The putting stroke is a very important part of the golf game. It can either make or break your round.
If you want to putt well, you need to learn how to do it. Putting isn’t easy, but with a little practice, you can become a better putter.
The Stroke
The stroke of the putter is a fundamental part of the game, and it is important to be able to control it. It can help you to make a solid contact with the ball, which can increase your consistency on the greens and your chances of carding more birdies.
One of the most common ways to improve a putting stroke is through a series of drills. The goal is to be able to feel the correct timing and pace of the back and through of the stroke. This is much like a musician feeling the beat of a song when they practice.
A good way to learn the proper tempo of your putting stroke is by playing a variety of different length putts. This will help you find the tempo that works best for you, and it will also help you to develop a rhythm that you can use for the rest of your golf game.
Another common approach to improving the stroke of your putter is through a technique called the “Arc Stroke.” This is when you take the putter back slightly inside on the way through, opening the face and creating an arc path. This stroke has gained popularity recently because it is easier and more consistent than a straight putting stroke.
When you are practicing the arc stroke, the most important thing is to work on keeping the face square to the arc path. This is not easy to do, but it will make all the difference in your putting.
The Line
Putting is one of the most important aspects of the game, and a good putter must be able to consistently read greens. There are several ways to do this, but a common sight you’ll see on the PGA Tour and European Tour is players marking their ball with a line to help them aim.
Using a line is not an ideal alignment technique, however. The line of the putter is a visual distraction that takes away the player’s focus on the stroke and connection to the target. In addition, it may lead to an errant line on the face or the putter head that is not aligned with the target.
The best way to use the line is to practice lining up the putter face with a small target near the hole. The goal is to see a straight line from the face that points towards the hole. The more you practice this, the better you’ll be at it.
Another great alignment technique is to use the putter’s flange line to guide your stroke. This can be particularly helpful for the right-hander who tends to use a cut stroke with a low trajectory.
Most professional and collegiate golfers use the line on short putts that do not have a lot of break. This can be a useful technique on putts that are less than 15–20 feet in length, because it allows the putter to hit a solid path and not be too skewed.
The Target
The target is a critical part of any putting stroke. It is the object that the player aims at when they swing their putter, and it gives them confidence to know that they are aiming correctly and that the ball will roll where they want it to go.
The first thing a golfer needs to do when they are preparing for a putt is to select a precise target, whether it be the hole or something else like a tree or a flag stick. If you don’t have a specific target in mind, chances are you will be missing putts and making them longer than they should be.
Another crucial element is the placement of the putter. Many players have been taught to position the putter face slightly outside the ball so that the club can drop a ball directly from their eyes and land it in the hole. However, this isn’t the most effective approach.
It is far more effective to align your dominant eye behind the ball, so that it is on a vertical plane with your aim line. This will deliver the line of sight to your intended target in a straight line and help you putt more accurately.
One of the biggest putting debates involves where the eyes should be placed when lining up a putt. Some coaches and players believe that your eyes should be over the ball, while others argue that they should be a little inside it. This method can be successful if it is done correctly, and it is up to the individual to decide which setup works best for them at the address.
The Distance
The distance of your putt is a very important aspect of your putting skill. It’s what determines the speed at which you can make your putt, and is one of the most important things to get right if you want to improve your putting.
You should know how far you are from the hole before you take your first putt. This is called the “target distance” and is usually around 10 feet or less. If you don’t have this in mind, it’s easy to hit a very long putt and miss the hole by a good distance.
If you’re unsure of how far you are from the hole, there are a couple of ways to figure out your distance. The first way is to use a tape measure and go out to a flat putting green. If you can’t get this done, try eyeballing the distance.
Another way to figure out your distance is to practice with a friend or coach. They can measure your backstroke length and then help you determine the distance of the putt.
This can be a great way to develop your putting speed and control. You can start with shorter putts and work your way up to longer ones.
It’s also a good idea to learn how to pace your putt off the green. This can be a very effective way to control your distance, but it’s important to know when to pace off and when not to.
Once you’ve mastered this, it’s time to put your skills to the test on the golf course. There’s no time like the present to work on your putting and to become more accurate on the greens.