Make more putts with these 3 tips

Putts make up about half of the total strokes in a round of golf, so mathematically it makes sense to focus on the flatstick if you want to drop your score and have more success this season.

Fortunately, there are only a few things you need to know to improve your stroke, improve your feel and finish three putts. Check out the guide below to level up your rankings and tap into your true potential.

Check your setup

If you’re running a green practice, one of the best things you can do is check your setup. It allows you to build a good foundation that increases your chances of making a consistent stroke every time.

Also, in a video with Titleist, Brad Faxon, eight-time PGA Tour winner and coaching coach for Rory McIlroy, shared that it’s one of his key focuses for his students.

So what does a good address space look like?

According to Faxon, every great putter has four things in common:

1. Correct posture and body alignment

Faxon divides body alignment, which you can look at in a full-length mirror, into two parts: lower body and upper body.

For proper lower body alignment, Faxon looks for the ankles, knees and hips to be the same width apart and in line. He explains that a little standing can help promote this setup.

In terms of upper body alignment, he says he likes it when the player’s nose, shirt buttons and belt buckle are in line.

2. Weight and ball position slightly forward

“Most of the best putters in the world have more weight on their left or lead side,” Faxon said.

He says imagine your weight is split 55-45, which isn’t a huge difference, but enough to get you to move the putter level through impact.

“You want to have more weight and pressure leaning to the left,” says Faxon, “If you go too far forward, you might hit the floor.” If you go too far back, you might hit.”

Regarding ball position, Faxon says to play the ball slightly inside the lead heel.

3. Getting the arms square to the target line

One key setup Faxon talks about is getting your body squared up to target. You can practice setting the square by placing the guide rod parallel to the target line. This will allow you to check that your knees, hips, hips and shoulders are square.

Don’t stress if you are not completely square. Faxon says get as close as you can, but there’s one area you should focus on.

“It would be nice if your knees, thighs, hips and shoulders are square,” says Faxon, “But what I like to see the most is square forearms where you’re aiming.”

“To me, that gives the putter a chance to be repetitive,” Faxon said.

4. Correct distance from the ball to the eye area

The last thing Faxon says all great putters do is stand the right distance from the ball and have the right eye position – which you can use a putting mirror to measure.

To check your distance and eye position, Faxon says to place a mirror down, square to your target line. Now, put the ball on the mirror and set it.

Faxon explains that your eye area should never drift out of the ball. Ideally, your eyes will fall just inside the ball and along the target line, or, over the ball and even along the target line. Play around with different eye positions to see what works best for you.

Use the 60-40 method

The biggest misconception golfers have about putting is that they need to be quick with their stroke. This thought often stems from the fear of getting down on the putt and often leads to the player making a short to long stroke.

But, research (below) from Joe Hallet and Joe Plecker, two GOLF Top 100 instructors, proves that speeding up the stroke, or the short-to-long approach, actually works against you.

You can watch Hallet and Plecker provide a detailed explanation of their findings here, but their research revealed that short to long strokes actually led to less acceleration, which reduced speed and control of the putter face – even causing players to improve yes.

Instead, Hallet and Plecker say the 60-40 method, or a long backstroke and a short backstroke, is the way to go. Their research showed that when players transitioned from a longer stroke to a shorter one, they had less swing acceleration, which reduced face rotation at impact and increased speed control.

To try, place two tees on the ground to mark the length of your stroke. One should represent the length of your backstroke, which should be two-thirds the length of your stroke. For example, if your backstroke is six inches, your stroke should be three inches. It may be helpful to mark your ballpark to find the distances at each location.

Now, place the ball on the ground parallel to the hitting station you have set up. Return the putter, stopping your backstroke on the corresponding tee. From here, let your putter “fall” on the ball, and stop your stroke on the forward tee.

To hit several putts using this method, you must first realize that your putts will rest a few inches from each other. Also, over time you should make more consistent, mid-face strikes that lead to better distance control and an improved feel for the green.

Learn to read vegetables

A proper setup and a strong stroke will take you very far, but if you want to be a really good putter, you have to learn to read the greens. And this super simple method from Carly Schneider can help.

To use Schneider’s method, simply ask yourself two questions:

Is it up or down?

Does it go left or right?

You can answer these questions by giving your putt a look from the side, from the other side of the hole or even a textbook green – just remember to check if they are allowed in any events you may be playing in.

If you can understand the contours of the greens and how they will affect your putt, you will leave your putts closer to the hole and minimize those painful three putts.

Practice, practice, practice

Now, I know I said there were only three keys, but to be a good putter you have to use all of them. There are tons of handy drills that will help you drive your distance control, hit shorter putts and feel more confident with those tricky slides.

Placing a gated Arc Mirror

$64.99

Elevate Your Putting Game with the Arc Putting Mirror The Arc Putting Mirror is your secret weapon for a more consistent and accurate putting game. This training mirror helps you master the basics of alignment and hitting technique, so you can sink more putts with confidence. Perfect Your Putting and Stroke Alignment Key Features: Full Alignment Check: Analyze your eye line, shoulder alignment, and putter face angle to ensure perfect setup. Built-in Arc Lines: Visualize the perfect putting arc with built-in arc lines, inspired by our best-selling Putting Arc training resources. Sturdy and Durable Design: Take your workout anywhere with ease with this portable and sturdy monitor. Choose Your Perfect Combination: Mirror with 3 Casting Gates: Practice precision and control with adjustable casting gates to help you consistently hit your target line. Mirror + Positioning Arc T3 Combo: The ultimate training duo! Combine the Putting Arc Mirror with the Putting Arc T3 for a comprehensive putting practice experience that will help you master a natural, repeatable stroke. Take Your Putting Game to the Next Level With the Putting Arc Mirror, you’ll gain confidence and mastery over the greens. Order yours today and start placing like a pro!

buy now

View Product