Top Golf Putting Tips for Lower Scores
The only part of golf that really varies from one play to another is putting. This part of the game allows players to use different lengths of putters, different styles, different stances, and doesn't involve nearly as many fundamentals as the full swing or even a simple chip shot. There isn't a wrong or right way, but some golf putting tips can still help.
Most golfers can make significant improvements to their scores just by putting better. If you average more than 30 putts on 18 holes, then you can cut strokes on and around the green. To clarify, a putt is only counted once your ball is actually on the green. Just because you use your putter from the fringe or even the rough does not make it a putt.
Five Golf Putting Tips to Help you Shave Strokes Fast
1. Eyes over the Ball
Getting your eyes directly over the ball or slightly inside of the ball will help you start it online better. You can do a simple test to see where your eyes are by placing a golf ball in between your eyes, taking your normal stance, then dropping it. If it lands and hits the golf ball or lands just inside the ball, then your eyes are in good position.
However, if it lands outside the ball, behind the ball, or in front of the golf ball, you need to make an adjustment. Adjust your stance accordingly, and then try it again. Some training aids actually give you a mirror with lines on it to help you get the proper alignment with your eyes when putting. These will help tremendously.
2. Path
The path of the putter makes a difference when it comes to pulling or pushing putts. You can line up over the ball, hit a straight putt, and find out very quickly if you push or pull putts. All you need is a short piece of 2x4 lumber and you can fix this issue. Just place it either on the heel of the putter or the toe, and roll a few practice putts with the board there. Then, take it away and see if they roll a little better.
3. Head Movement
Even though we hear golfers say, "Keep your head down" all the time and we know it's not true, it is with putting. You don't make a big enough swing to cause your head to lift up off the ball naturally. You want to keep your head down until you hear the ball drop into the cup. This will keep you from pulling or pushing puts off line and will give you the stability you need to hit consistent putts.
4. Square Hits
Many golfers think they leave putts short because they don't judge the speed of the greens properly. This isn't true all the time. Sometimes it's an inconsistency with where you strike the ball on the putter. If you strike it just a little off center, it will not go nearly as far as a center hit. To practice center hits use two rubber bands, wrap them around your putter (one on each side of the sweet spot), and roll putts. If you miss the center of the putter, the ball will go way off to the side and you will know.
5. Shorter Stroke for Less Error
Why take a longer stroke when all it does is give you more room for error? Of course, on longer putts, you need a longer stroke, but most golfers can benefit from a shorter putting stroke. Setup to hit a five-foot straight putt and place a tee about 3 inches behind your putter. Practice accelerating through the putt and getting it to or past the hole without hitting the tee.
These golf putting tips will help you roll truer putter and give you the chance to hole them out more often. One last tip, don't try to just roll long putts close. Always try to make the putt regardless of length. If you aim for the cup, (a small target) your miss will be much smaller compared to if you aim for a three-foot circle around the hole (a target much larger).
You want smaller misses and you never know, you might just make the putt. Professional golfers always try to hole putts and if you do the same you will see more long putts end up close. Use all these golf putting tips and you will see more birdies and less three putt greens this year.
Most golfers can make significant improvements to their scores just by putting better. If you average more than 30 putts on 18 holes, then you can cut strokes on and around the green. To clarify, a putt is only counted once your ball is actually on the green. Just because you use your putter from the fringe or even the rough does not make it a putt.
Five Golf Putting Tips to Help you Shave Strokes Fast
1. Eyes over the Ball
Getting your eyes directly over the ball or slightly inside of the ball will help you start it online better. You can do a simple test to see where your eyes are by placing a golf ball in between your eyes, taking your normal stance, then dropping it. If it lands and hits the golf ball or lands just inside the ball, then your eyes are in good position.
However, if it lands outside the ball, behind the ball, or in front of the golf ball, you need to make an adjustment. Adjust your stance accordingly, and then try it again. Some training aids actually give you a mirror with lines on it to help you get the proper alignment with your eyes when putting. These will help tremendously.
2. Path
The path of the putter makes a difference when it comes to pulling or pushing putts. You can line up over the ball, hit a straight putt, and find out very quickly if you push or pull putts. All you need is a short piece of 2x4 lumber and you can fix this issue. Just place it either on the heel of the putter or the toe, and roll a few practice putts with the board there. Then, take it away and see if they roll a little better.
3. Head Movement
Even though we hear golfers say, "Keep your head down" all the time and we know it's not true, it is with putting. You don't make a big enough swing to cause your head to lift up off the ball naturally. You want to keep your head down until you hear the ball drop into the cup. This will keep you from pulling or pushing puts off line and will give you the stability you need to hit consistent putts.
4. Square Hits
Many golfers think they leave putts short because they don't judge the speed of the greens properly. This isn't true all the time. Sometimes it's an inconsistency with where you strike the ball on the putter. If you strike it just a little off center, it will not go nearly as far as a center hit. To practice center hits use two rubber bands, wrap them around your putter (one on each side of the sweet spot), and roll putts. If you miss the center of the putter, the ball will go way off to the side and you will know.
5. Shorter Stroke for Less Error
Why take a longer stroke when all it does is give you more room for error? Of course, on longer putts, you need a longer stroke, but most golfers can benefit from a shorter putting stroke. Setup to hit a five-foot straight putt and place a tee about 3 inches behind your putter. Practice accelerating through the putt and getting it to or past the hole without hitting the tee.
These golf putting tips will help you roll truer putter and give you the chance to hole them out more often. One last tip, don't try to just roll long putts close. Always try to make the putt regardless of length. If you aim for the cup, (a small target) your miss will be much smaller compared to if you aim for a three-foot circle around the hole (a target much larger).
You want smaller misses and you never know, you might just make the putt. Professional golfers always try to hole putts and if you do the same you will see more long putts end up close. Use all these golf putting tips and you will see more birdies and less three putt greens this year.
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