Stroke

   • Natural arc, mild face rotation

   • Balanced between power and feel

   • Example: Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay

3. Strong Arc Stroke

   • Significant rotation, suited to blades

   • Requires excellent timing and feel

   • Example: Cameron Smith, Jordan Spieth

Pro Tip: Choose a putter that matches your stroke type — face-balanced for straight strokes, toe-hang for arcing strokes.

Traits Shared by Tour’s Best Putters

What Amateurs Can Learn

• Grip Matters: Find one that stabilizes your hands and gives you face control.

• Tempo Is King: Use drills, metronomes, or mental counts to find your rhythm.

• Master Speed Control: Separate drills for start line and distance control improve both.

• Fit Your Putter to Your Stroke: Toe-hang for arc, face-balanced for straight strokes.

• Routine Builds Confidence: Pre-shot routines eliminate doubt under pressure.

FAQs About Putting on Tour

Q: Is there one “best” putting stroke?
A: No. The best stroke is the one you can repeat with confidence under pressure.

Q: Why do some pros switch putters often?
A: Even great strokes need mental resets. New putters can reignite confidence.

Q: Are mallets more popular now?
A: Yes. Mallets like the TaylorMade Spider and Scotty Cameron Phantom X offer more forgiveness and alignment help.

Final Thoughts

The best putting strokes on tour are all different—but they share rhythm, trust, and purpose. Whether it’s Brian Harman’s machine-like consistency or Cameron Smith’s feel-based artistry, the lesson for amateurs is clear: build a stroke that suits you, refine it with purpose, and trust it under pressure.

Start small. Focus on tempo, path, and confidence. And with enough reps, your putting stroke can become your biggest weapon—just like the pros.

Related Articles:

• Best Mallet Putters for Better Alignment

• Tour Pros Who Switched to Forgiving Putters

• Putting Drills Used by PGA Tour Coaches