These 7 Putting Basics Will Shave Big Strokes off the Greens

Putting Basics You Should Know

Putting is one of the most critical aspects of golf, often making the difference between a great round and a frustrating one. Despite its importance, many golfers overlook putting, focusing instead on driving or iron play. 

However, a strong putting game can help you save strokes, even if your long game isn’t perfect.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to the basics of putting, along with insights and tips to help you improve your performance on the greens.

1. The Putting Grip

Your grip plays a vital role in controlling the putter and ensuring a smooth stroke. Unlike a full-swing grip, the putting grip is designed to reduce wrist action, promote consistency, and give you better feel and control.

• Traditional Overlap Grip: This is the most common grip. Your left hand (for right-handed golfers) controls the putter while the right hand lightly rests on the grip. Your hands should work together in a unified motion, and there shouldn’t be excessive wrist action. This grip gives you stability and control.
• Cross-Handed Grip: This grip, where the left hand is placed below the right, reduces wrist breakdown and helps keep the putter face square through impact. PGA Tour pros like Jordan Spieth use this technique for added control on short putts.
• Claw Grip: Popularized by players like Sergio Garcia, the claw grip reduces tension in the right hand and eliminates unwanted wrist movement, allowing for a more pendulum-like stroke.

Tip:

Experiment with different grips to see which one feels most comfortable and provides you with the best control over the putter.

2. Stance and Posture

Good putting posture helps you line up correctly and create a natural, consistent stroke.

• Feet Position: Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart, giving you a stable base. Your weight should be evenly distributed, with a slight lean toward the balls of your feet.
• Ball Position: The ball should be positioned slightly forward in your stance—just under your left eye (for right-handed players). This helps ensure the putter strikes the ball on the upward arc of the stroke, promoting a smoother roll.
• Eye Position: Keep your eyes directly over the ball. This alignment helps you see the line of the putt better and encourages a straight stroke.

Tip:

An easy way to check your eye position is to drop a ball from your eyes while in your putting stance. It should fall directly onto the ball you’re putting.

3. Alignment and Aiming

Alignment is one of the trickiest parts of putting. If you’re not aiming correctly, even a perfect stroke won’t get the ball in the hole.

• Putter Face Alignment: The putter face should always be square to your intended line. One common error golfers make is aiming left or right of their target, so it’s important to develop a consistent pre-putt routine to ensure proper alignment.
• Body Alignment: Your shoulders, hips, and feet should be aligned parallel to the target line. If your body is open or closed, it can affect the path of your stroke.

Tip:

Use an alignment aid on your putter or the ball to help ensure you’re lined up properly. Many players also benefit from using training aids like a putting mirror to check their alignment.

4. Reading the Greens

Reading greens involves determining the slope, grain, and speed of the surface, which can significantly affect how the ball rolls.

• Slope: Always check if the green slopes up, down, or to the side. A basic rule of thumb is to “read” the green by walking around the putt. Standing behind the ball and on the low side of the putt will give you the best view of the break.
• Grain: The direction in which the grass grows, or the “grain” of the green, can influence how the ball rolls. A ball rolling with the grain will be faster, while against the grain will be slower. You can determine the grain by looking at the color of the grass (shiny means with the grain, and darker means against it).
• Speed: The speed of the greens is crucial. Faster greens require a softer touch, while slower greens require more force. Practice to develop the right touch and feel for different green speeds.

Tip:

Many pros, including Tiger Woods, recommend focusing on speed first, then line. This helps you avoid three-putting, even if your read on the break isn’t perfect.

5. The Putting Stroke

A good putting stroke is smooth, controlled, and consistent. Unlike a full swing, putting should be driven by the shoulders, not the wrists or hands.

• Pendulum Motion: Your stroke should resemble a pendulum motion, driven by the rocking of your shoulders. The wrists should remain stable throughout the stroke to prevent inconsistent contact or clubface rotation.
• Backstroke and Follow-Through: Ideally, the backstroke and follow-through should be about the same length. Keeping the putter low to the ground through the stroke promotes a smooth roll.

Tip:

A common drill to improve your stroke is the “gate drill.” Set up two tees just outside the path of your putter and practice making strokes without hitting the tees. This helps promote a straight-back and straight-through stroke.

6. Mental Approach to Putting

Putting is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Developing confidence and consistency on the greens is critical to success.

• Stay Positive: Even the best players miss putts. A negative mindset can cause tension and inconsistency. Stay confident, visualize success, and approach each putt with a positive attitude.
• Routine: A consistent pre-putt routine helps you stay calm and focused. Whether it’s taking a few practice strokes or visualizing the line, having a routine allows you to clear your mind and concentrate on execution.

Tip:

Visualization is a powerful tool. Before you putt, picture the ball rolling along the line you’ve chosen and dropping into the hole. This can boost your confidence and make the putt feel more achievable.

7. Practice Drills for Improvement

To improve your putting, you need deliberate, consistent practice. Here are a few drills to incorporate into your routine:

• Gate Drill: As mentioned earlier, this drill promotes a smooth, straight stroke. Place two tees just outside the width of your putter and practice making strokes without hitting them.
• Clock Drill: Place several balls around the hole, each about 3 feet away. Putt from each position, focusing on making every putt. This helps build confidence with short putts.
• Lag Putting Drill: Place a ball 30-50 feet from the hole and practice lagging it within a 3-foot circle around the hole. The goal is to avoid three-putting by consistently getting the ball close on long putts.

Research Insight:

According to PGA statistics, amateurs three-putt about 16% of the time, while professionals only three-putt 3% of the time. Improving your lag putting can significantly lower your scores by reducing three-putts.

8. Technology and Tools for Better Putting

In recent years, putting technology has advanced, giving golfers new tools to improve their putting.

• Putter Fitting: Custom putter fitting is now widely available and can make a significant difference. A fitting can ensure your putter length, loft, and lie are suited to your body and stroke, improving your overall performance on the greens.
• Green Reading Aids: Tools like AimPoint Express, used by professionals like Adam Scott, help golfers read greens more effectively by using a system of feeling slopes with their feet and assigning them a numerical value to estimate break.

Tip:

If you struggle with reading greens, consider learning AimPoint Express. This method helps simplify green reading, offering more consistent results.

Summary

Improving your putting is one of the most effective ways to lower your scores, and it’s within reach for golfers of all skill levels. By focusing on the fundamentals—grip, alignment, stroke, and green reading—and incorporating a consistent practice routine, you can make substantial gains on the greens.

Keep the mental aspect in mind, stay positive, and practice with purpose. With time and dedication, you’ll start seeing the results in your scorecard.

By following these insights and tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a better putter and a more confident golfer. Remember, putting isn’t just about getting the ball in the hole—it’s about doing it with consistency and control.