15 Expert Putting Tips to Improve Your Golf Game

More Americans are playing golf than ever before, according to a report by the PGA Tour.

If you didn't know, putting is one of the most crucial skills in golf. A great putter can reduce golf scores significantly and make the game more enjoyable.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced golfer, learning expert techniques can help you improve your accuracy and confidence. Read on for 15 expert putting tips to help you refine your stroke and become a more consistent putter.

1. Focus on a Smooth Stroke

A smooth, controlled stroke is the foundation of great putting. Many golfers make the mistake of jerking the club or hitting the ball too hard, which can cause inconsistency.

Instead, focus on a steady and controlled motion. Keep your arms relaxed and let the putter swing naturally like a pendulum.

Avoid excessive wrist movement, as this can lead to mishits. A smooth stroke allows you to control both the distance and direction of your putts.

Practicing with a metronome or counting in your head can help you develop a rhythmic putting stroke. The more consistent your stroke, the better your accuracy will be on the green.

2. Read the Green Carefully

Before taking a putt, take time to assess the green. Look for slopes, breaks, and any uneven patches that may affect the ball's path.

The direction and speed of the grass can also impact how the ball rolls. A good way to read the green is to crouch down behind the ball and visualize its path to the hole.

Some golfers like to use their putters as visual aids to line up their shots. Pay attention to the surrounding landscape as well. If there is water nearby, the green may slope in that direction.

The more time you spend learning how to read greens, the better your putting accuracy will become.

3. Keep Your Eyes Over the Ball

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Proper alignment is essential for consistent putting. One of the most common mistakes golfers make is placing their eyes too far inside or outside the ball. Ideally, your eyes should be directly over the ball.

Doing this helps you see the correct line and make a square impact with the putter. A great way to check your alignment is to place a golf ball directly below your eyes while holding another ball near your forehead.

Drop the ball from your forehead. If it lands directly on the other ball, your alignment is correct. Keeping your eyes over the ball improves depth perception and enhances your ability to make precise strokes.

4. Develop a Consistent Pre-Shot Routine

A consistent pre-shot routine helps build confidence and improves performance under pressure. Most professional golfers follow the same steps before every putt. A good routine might include stepping behind the ball to read the green, taking a few practice strokes to get a feel for distance, aligning your putter face, and taking a deep breath before executing the stroke.

Sticking to a routine reduces anxiety and increases consistency. By making your pre-shot routine second nature, you will feel more comfortable and confident in high-pressure situations.

5. Use the Right Grip for Improving Golf Accuracy

Your grip is a critical component of putting. If your grip is too tight, it can create tension in your hands and arms, making it harder to control the putter.

If your grip is too loose, you may lack the necessary stability. The most popular grip among golfers is the reverse overlap grip.

Another effective grip is the cross-handed grip, where the left hand is lower than the right (for right-handed golfers), which can help reduce wrist movement. Experiment with different grips to find one that provides both comfort and control.

6. Control Your Distance

Distance control is one of the most important aspects of putting. If you frequently leave putts short or blast them past the hole, your scores will suffer.

To improve distance control, try the "ladder drill." It involves putting several balls at different distances from the hole (5, 10, and 15 feet). From there, try to putt each ball so it stops just past the hole.

Such a drill improves feel and touch, helping you develop better speed control. Additionally, always aim to make your putts roll about 12-18 inches past the hole. This ensures that missed putts have a chance to drop rather than coming up short.

7. Putting Practice Drills with Short Putts

Short putts are critical for reducing golf scores. Many strokes are lost from missing putts within five feet. To build confidence and consistency, set up a circle of tees around the hole at a three-foot distance.

Then, attempt to sink putts from each position around the circle. Practicing short putts will help eliminate three-putts and increase your ability to sink par-saving putts. Professional golfers always try to perfect their short putts because they know how vital they are in a round of golf.

8. Keep Your Lower Body Stable

Stability is a key component of a good putting stroke. If your lower body moves too much during your stroke, it can throw off your accuracy.

The ideal putting stroke is controlled by your shoulders and arms. Your lower body should remain still.

A helpful drill to practice stability is to place a golf ball or coin under each foot and try to keep them from shifting as you putt. Doing this will train your body to remain steady throughout your stroke, leading to more consistent results.

9. Aim for the Right Speed

Speed is just as important as direction when it comes to putting. Many golfers focus only on the line of their putt but neglect speed control. If a putt is too fast, it can roll past the hole, leaving a difficult comeback putt.

If it's too slow, it may break too much or stop short. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a speed that would send the ball about 12-18 inches past the hole if you miss.

This ensures that putts have enough pace to drop into the cup while avoiding unnecessary three-putts. Practicing with a chalk line or alignment aid can help refine your speed control.

10. Practice With a Purpose

Practicing the right way is essential for improvement. Instead of mindlessly hitting putts, focus on specific drills and goals. For example, challenge yourself to make 10 consecutive putts from three feet before moving to a longer distance.

Competitive practice games can also make putting practice more engaging. For instance, you can try to make the most putts in a row. By practicing with intention and setting goals, you will see real improvement in your putting performance.

12. Keep Your Head Still

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Excessive head movement can cause misalignment and poor contact, leading to inconsistent putts. Keeping your head steady throughout your stroke helps maintain a smooth, repeatable motion and ensures you strike the ball cleanly.

One way to practice this is by using a mirror or video feedback to check your head position while putting. Another technique is to focus on a single dimple on the ball throughout your stroke, preventing unnecessary movement.

13. Align Your Shoulders Correctly

Your shoulders play a significant role in your putting stroke, as they dictate the path of your putter. If they're misaligned, your stroke may follow an unintended path, leading to missed putts. Keep them square to your target line to promote a more consistent roll and avoid unnecessary manipulation of the clubface.

Using an alignment rod or practicing with a putting mirror can help ensure proper shoulder positioning. Additionally, a simple drill involves placing a club across your shoulders while setting up to visualize and correct any misalignment.

14. Focus on the Impact Zone

The moment of impact between the putter and the ball is crucial for controlling speed, direction, and consistency. A square clubface can help the ball roll toward your intended line without any unwanted sidespin.

Pay close attention to keeping your hands steady and maintaining a smooth, accelerating stroke through impact. Practicing slow-motion strokes and focusing on the feel of solid contact can help you develop a more precise and controlled putting stroke.

15. Play in Different Green Conditions

Practicing on various green speeds and surfaces helps you adapt to different playing conditions, making you a more versatile putter. Some greens roll faster due to short grass and firm conditions. Others may be slower due to moisture or longer grass.

Experimenting with different stimpmeters and grass types will give you an advantage on unfamiliar courses. You can also practice putting on different slopes and grain directions to better understand how speed and break affect your putts in real-world conditions.

Putting Tips Can Make a Huge Difference During Every Game

With the above putting tips, you can elevate your playstyle and do better than ever before.

The Bandit Golf Club knows how important the golf experience is as a whole. That's why our greens and amenities are pitch-perfect. Best of all, our players love the beautiful surroundings because we're located just off the shores of Lake McQueeney. Located in the scenic Texas Hill Country, The Bandit Golf Club offers the perfect backdrop to refine your putting skills.

Do you want expert golf classes, or are you looking to play a relaxing game with some pals? Either way, don't wait to book your time at The Bandit Golf Club today.