Top 10 Putting Tips
Tip No. 1
Putting is around half of your golfing score, but how often do you practice your stroke, or alignment, change your grip, or even have a putting lesson? Yes, that’s right - a lesson! Never thought of it? In that case, "Take a lesson" is probably the best tip I could give you, so follow this step by step, complete breakdown on how to.
Putting is around half of your golfing score, but how often do you practice your stroke, or alignment, change your grip, or even have a putting lesson? Yes, that’s right - a lesson! Never thought of it? In that case, "Take a lesson" is probably the best tip I could give you, so follow this step by step, complete breakdown on how to.
Tip No. 2
One of the most important factors in golf is the ball position. Don’t forget it is the back of the ball that you are stroking with the putter, and not the centre. I always teach that the back of the ball is in the middle of your stance, or slightly forward of this, if you are using a square-to-square stroke.
One of the most important factors in golf is the ball position. Don’t forget it is the back of the ball that you are stroking with the putter, and not the centre. I always teach that the back of the ball is in the middle of your stance, or slightly forward of this, if you are using a square-to-square stroke.
Tip No. 3
Gripping the putter can be done in so many ways, but it is important not to have a dominant hand, as you are looking for a relaxed combination of shoulders, arm and hands for a smooth stroke.
Gripping the putter can be done in so many ways, but it is important not to have a dominant hand, as you are looking for a relaxed combination of shoulders, arm and hands for a smooth stroke.
Tip No. 4
To grip your putter at the right length:
- Address a golf ball in your normal putting position;
- Now have a friend plumb bob the line from your eyes to the ball;
- With a relaxed grip move yourself backward or forward until you have a perfect vertical position from eye line to ball;
- Re-grip, whenever your hands are holding the putter grip;
- Mark the position and use it in future putts. Your eyes will now consistently be over the ball.
To grip your putter at the right length:
- Address a golf ball in your normal putting position;
- Now have a friend plumb bob the line from your eyes to the ball;
- With a relaxed grip move yourself backward or forward until you have a perfect vertical position from eye line to ball;
- Re-grip, whenever your hands are holding the putter grip;
- Mark the position and use it in future putts. Your eyes will now consistently be over the ball.
Tip No. 5
Your feet should feel comfortably apart, never too narrow, and your weight should be biased towards your toes - not as most people tend to address the ball with the weight on their heels.
Your feet should feel comfortably apart, never too narrow, and your weight should be biased towards your toes - not as most people tend to address the ball with the weight on their heels.
Tip No. 6
The easiest way to stop your lower body moving during your putting stroke is to make yourself knock-kneed. This will automatically put your weight onto the inside of the sole of your shoes. Now, if you make a stroke you will see that the lower body, legs and knees stay still. Try putting a toilet roll between your knees and practice your stroke. Positive stroke isn’t it? And no lower movement!
The easiest way to stop your lower body moving during your putting stroke is to make yourself knock-kneed. This will automatically put your weight onto the inside of the sole of your shoes. Now, if you make a stroke you will see that the lower body, legs and knees stay still. Try putting a toilet roll between your knees and practice your stroke. Positive stroke isn’t it? And no lower movement!
Tip No. 7
You never, ever hit at the ball! You stroke through it. Try putting as normal, probably with a half distance back the same distance through. Did the ball jump and move off line? - and when it slowed, did it take the break quickly? If the ball is hit with a sharp hammer type stroke, the first few inches of the ball’s movement will be airborne.
You never, ever hit at the ball! You stroke through it. Try putting as normal, probably with a half distance back the same distance through. Did the ball jump and move off line? - and when it slowed, did it take the break quickly? If the ball is hit with a sharp hammer type stroke, the first few inches of the ball’s movement will be airborne.
Tip No. 8
Try putting with a quarter distance back stroke and a longer three-quarter distance follow through. This will lead to greater acceleration. Now you will find that the ball gets to roll much quicker than before - it stays straighter longer and fights against taking the break (if there is one).
Try putting with a quarter distance back stroke and a longer three-quarter distance follow through. This will lead to greater acceleration. Now you will find that the ball gets to roll much quicker than before - it stays straighter longer and fights against taking the break (if there is one).
Tip No. 9
If you really want to perfect your through stroke, try putting in a normal position, but with your eyes closed. Think you will miss the ball? I very much doubt it, but what you will find is that if you watch the ball roll after the stroke has finished, you will see the ball rolls perfectly straight - why? You stroked through it and not at it, because your eyes were closed you never knew when to hit and only created a putting stroke.
If you really want to perfect your through stroke, try putting in a normal position, but with your eyes closed. Think you will miss the ball? I very much doubt it, but what you will find is that if you watch the ball roll after the stroke has finished, you will see the ball rolls perfectly straight - why? You stroked through it and not at it, because your eyes were closed you never knew when to hit and only created a putting stroke.
Tip No. 10
If you watch your playing partners or pros on TV, see what happens. First the back stroke, then the through the ball stroke and then their finish. Yes - what about the finish? Normally the club head recoils. Try having a practice putting stroke where the finish is held still. This will give you a different feel - more positive - I’m in control!!
If you watch your playing partners or pros on TV, see what happens. First the back stroke, then the through the ball stroke and then their finish. Yes - what about the finish? Normally the club head recoils. Try having a practice putting stroke where the finish is held still. This will give you a different feel - more positive - I’m in control!!
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