Stellar putting involves understanding the basic mechanics needed to produce consistent results. There are four components to putting. The components are dependent upon one another and must all work together to send the ball on line.
1. The Stance - The putting stance should be relaxed and fairly narrow. The feet should be no wider than the hips. The weight should be centered between the balls of the feet. Never putt with the weight over the toes or over the heels. When the weight is over the toes of the feet, the tendency will be to push putts off of the line. When the weight is on the heels, the tendency will be to pull putts off line. Getting the putting stance right, also involves aligning the stance and body along the intended target line. The feet should be square to the target line. The rest of the body, legs, hips and shoulders should be lined up with the feet and also square to the target.
2. The Grip - The grip is what connects your body to the club and should not be taken for granted. A good grip on the putter is one that features the palms facing each other with the thumbs on top of the putter grip. The thumbs should be pointed down toward the head of the putter. Grip pressure should be very light. Light grip pressure allows for more feel. To putt well, being able to 'feel' the putterface through the stroke is a must.
3. Ball Placement - Proper ball position is a key component to sending the ball along the correct path. Too far forward or too far back can play a roll in the ball's direction when the putterface approaches the ball through impact. The ball should always be positioned in the same place in the stance to be consistent. Play the ball between the left instep and the center of the stance. This will place the ball slightly forward in the stance and will allow the face of the putter to impact the ball in a square to line position promoting a straighter line.
4. The Putting Stroke - The most important aspect to the putting stroke itself is to accelerate through impact. Resist the urge to putt with the hands. Use the shoulders, arms and hands in unison to complete a putting stroke for maximum accuracy. A natural stroke is one where the putter starts off by traveling straight back from the ball and incrementally begins to travel slightly inside the line. Naturally, the face of the putter will open slightly. The stroke back towards the ball should follow the same path as the backswing, working from slightly inside and back to square into impact.
The basic putting components, when applied together, are the keys to rolling the ball smoothly and confidently towards the hole. Practice these principles and make whatever small adjustments that may be needed to fit your style in order to accelerate through the ball and putt the ball straight along the chosen line every time.
1. The Stance - The putting stance should be relaxed and fairly narrow. The feet should be no wider than the hips. The weight should be centered between the balls of the feet. Never putt with the weight over the toes or over the heels. When the weight is over the toes of the feet, the tendency will be to push putts off of the line. When the weight is on the heels, the tendency will be to pull putts off line. Getting the putting stance right, also involves aligning the stance and body along the intended target line. The feet should be square to the target line. The rest of the body, legs, hips and shoulders should be lined up with the feet and also square to the target.
2. The Grip - The grip is what connects your body to the club and should not be taken for granted. A good grip on the putter is one that features the palms facing each other with the thumbs on top of the putter grip. The thumbs should be pointed down toward the head of the putter. Grip pressure should be very light. Light grip pressure allows for more feel. To putt well, being able to 'feel' the putterface through the stroke is a must.
3. Ball Placement - Proper ball position is a key component to sending the ball along the correct path. Too far forward or too far back can play a roll in the ball's direction when the putterface approaches the ball through impact. The ball should always be positioned in the same place in the stance to be consistent. Play the ball between the left instep and the center of the stance. This will place the ball slightly forward in the stance and will allow the face of the putter to impact the ball in a square to line position promoting a straighter line.
4. The Putting Stroke - The most important aspect to the putting stroke itself is to accelerate through impact. Resist the urge to putt with the hands. Use the shoulders, arms and hands in unison to complete a putting stroke for maximum accuracy. A natural stroke is one where the putter starts off by traveling straight back from the ball and incrementally begins to travel slightly inside the line. Naturally, the face of the putter will open slightly. The stroke back towards the ball should follow the same path as the backswing, working from slightly inside and back to square into impact.
The basic putting components, when applied together, are the keys to rolling the ball smoothly and confidently towards the hole. Practice these principles and make whatever small adjustments that may be needed to fit your style in order to accelerate through the ball and putt the ball straight along the chosen line every time.
Putting
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