“Putting is like wisdom - partly a natural gift and part the accumulation of experience.”
That’s how golfing great Arnold Palmer describes one of the most difficult parts of golf.
Now you may not be playing for Major championships like Mr Palmer was.
But when you’re playing in a club tournament, or for £50 on a Sunday morning with your friends, being a great - or at least decent - putter of the ball is just as important as when sinking a putt for the Masters.
Now we might not be able to help you with the natural gift part of the equation, but we do have a few tips that will help you set up your golf putt to give yourself a better chance of making it.
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Take your time judging the green
If you’ve made it to the green in one or two strokes, you’re likely looking at a birdie opportunity.
The worst thing you can do now is rush in with your putter.
Take a breath, take your time.
Once you’re on the green, take a step back and look at the path between your ball and the hole, and what hurdles are in the way.
If you want to go PGA Pro mode, leaning down or getting on one knee so you’re closer to the ground can help you spot dips, rises and deviations that you might have otherwise missed.
It’s not necessary to replicate Camilo Villegas’ famed Spiderman pose on the green, but each to their own.
As well as anything that could knock your ball off course, look for anything that might change the speed of the ball as it travels towards the hole.
Any rough patches or longer patches of green could slow your ball down - so you’ll have to hit the ball harder.
You should also look at what’s going on behind the hole.
If you’ve got a 10-foot dip back down to the fairway just a few inches behind the hole, for example, you definitely need to consider your distance control and not overhit the shot.
Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can begin properly setting up your shot.
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The Goldilocks approach to setting up your putt
One of the factors that screws up lots of putts is where to position yourself and the golf club in relation to the ball.
Your standing position can significantly impact your putting result, so pay attention.
Standing too far from the ball forces you to extend your arms like you’re reaching for the ball.
This makes it almost impossible to create the straight backwards-to-forward motion you need.
The same goes if you’re too close to the ball.
Standing too close forces you to hunch over, restricting the free movement of your arms.
The ball should be about 12 inches in front of your feet (and slightly nearer your leading foot) for the best position.
From here, lean forward from your hips until your eyes are directly above the ball and slightly bend your knees.
If you feel yourself leaning too far forward, move your feet closer to the ball. If your arms are still too tight to your body with your eyes over the ball, move back slightly.
The important thing is you feel comfortable, and keep your eyes on the ball.
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Line up your putt
This is where you need deep focus.
In your putting position, turn your head towards the hole.
(Most players prefer the side-on turn, others like to lift their head for a more level view, it’s your call.)
Look again for dips, rises, slopes, or anything else that could affect your shot.
If you’re not sure, step back and take a wider look again.
If you’re happy, put your eyes back on the ball and make sure the putter face is square in the direction you want the ball to go.
(Pro Tip: Always move your body position if you need to change the angle of a putt. Don’t try to twist your arms around the ball as this will throw off your swing.)
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Take a practice swing
A practice swing is always useful to check that your putt “feels right”.
Once you’re set up behind the ball, take a step back and take a practice shot (don’t just limply swing the club back and forth, pretend you’re hitting the ball for real).
Is the putter square? Is the heel dragging on the grass? Can your arms move unrestricted?
You should also check your grip.
An overly firm grip means you’re too tight and you’ll struggle to swing the club properly. Similarly, an overly soft grip could make you lose control of your shot.
Keep an eye on your putter head as you move through the swing, too. It shouldn’t be lifted too high on the backstroke.
Let your shoulders do the work, as if gently rocking a baby from side to side. Too much wrist or elbow movement will make changes mid-swing you can’t take back.
But, most importantly, focus on how you feel. Golfers know when we’ve found a swing that feels natural.
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Putt With Confidence
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Now you’re ready to putt.
Step back to the ball, get in position again, and swing.
At this point, you’ve done everything you can. All you can do is trust that your preparation has been enough to get the job done.
And a little help from Lady Luck is always welcome, of course.
Come practice your putting at Clarkes Golf
Will you be in the Rainford area anytime soon? At Clarkes Golf, we’re home to a stellar 27-bay driving range, so you can practice your golf swing in style.
Or you could check out our incredible golf superstore - home to countless golf clubs, gear and accessories from all your favourite brands!
It’s the perfect place to pick up a brand-new putter if you’re looking for something to improve your short game. Or you can check our online store for some incredible golf gear bargains.
You can find us at Mill Lane, Rainford, St Helens, WA11 8LN.
Happy putting!
