Putting Tips to Get you Putting Like a Pro

Putting usually comprises about 40 – 50% of your total strokes, so improvements in this area of your game should make an immediate impact on your score. Here are 5 putting tips that you can implement today to slash several strokes off of your next round of golf.

Putting Grip

If you currently use the same grip for driving, long irons, chipping, and putting, you may want to consider modifying your putting grip. Long drives require a firm, strong grip on the club so you get maximum power throughout the swing, whereas chips and putts require more finesse. For putting, you should have a light grip on the putter, with both hands parallel to each other and parallel to the club face. The hands should be interlocked, with the left hand lower. The softer grip allows the putter to do the work, rather than have your hands push the ball to one side or the other.

Control Your Body

Your lower body should not move at all when you putt. Again, you are not trying to get a lot of power behind the ball, you are looking for finesse. All of the motion should be from the upper body. Practice putting and focus on keeping your lower body still. Keep practicing until this feels normal.

Spot Putt

Especially for long putts, it can be difficult to extend your focus all the way to the hole, and still make a good stroke and hit the ball properly. Instead, focus on a spot a few inches in front of your ball, that is along the proper path the ball should take to get to the hole. While putting, make sure that the ball rolls directly over this spot. This allows you to keep your eyes focused on the ball and make a clean stroke.

Do Not Linger Over the Putt

If you linger over a putt for too long, you can lose the feel of the putt. After you have measured it out, determined the line, and practiced the speed of the putt, you should not wait too long to make the actual putt. Once you have taken your last practice putt, and you are getting in your final stance, count down from 10 and hit the putt before you get to zero. Before long you will not even need to count down at all, it will come more naturally.

Develop a Routine

Whatever you do to get ready for a putt, do it the same way every time. Size up the putt the same way, for example, look at the putt from behind the ball first, look at the putt from halfway to the hole, then look at the putt from behind the hole. Then make your way back to the ball, you may want to look at the putt one more time from behind the ball, and then make practice swings, get in your stance, and then putt. Whatever your routine may be, just do it the same way each time. This will keep you in a good rhythm to putt.

Implement these putting tips today and watch your 3 putts turn into 2 putts, slashing several strokes off of your next round of golf.

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