6 Ways To Improve Your Putting

We all know that the pros can hit the shots. They can drive the ball a long way in a straight line. They can all hit great iron shots. Sand shots and chipping from around the green is easy for all these pros. Half wedge shots cause them no problem at all. The one thing that really separates the winners from the rest of us is being able to putt the ball.

If you watch professional golfers, you will see that they have developed a routine. They do things the same way each time. After a while, the routine becomes automatic. Professionals follow a routine for each drive, iron shot, chip and putt. To become a better putter, you must develop a good putting routine. Save putts with a good putting stroke. Tiger Woods even states that when he is going out to play the course, he is “re-playing it”. He has done the shot so many times exactly the same way that it is not new to him.

1. Mark Your Ball

Once your ball is on the green, always mark it. Pick up your ball and clean it thoroughly. If it isn’t your turn, get behind your marker, and get a read of the green. When it is your turn to putt it is time to begin your routine. Developing a routine will help you become a better putter.

2. Read the Line

The key to good putting is to see in your mind the line between the ball and the hole. However, most golfers make one common mistake. They analyze the potential trajectory starting from the hole backwards toward the ball. Mistake! You have to do exactly the opposite – you have to mentally visualize the best route of the ball from its current position toward the hole.

3. Change Your Grip

The hands play a very little part in the putting stroke, and should not override the up and down movement of the shoulders. The most popular grip is the Reverse Overlap which brings the hands together as one unit. The left index finger is on top of the fingers on the right hand and the right little finger is touching the grip.

4. Place Your Ball Properly

Replace your ball with the printing at a 90 degree angle to the green (from top to bottom). This helps you see how the ball will track. Get behind your ball, a sufficient distance away, to determine the probable path that the ball will take to the hole. There are many methods to use that determine which way the ball will break toward the hole, plum bobbing etc. Use the one that you like the best.

5. Keep Your Head Still

Every good putter keeps their head perfectly still from start to finish of their putting stroke. The eyes, as well as the head, should be on the vertical of the ball before striking. Sometimes you may have the temptation to look if the ball strike is heading towards the hole – Don’t! This attitude can cause even the most minimal head movement that may cause putting failure or inconsistencies.

6. Use a Pendulum Swing

Once you’ve determined how the ball will break it is now time to begin your setup routine for your putt. Most of the pros use a strong grip that eliminates the use of the wrists. The really good putters use a pendulum swing that eliminates using their wrists. The wrists are locked and the arms swing in a straight line like a pendulum.

If you watch a pro-player, they set up their stance with their feet about shoulder width apart. Then they take two or three practice swings to get a feel for how far the putt will travel. Then they adjust their stance and make their putt. They use the same routine, whether it is a long putt or a short putt. You can improve your putting stroke by copying them.