The game of golf is one of the most interesting and complex sports available for all ages. Golf putting deserves special attention because it finalizes golfers’ efforts during the game. In this article, we will offer you some good ways to improve your golf putting.
Golf professionals, instructors, and researchers provide plenty of techniques and tips on making your putting better. Among all, we present you with 20 ways to improve your golf putting that will work for golfers of every category.
A precise drive down the fairway can be useless if the golfer cannot complete the hole by sinking a winding 10-foot putt. Specialists rate putting at 43% of the game. They also see in putting the difference between recreational and professional golfers. (1)
How To Improve Your Putting
Some golfers consider putting the most important and challenging element of the game of golf. Some popular styles of putting are “conventional,” “cross-handed,” and “the claw,” which differ in their type of grip. (3)
List 1 below summarizes 20 ways to improve your putting, divided into two categories – technical and mental.
Technical:
- Putting grip
- Reading the green
- Aligning the ball
- Visualizing the putt
- Practicing the stroke
- Practicing on the putting green before the round
- Putting with your core
- Connecting the target
- Aiming the area beyond the hole
- Keeping even balance between your toes and heels
- Concentration on the ball during the stroke
- Distance reading
- Blocking “noise” pollution
- Reading putts like a clock
Mental:
- Keeping it simple
- Enjoy putting
- Trusting yourself
- It is OK to miss
- Patience on the green
- Confidence
List 1 Note (2)
Technical Ways
Putting Grip
The grip for putting is different from grips used for other clubs. Golfers use various styles, but to improve your putting, you should use a “reverse overlap’ grip. It prevents the wrist from breaking during the putt and is the preferred grip among professionals. (2)
Reading The Green
Knowing how to “read the green” is a cornerstone of good putting. If the grass is shiny or dry, the grain is with the putt, and the ball will go faster. Seasoned golfers observe the contours of the green to foresee whether the ball could break to the left or right on its way to the hole. (2)
Aligning The Ball
Many golfers line up the name or logo on your ball with the target line. This way, you can draw a line on the ball. The next step is to align the face of the putter with the name or logo.
Visualizing The Putt
You have to use your imagination to visualize the path of the ball and try to control it. Please select a transitional target between the ball and the hole to help keep your putt on line without lifting your head. This way, you will have control of your stroke. (2)
Practicing The Stroke
Practicing the stroke before the actual shot will bring you more routine and security. Practice using a pendulum motion to take the club back, then hit through the ball. The head should remain steady, and the lower body should stay still.
Practicing On The Putting Green Before The Round
Practicing on the putting green before the round will give you several advantages. You will get familiar with the golf course, and even if you play that course quite often, you will “feel” the terrain and green right before the actual game. You will also be able to adapt to the weather conditions in advance.
Putting With Your Core
Putting with your core means when you get into putting posture and use your core muscles, you use them to rock your arms and shoulders back and forth.
“If you lead with your core, the arms, shoulders, and club will follow. Rocking your core will allow you to worry less about your stroke path and keep your arms and hands relaxed throughout the motion.” (4)
Connecting The Target
Most amateur golfers gaze down at the ground instead of to the hole. Professionals, on the contrary, do not take their eyes off the target. Connecting the target will bring you confidence and “feeling” the putt. (4)
Aim The Area Beyond The Hole
Researchers from Yale University recommend that golfers should take а step left and right and visualize the putts from those points. The diamond-shaped area beyond the hole where all imaginary lines meet is the best aiming point. (1)
Keep Even Balance Between Your Toes And Heels
Golf scientists from the University of Lincoln in the UK used scanning technology to study golfers. The tech used measures the pressure under golfers’ toes and heels as the golfer addresses their putts. They found that the even distribution of pressure from heel to toe improves the balance during a putt. (1)
Concentration On The Ball During The Strike
Scientists from the University of Lincoln recommend spending a few seconds during your stroke concentrating on the ball. Next, continue staring at the same spot on the ground after striking the ball. They found that reducing the variability of your stare increases the likelihood of successful putts. (1)
Distance Reading
During the green-reading, golfers tend to focus more on deviations than on distance because they think distance is easier to judge. They often miss the putt due to distance misjudgment. Take your time and give yourself an eye test before every round. (5)
Block “Noise” Pollution
The background, while trying to read the green, often distracts golfers. Abstracting yourself from the surrounding background and focus only on the path between the ball and the hole will improve your putt. The only slope that matters is the slope that exists between you and the hole. (5)
Read The Putts Like A Clock
Picture a clock face over the hole with 6 o’clock pointing at your ball. Then imagine where on the clock your putt will roll over and sink into the hole. If your ball goes into the seven o’clock, for example, focus on that edge of the hole as you settle into your starting position. (5)
Mental Ways
Keep It Simple
Mental coaches recommend keeping it simple as much as possible. It would help if you focused first on your goal: where the ball should go and how hard to hit it to get there. Then, if you can leverage some additional way to get the ball into the hole without disrupting your primary focus, it is even better. (6)
Enjoy The Putting
A positive mindset is crucial for the process of putting. If you approach putting as challenging and enjoyable, you will improve faster than you think.
Trust Yourself
To become a great putter, you should trust your skills totally, even if you miss the target. Trust is the letting go. Don’t try so hard to force the ball into the hole. Trusting yourself allows you to put your best on the golf course. (6)
It Is OK To Miss
The American basketball shooter mentality adopts this mental approach. You are going to miss some putts by trying to make them. You may miss one but make six in a row, for example, starting from the next stroke. It is OK to miss, never give up! (6)
Patience On The Green
Keep doing your putts, and even if you miss, rewards will come for your patience sooner or later. Patience guarantees that results will come if you stay focused on the task do not become frustrated or nervous, and your perseverance will lead to success. (6)
Confidence
Confidence is the mental and emotional solder that makes golfers believe that they can make every putt. Confidence does not allow mishits to affect your play because you know you are giving your best into every stroke, and it is only a question of time to succeed. (6)
Putting FAQ
What Is The Best Putting Technique?
Professionals recommend this a three steps putting technique. First, find your putting arm and drop several balls on the green. Second, establish your grip. Finally, yet importantly, develop your stroke.
What Is The Perfect Putting Stroke?
The perfect putting stroke is when you are rocking your shoulders to move your arms, hands, and the club together as a whole. The wrists stay firm, and the lower part of your body should remain still.
Final Thoughts On Ways To Improve Your Putting
It would be difficult, if not impossible, to follow all methods of improving your golf putting. However, you can pick those who work for you the best, and improve faster. Perhaps a combination of technical and mental ways would work the best.
Sources
- 1. Gwynne, Peter. “The Physics of Golf and the Science behind Sinking a Putt.” The Washington Post, WP Company, www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/the-physics-of-golf-and-the-science-around-sinking-a-good-putt/2015/06/29/6cc18e92-0bc3-11e5-a7ad-b430fc1d3f5c_story.html Assessed May 3, 2021
- 2. Penn, Sharon. “What Is Putting in Golf?” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, https://golftips.golfweek.usatoday.com/putting-golf-2474.html Assessed May 3, 2021
- 3. Wikipedia, “Golf.”, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golf#Types_of_putting Assessed May 3, 2021
- 4. “Putting.” GolfDigest.com, www.golfdigest.com/play/instruction/putting Assessed May 4, 2021
- 5. DeNunzio, David, “Putting Tips: 7 Ways to Become a Putting Machine.” Golf, https://golf.com/instruction/putting-tips-7-ways-to-become-a-putting-machine/ Assessed May 4, 2021
- 6. Golf Fitness Magazine, “Six Mental Steps to Great Putting.” Golf Channel, www.golfchannel.com/article/golf-fitness-magazine/six-mental-steps-great-putting Assessed May 4, 2021
