Four Ways to Become a Better Putter

As you know the game of golf can be very satisfying to learn and play. There are many aspects to the game of golf and putting is one that has often been said to be a separate game altogether. Learning how to putt can be quite a challenge. Many people pick it up fast and become good but often they encounter difficulties and get the dreaded yips. Here are some useful tips to help you become a better putter and stay that way.

Most golfers on long putts try to lag the ball close to the hole. They often will aim for a 3 foot circle around the hole. The problem behind this tactic is that you are just increasing your margin for error. A better way is to always putt to make it every time. This means that on every putt your main goal is to make the putt.

This doesn’t mean you need to stoke the ball harder in order for the ball to get it to the hole. Instead think of making every putt by seeing the ball dying into the hole on the last rotation. This way your misses will be much closer to the hole.

When reading greens it can be very easy to read to much break and start doubting how the putt breaks. While approaching a green use that time to observe the putt from a few different angles. After that trust your first instinct and stick with that.

You need to be decisive on each putt. Trust the read you make and trust you will sink the putt. This does not mean you will make every putt. Your goal is to give each putt the best chance of going in the hole. This mindset will allow you to do just that. Remember that even the best professionals misread greens so if you do misread a few putts just forget about them and trust your next read will be accurate.

If you play golf a lot you will inevitably miss a lot of putts. It’s very easy to dwell on these misses. However there is no doubt that you have made a fair share of putts also and a few of them have probably been spectacular. Celebrate all the great putts you have made. This will ingrain into your mind the good putts you have made and will help to build your confidence on the greens.

Be sure to remind yourself of a few of the greatest putts you have ever made. One good thing to perform daily before you go to bed is visualize the best 3 putts you have ever made. Replay them in your mind as vividly as you can and really experience the joy and satisfaction that sinking those putts. Never suppress your emotions on successful putts and celebrate them in your mind. Remember to focus on your successful putts

While putting it is easy to start thinking about different things. Be sure that when you are about to hit your putts that you are dialed in on your target. So make sure to pick out a target like a blade of grass on the edge of the hole or where you expect the putt to break. Be sure your target is something small.

Do not think about putting fundamentals, your putt from the last hole, or outcome of your current putt prior to hitting the putt. Just focus on the target and let your mind tell your body to strike the putt. You will be amazed how well your mind reacts and your body responds.

Making more putts comes down to hitting putts with the right speed and line. When reading greens get a feel for the speed of the putt so it rolls to or a small distance past the golf hole. Visualize the line the ball will travel and this is a product of your observations of the green’s terrain. Clear your mind and trust the speed and line are correct and perform the stroke. If the results are good store them in you memory banks or if they are bad forget about it.

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Comments

  1. December 11th, 2007 | 11:26 am

    Another important thing would be to never take the putter past the right foot…

  2. admin
    December 11th, 2007 | 11:35 am

    That would depend on the length of the putt. On short putts yes I would agree. But on long uphill putts you may need to create more speed and a longer back swing may be needed.

  3. December 23rd, 2007 | 10:04 pm

    I use one of those tall putters. Are they a good idea to use or would you recommend one of the shorter ones.

  4. admin
    December 25th, 2007 | 12:38 pm

    A putter that best suits you is one that matches your preferred putting style. If you like the straight back and straight through method a taller putter is ideal because the plane of the putter shaft is more vertical and its natural pendulum motion closely matches that style of putting. Once you have matched your putting style with putter design I believe you need to find a putter that appeals to you aesthetically. Having a putter that looks and feels good, like clothes or a car, will give you confidence. And having confidence while putting will definitely improve your putting.

  5. January 8th, 2008 | 4:00 pm

    The tip that has helped my putting the most is to bring the putter back one inch for every foot from the hole. This helps me to consistently hit the ball close to the hole.

  6. April 10th, 2008 | 4:08 am

    golf is fun but I would like to get better.your site is fantastic thanks I’ll be checking you out

    Waylon

  7. tommy
    April 15th, 2008 | 10:14 am

    Its obvious that you do not need to learn How to jump higher overnight or gain 100 pounds of muscle to improve your putting. Yet so many people try to get stronger for golf that it amazes me…..

  8. April 18th, 2008 | 3:40 pm

    tommy if you do not think strength training does not play an important role in golf then read this Golfers need strength training

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