Article: Best Putting Tips for Beginners

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Jul 29, 2024Golf

Best Putting Tips for Beginners

Here are the top 10 putting tips for beginner golfers:

Set up properly with correct grip, stance, and posture
Use a pendulum motion with your shoulders
Control stroke length for distance
Read greens by looking at slopes and breaks
Practice with drills like circle and gate drills
Lead with your left hand (for right-handed golfers)
Focus on rolling the ball, not hitting it
Use your fingers for better feel and control
Pick a spot in front of the ball to aim at
Keep a light grip pressure

Key Area	Tip
Setup	Eyes over ball, light grip
Stroke	Pendulum shoulder motion
Green Reading	Check slopes and breaks
Practice	Use drills for repetition
Mental	Stay relaxed and confident

Mastering these fundamentals through consistent practice will help beginners improve their putting and lower their scores. Focus on developing a repeatable stroke and good feel on the greens.

How to Hold and Stand

Good grip and stance are key for putting well. Here's what to focus on:

Grip

How you hold your putter affects your stroke. Remember these tips:

Hold the putter in your palms, not fingers
Keep your grip light (4-5 out of 10)
Try different grips to see what works best

Stance

Your posture and how you line up matter for a smooth stroke:

Bend from your hips
Put your eyes right over the ball
Bend your knees slightly
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart

Part	What to Do
Grip	Use palms, light pressure, try different styles
Stance	Bend from hips, eyes over ball, feet apart

Posture

Good posture helps you putt the same way each time:

Stand up straight
Keep your arms relaxed
Don't bend your knees too much

Practice these basics to build good habits. Try the Mirror Drill or Gate Drill to check your form and aim.

Basic Putting Technique

Learning the basic putting technique is key for new golfers. A good putting stroke has three main parts: a pendulum-like motion, control of stroke length, and a smooth follow-through. Let's look at each part:

Pendulum Motion

Think of your putting stroke like a pendulum:

Keep your arms and shoulders in a triangle shape
Move your shoulders back and forth, keeping the triangle
Don't move your wrists much

Stroke Length Control

How far you move the putter back affects how far the ball goes:

Putt Distance	Backstroke	Forward Stroke
Short	Short	Short
Medium	Medium	Medium
Long	Long	Long

Try to make your backstroke twice as long as your forward stroke.

Follow-Through

After hitting the ball:

Keep the putter head close to the ground
Keep the same speed throughout your stroke
Let the putter slow down naturally

Remember, focus on rolling the ball, not hitting it. Practice these steps often to get better.

Tip: When practicing, put a golf club on the ground pointing at your target. This helps you line up your putts better.

Reading Greens and Aiming

Learning to read greens and aim your putts is key to better putting. Here are some tips:

Green Basics

Greens are built to drain water, so they always have some tilt. Watch how water moves on the green to understand its shape.

Look Before You Get There

Start looking at the green as you walk up to it. Try to spot:

High and low points
Main tilt direction

Many greens slope from back to front. This early look can help you plan your putt.

Focus on Distance and Speed

Getting the right distance is more important than perfect aim. To judge speed:

Check if the putt goes uphill, downhill, or is flat
Walk past the hole to your ball to feel slopes with your feet
Look at areas 3 feet to each side of your line to spot side slopes

Even if you're a bit off-line, good distance control can help avoid three-putts.

Picture the Ball's Path

Try to see in your mind how the ball will roll to the hole. Think about:

The green's slope
How the ball will move towards higher ground
How it will break back to the hole

This can help you feel more sure about your putt.

Use the Plumb-Bob Method

Plumb-Bob Method

Many golfers use this trick to check the green's slope:

Step	Action
1	Hold your putter by the grip, let the head hang down
2	Line up the shaft with your target
3	Look at how the putter head hangs

If the head points left, the green slopes left. If it points right, the green slopes right.

This can help you figure out which way your putt will break.

Ways to Practice

Here are some good ways to get better at putting:

1. Circle Drill

This helps you make short putts more often:

Put balls in a circle around a hole
Start with 3-foot putts
Try to make as many in a row as you can
Move farther back as you get better

This drill helps you feel more sure about short putts in real games.

2. Gate Drill

Gate Drill

This helps you hit the ball straight:

Put two tees a bit wider than your putter head
Put your ball between the tees
Practice putting through the "gate" without hitting the tees
Focus on keeping your putter straight

This drill helps you hit the ball where you want it to go.

3. Distance Control Drill

This helps you avoid three-putts:

Distance	What to do
10 feet	Put a tee here
20 feet	Put another tee here
30 feet	Put a third tee here
40 feet	Put a fourth tee here

Put tees at these distances
Try to putt close to each tee
Putt to each tee in order, then backwards
Do it again from the other side

This drill helps you get better at long putts.

4. One-Handed Putting

This simple drill helps you putt better:

Pick a target on your carpet or practice green
Start with short putts (3-6 feet) using only one hand
Try to keep your putter straight and square to the target
Make the putts longer and the target smaller as you get better

This drill helps you feel the putter better and improves how you putt.

Mistakes to Watch Out For

Here are some common putting errors beginners often make and how to fix them:

1. Poor Alignment

Many golfers don't line up their feet, hips, and shoulders correctly. To fix this:

Use training mirrors or alignment sticks
Make sure your feet, hips, and shoulders are parallel to the target line
Check your alignment before each putt

2. Wrong Grip

A bad grip can make your putts less accurate. To improve:

Grip Tip	Description
Try different styles	Test reverse overlap, cross-handed, or claw grips
Stay consistent	Once you find a good grip, keep using it
Check pressure	Hold the putter firmly but not too tight

3. Misreading the Green

Not understanding the green can hurt your putting. To get better:

Look at the green's slope and condition
Think about wind and moisture
Picture how the ball will roll to the hole

4. Bad Ball Position

Where you place the ball matters. To get it right:

Put the ball in line with your shirt buttons
Don't set up too far forward
Keep the ball in the same spot for every putt

5. Uneven Tempo

A steady rhythm is key for good putting. To improve:

Make your backstroke twice as long as your follow-through
Practice with a metronome
Stay relaxed during your stroke

1. Lead with Your Left

Using your left hand to lead your putting stroke can help you putt better. This method helps you keep the putter straight and makes your stroke smoother. Here's why it works and how to do it:

Why leading with your left is good:

Keeps your shoulders lined up with where you want to putt
Makes your putting stroke smoother
Helps you putt more accurately

Try this drill to practice:

Stand like you normally do when putting
When you start to putt, let go with your right hand
Finish the putt using only your left hand

This drill helps you feel how to start your putt correctly and teaches your left hand to guide the putter. If you practice this often, you'll putt better.

For right-handed golfers:

Hand	Role in Putting
Left	Guides the putter, keeps it low
Right	Gives power and feel

Remember, your left hand is important for keeping the putter close to the ground when you hit the ball. This stops you from lifting the putter too soon, which can make your putt go off course.

If you use this method when you putt, you'll likely see more of your putts go in the hole. Focus on letting your left hand lead, and you should see better results on the green.

2. Think Roll, Not Hit

When putting, focus on rolling the ball instead of hitting it. This helps you putt more smoothly and accurately.

To roll the ball well:

Keep your arms close to your body
Let your shoulders move like a rocking chair
Keep your stroke smooth from start to finish

Try to make the ball roll end-over-end. This helps it stay on course and not jump or slide.

Hitting	Rolling
Ball may jump	Ball moves smoothly
Less steady	More steady
Hard to control distance	Easier to control distance

To practice:

Hit the ball softly
Think of your putter as part of your arms
Move your arms like a rocking chair to roll the ball

If you do this a lot, you'll start to putt better and more often get the ball in the hole.

3. Use Your Fingers

Your fingers play a big role in how well you putt. Here's what to keep in mind:

Grip pressure: Hold the putter lightly, about 4-5 out of 10. This helps you feel the putt better.
Finger placement: Try different ways to place your fingers. Some golfers like to put their index finger down the shaft, while others keep all fingers on the grip.
Finger control: Use your fingers to keep the putter face straight when you hit the ball. This can help you putt more accurately.

Finger Technique	How It Helps
Light grip	Better feel and more steady putts
Index finger down shaft	More control for some golfers
All fingers on grip	Might make the putter more stable

Try these tips to see what works best for you. Remember, everyone's hands are different, so find what feels right and stick with it.

4. Spot the Spot

Spot putting helps golfers putt more accurately. Here's how to do it:

Pick a spot: Choose a point about 6 inches in front of your ball on your putting line. Look for something easy to see, like a different-colored grass blade.
See the path: Picture your ball rolling over the spot and to the hole. This helps you focus on a smaller target.
Keep your head down: Look at the spot while you putt. This stops you from looking up too soon, which can make you miss.
Practice: On the practice green, put tees around the hole at different distances. Practice putting over your chosen spots.

Why Spot Putting Helps	How It Works
Better aim	You focus on a closer target
Smoother putts	Your head stays still
Clearer picture	You see the whole putt path
More trust in your putt	Makes putting simpler

5. Keep Your Grip Light

Holding your putter with the right amount of pressure is key for good putting. Here's why it matters and how to do it:

Why a Light Grip Helps:

Makes it easier to feel the putt
Lets your arms swing more naturally
Keeps your hands and arms relaxed
Helps you putt more consistently

Finding the Right Grip Pressure: Think of grip pressure on a scale from 1 to 10. Aim for about 4 or 5. This gives you control without losing feel.

How to Get the Right Grip:

Hold the putter like you're holding a small bird - firm enough to keep it, but gentle enough not to hurt it
Grip more with your fingers than your palms
Keep your wrists and arms relaxed
Try different pressures when practicing to see what works best

Grip Pressure	What Happens
Too Light (1-3)	Hard to control, might hit the ball oddly
Just Right (4-5)	Good balance of feel and control
Too Tight (6-10)	Stiff arms, less feel for the putt

Practice with different grip pressures to find what feels best for you. Remember, a lighter grip often leads to better putting.

6. Get Your Eyes in the Right Spot

Where you put your eyes when putting is very important. Here's how to do it right:

Eyes Over or Just Inside the Ball

Put your eyes right over the ball or a little bit inside the line from the ball to the hole. This helps you see the putt better and line up your shot.

Eye Position	What It Does
Over the Ball	Most common way, many coaches like this
Slightly Inside	Some players find it helps see the line better
Outside the Ball	Don't do this - it makes it hard to aim well

Check Your Eye Position

To make sure your eyes are in the right spot:

Hold your putter straight up at arm's length
Close one eye (left eye if you're right-handed)
Line up the putter with the ball
Your open eye should be right above or just inside the putter

Use a Putting Mirror

A putting mirror is a good tool to practice getting your eyes in the right spot. It shows you where your eyes are, so you can set up the same way each time.

7. Simplify Green Reading

Reading greens can be hard for new golfers, but there are ways to make it easier. Here are some tips to help you read greens better:

1. Break the putt into parts

For long putts:

Split the putt into three parts
Look at each part on its own
This makes it easier to understand the whole putt

2. Think about water

Imagine water on the green:

Picture where it would flow
This helps you see high and low spots
Knowing the slopes helps you putt better

3. Look from behind the ball

Step back from your ball:

This gives you a better view of the whole green
You can see slopes and breaks more clearly

4. Check different things

When reading a green, look at:

What to Check	Why It Matters
Grass direction	Ball tends to move with the grass
Slope	Look from behind the hole to see it better
Green speed	Know how fast the green is to hit the right strength
How far away	Longer putts usually curve more

8. Line Up Your Putts

Lining up your putts correctly can help you putt better. Here are some tips:

Use ball marks: Look for lines or logos on your golf ball to help you aim. If your ball doesn't have these, you can draw a straight line on it. This can make you feel more sure about your putt.
Aim at your start line: After you read the green and decide how hard to hit, point your ball where you want it to start. Many pro golfers do this to putt more accurately.
Try aiming tools: Some putters, like the Odyssey 2-Ball Ten, have marks that help you line up. These can help you point your ball and putter face the right way.
Practice with drills: Use drills to get better at lining up. Here are two you can try:

Drill	How to Do It	What It Helps With
Chalk line	Draw a line on the green with chalk and try to putt along it	Shows if your ball starts on the right path
Putting Tutor	Use this tool made by Dave Pelz	Helps with both aim and speed

9. Practice Distance Control

Getting better at controlling how far your putts go is key to lower scores. Here are some good ways to practice:

Ladder Drill: Put targets at different distances from the hole. Start close and move back. Try to get each putt within 3 feet of the hole. This helps you feel different distances.
Steady Rhythm: Keep a 2:1 beat in your putting stroke (back twice as long as forward). Use a phone app to time your strokes and build muscle memory.
Distance Markers: Learn how far your putts go with different strokes. Practice from 1-meter steps to help judge distances on the course.
Soft Grip: Hold the putter lightly to feel the putt better and make smoother strokes. This helps a lot for longer putts.
Roll, Don't Hit: Think about rolling the ball smoothly instead of hitting it. This helps control distance and stops the ball from jumping.

Practice Tip	What It Does	How to Do It
Ladder Drill	Improves distance feel	Set targets at increasing distances
Steady Rhythm	Builds consistent stroke	Use 2:1 tempo (back:forward)
Distance Markers	Helps judge putt length	Practice from 1-meter increments
Soft Grip	Enhances feel	Keep hands relaxed on putter
Roll Technique	Promotes smooth putts	Focus on rolling, not hitting

These tips can help you get better at controlling your putts. Practice them often to see improvement in your game.

10. Rock the Shoulders

Moving your shoulders the right way is key for good putting. Here's how to do it:

Turn, don't tilt: Move your shoulders side to side, not up and down. This keeps your head still.
Use your shoulder blades: Focus on moving your shoulder blades across your back. This makes your putter move just right.
Keep it simple: The easier your stroke, the more you can do it the same way each time.

To practice:

Stand up straight with a club across your shoulders.
Turn your shoulders left and right. Keep your head still.
Do this same turn when you're in your putting stance.

When you move your shoulders right, it's like a pendulum. This helps you control how far and where your putt goes. If you practice this, you'll putt more smoothly and the same way each time.

Wrong Way	Right Way
Moving shoulders up and down	Turning shoulders side to side
Keeping upper body stiff	Letting shoulders move naturally
Using only hands and wrists	Using bigger arm and shoulder muscles
Hitting the ball hard	Rolling the ball smoothly

Wrap-up

Great job! You've learned key putting tips to help your golf game. Let's go over the main points to make you a better putter:

Set up the same way: Make a routine for how you stand, where you put the ball, and how you hold the putter. This helps you putt the same way each time.
Practice smart: Work on short putts (under six feet) and long putts (around 40 feet). These are important for saving par and avoiding three-putts.
Practice at home: If you can, get a putting mat or small green for your home. This lets you practice even when you're not at the golf course.
Read the green: Take time to look at the slopes. Keep it simple by focusing on the last few feet of where your putt will go.
Move your shoulders right: Turn your shoulders side to side, not up and down. Use your shoulder blades to make a smooth back-and-forth motion.

To get better, use these tips when you practice. Whether you're on the course or at home, practicing often is the key to feeling sure about your putting. Remember, every good golfer started as a beginner – if you keep working at it, you'll get much better at putting.

Where to Practice	What to Work On
Golf Course	Short putts, long putts, reading greens
Home	How you move the putter, your routine, controlling distance

Keep working on your skills, and try different ways to putt to find what works best for you. Good luck with your putting, and we hope your golf scores get better!

FAQs

How to put more accurately?

To improve your putting accuracy, focus on these key areas:

1. Setup

Create a simple pre-putt routine
Stand correctly and line up well
Use the marks on your putter to aim

2. Grip and pressure

Try different ways to hold the putter
Keep your grip light

3. Practice often

Spend about half your practice time on putting
Use drills like the gate drill to get better

4. Read the green

Look at how the green slopes
Focus on the last few feet of your putt
Keep it simple when you read the green

5. Putting stroke

Use your shoulders to move the putter
Don't move your wrists much
Think about rolling the ball, not hitting it

Area to Improve	What to Do
Setup	Make a routine, stand right, use putter marks
Grip	Try different holds, keep grip light
Practice	Do putting drills, practice often
Green Reading	Check slopes, focus on end of putt
Stroke	Use shoulders, roll the ball