How to Putt in Golf: A Complete 6-Step Guide

 

You know, the golf hole is just 4.25 inches wide, but the golf ball is only 1.68 inches wide. It's crazy, right? But here's the good news – you don't have to be perfect to sink putts. With that much room for error, even if you miss slightly to the left or right, you still have a good chance of making the shot.

And guess what? Learning how to putt in golf can have a huge impact on your overall score. Did you know that about 40% of all strokes in a round of golf come from putting? That's a big deal! Just a little improvement on the greens can bring down your score significantly.

Let's break it down for higher handicap golfers. On those long putts outside 30 feet, they usually only manage to get within about 8-9 feet of the hole on average. And when they're 20-handicappers, they miss about 15% of their 3-foot putts, a whopping 50% of their 5-foot putts, and a staggering 80% of their 10-footers. Not to mention that they 3-putt nearly 20% of the time!

So, what's the takeaway from all these stats? Well, putting tips for high handicappers lose most of their putting strokes because they struggle with distance control on long putts and holing out short putts under 5 feet. It's the perfect recipe for those dreaded 3-putts, and they happen on about 1 out of every 5 holes!

But don't worry, there's hope! By focusing on better distance control and making more short putts, you could easily save yourself 5-10 strokes per round. That's a game-changer, isn't it?

Alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty of how to putt in golf the right way. We'll cover the essentials, like how to hold a putter, the different grip types, proper stance, the putting motion, face angle at impact, and distance control.

How to Hold the Putter

When you grip your driver or irons, you hold them in your fingers to allow for proper release. But with the putter, you want to limit face rotation. So, grip the putter more in the palms, with the shaft running down the lifeline of your lead hand. Make sure your hands face each other, with both thumbs placed on top of the grip.

The Different Grip Types

You have options when it comes to the grip type. There's the conventional grip (right hand low), cross-handed grip (left hand low), the "claw" grip to minimize right hand involvement, and the arm lock grip for added stability.

Proper Stance

Stances can vary, but good putters share some common characteristics. Stand with your feet a little less than shoulder-width apart, bend slightly at the knees and hips, and have your eyes directly over or slightly inside the ball. Your arms should hang naturally below your shoulders, and all body parts should be parallel to the target line.

The Putting Motion

Instead of a longer through-swing than backswing, opt for a more symmetrical and rhythmic pendulum-like stroke. This ensures a consistent pace through the ball, which helps you gauge the right effort for different distances.

Face Angle at Impact

Controlling the face angle at impact is critical for accurate putting, especially on short putts. Studies show that the face angle has a significant impact on the starting line of the putt. Work on drills to improve your face angle control, like the "Roll the Battery" exercise.

Distance Control

Distance control is crucial to avoid those frustrating 3-putts. Practice drills like the "Leap Frog" to get a better feel for how much force you need to exert in your putting stroke to achieve the desired distance.

In conclusion, putting is a massive part of the game, accounting for over 40% of all strokes in a round. But don't let that overwhelm you; it's an opportunity to improve your score significantly. Focus on the fundamentals and practice the drills we've mentioned. Before you know it, those pesky 3-putts and missed short putts will be a thing of the past. Anyone can learn how to putt in golf, and with a bit of dedication, you'll see your scores drop in no time!