In Golf, how can I get better in putting? Any tips?

Answer 1

Make sure you don't use your wrists. Practice. Learn the feel and how far to take the club back for different distances. That takes hours of practice.

PGA Director of Instruction Rick Martino explains how you can become a confident, more successful putter with some easy drills.
http://www.pga.com/improve/tips/rickmartino/improve_martino011706.cfm

Here are some putting basics
http://www.pga.com/improve/tips/shortgame/improve_beck110904.cfm

Answer 2

With putting, confidence is the key. Here is a great way to build that.

As has been mentioned, practice. Also mentioned was the idea of speed control. With practice there has to be a certain amount of structure. The drill called "The Ladder Drill" will incorporate both.

Confidence can be built by making putts, and short putts can do that for you. Longer putts you won't make as often, but are important to learn speed and distance control.

For the ladder drill, place balls on the green, starting at 3 feet, then 5, then 8, 10, 12, 15, 18 and 20. Start at the first ball, and move your way back. You should probably make the first two fairly easily (provided that you haven't selected tricky putts like side or downhill, which you can use this drill for later). As you move back, try to get a feeling as to how much force is going to be needed to get the ball to the hole. Also keep in mind that you aren't necessarily trying to make the longer ones; you want to ensure that if you don't sink it, you are leaving yourself a very simple tap in on the second putt, say inside 2 feet of the hole. Once you have completed the drill, set it up and go again. This will ingrain the feeling of the amount of force you will need from varying distances.

You can mix up this drill by starting at the first ball, then moving to the fourth, then the second, or whatever pattern you like. Another way to vary it would be setting them up on downhill or side hill lies. This will add both the element of line (where you have to hit the putt in relation to the hole) and further speed control.

Also keep in mind that this drill will vary from green to green and course to course. It's a good one for getting the speeds on greens before a round.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

The only way you can get better at putting is lots of practice. Your eyes have to learn how to read the break. Distance control is just as important. Make sure you read every putt from at least behind the ball whether you are on the putting green or on the golf course. If you are pulling or pushing your short putts, you might need to work on your technique.

Answer 4

My buddies always laugh at me and say that I am engage in Zen putting but this really works for me to read the line. Instead of trying to determine the degree the ball is going to break by looking at the approach to the hole, walk beside it very slowly to feel the contour with your feet. This is particularly useful when surrounded by mountains that can fool your eyes. You will be surprised how many times a putt will look straight to you but when you walk it you can tell that there is some slope. I would also make sure that you make sure your eyes are positioned directly over the impact line on the putter. Finally, dont look at the ball after striking it for 2 seconds. This will make you keep your head still.

Answer 5

First of all, learn to develop an "arm and shoulder" stroke. Take your wrists and hands out of the motion and learn to let the putter head swing itself. Distance control is learned by the length of the stroke. Never "hit" the putt - use a pendulum swinging motion to "brush" the ball toward the hole.

Start from a short distance away from the hole to develop the putting stroke. Gradually move back as you develop the smooth stroke and even tempo. Practice only flat putts until you get the hang of the short ones.

A good drill is to start on one side of the putting green and putt to the edge of the collar on the other side of the putting green to learn distance control. Try to get the ball as close as you can to the collar without going on to it. This drill removes the pressure of trying to hole the putt - instead allowing you to work on distance control.

Answer 6

Start with straight, 1 foot putts, make 5 in a row, then 2 foot putts, then 3 foot, then 4 foot. Once you master the 4 foot putt, you will be a very good putter from any distance. If you have access to a "chalk box", you can use it to help you with your alignment.

Answer 7

Practice, practice, practice and then practice some more! It is best to do different types of drills when you practice. Grab an issue of Golf Digest or Golf Magazine. They almost always have different putting drills in them.

Answer 8

The best putters have the best rhythm. Try the 4 count drill. Once you are ready to hit the putt, look at the hole and count one, look back to the ball and count two, swing back on three, and hit the ball on four. Count at an even tempo, keep the tempo the same on all length putts - guaranteed to work!!!

Answer 9

Practice

Answer 10

Practice is the key. I would suggest drawing a small circle around a practice hole and try and get all of your putts into that circle. Gradually increase the distance and angles of your putts.