How to Putt – Golf Lessons for the Flat Stick
In this section of the site, we’ll focus on what I truly believe is the most important club in the bag, the putter.
The putting tips and lessons below cover good putting fundamentals such as alignment and stance, the putting stroke, the putting grip, reading greens and distance control.
I’ve also included a putting drill so that you can make the most of your time when you practice putting.
How Many Putts Do You Take?
I don’t think most golfers appreciate just how many shots they are throwing away with their putter. If you want to better your scores on the golf course and lower your handicap as quickly as possible, improve your putting.
Try this exercise:
- Count the number of putts you take per round over an average of 3 rounds.
- If you’re taking more than 36 putts per round, you’re wasting shots on the golf course.
- If, like many higher handicappers, you’re taking 40+ putts per round, it’s like taking half a dozen air shots on the first tee. You wouldn’t do that too often before doing something about it!
- There’s no reason why any level of golfer can’t become a very good putter with proper instruction and a bit of practice.
- Unlike the physically demanding full swing, putting is a skill that can be mastered regardless of age and physical strength.
Putting Tips
Proper Putting AlignmentHere’s how to line your putts up correctly so you can hole out more often.
Correct Putting Stance & Ball Position
This putting lesson covers the fundamentals of putting stance, posture and golf ball position. Not to be overlooked.
Keep Your Eyes Over the Golf Ball
Improve your putting accuracy with this simple tip.
The Basic Putting GripThis lesson covers the most popular putting grip (see the lesson below for variations of this putting grip).
Tips to Improve Your Putting Stroke
You’ve set up to your putt perfectly, now here’s how to carry out the perfect putting stroke.
Improve your Putting Distance Control
If you can accurately and consistently control the speed and distance of your putts (even if your line is off a little), you’ll rarely three-putt.
More Putting Tips
Alternative Putting GripsThere’s more than one way to grip the putter. Experiment with these popular alternative grips to see which one works best for you.
How to Read Greens & BreaksPutting across a slope in the green can be tricky. This lesson will help you read the slopes and the pace of your putts so that you have confidence wherever your ball finishes on the green.
Putting with a Hybrid ClubYour putter is not always the best club in the bag to putt with. Here’s how and when to use a hybrid or rescue club to putt around the fringes of the green.
Putting Drill to Hole More Short Putts
If you can sink every putt from 3-4 feet and in, you’ll really start to see your scores on the golf course drop. Here’s a drill that will help you with that.
