Putting Mastery Guide
Master the most important aspect of golf scoring - putting accounts for 40% of all strokes
Putting Fundamentals
Setup and Stance
Posture Elements
- • Eyes directly over or slightly inside ball
- • Shoulders square to target line
- • Weight evenly distributed or slightly left
- • Arms hanging naturally from shoulders
- • Comfortable knee flex and spine angle
Grip Variations
- • Conventional overlap grip
- • Reverse overlap for stability
- • Cross-handed (left-hand low)
- • Claw grip for reduced wrist action
- • Split-hand or pencil grip variations
Stroke Mechanics
Pendulum Motion
- • Shoulders control the motion
- • Minimal wrist and hand action
- • Equal backswing and follow-through
- • Consistent tempo and rhythm
- • Smooth acceleration through impact
Impact Position
- • Ball contacted at low point of arc
- • Putter face square at impact
- • Hands ahead of ball at contact
- • Clean roll without skipping
- • Consistent strike quality
Green Reading Mastery
Slope Analysis
- • Overall green tilt direction
- • Subtle breaks and tiers
- • Water drainage patterns
- • High and low points identification
- • Compound slopes recognition
- • Fall line determination
Speed Factors
- • Grain direction effects
- • Firmness and moisture levels
- • Stimpmeter readings
- • Time of day considerations
- • Weather impact on speed
- • Uphill vs. downhill adjustments
Reading Techniques
- • Walk around the hole perspective
- • Plumb-bob method (controversial)
- • Feel with feet on slope
- • Observe other players' putts
- • Use practice green as reference
- • Trust first instinct
The AimPoint Method
Feel-Based Reading
- • Stand at midpoint of putt
- • Feel slope with feet
- • Determine percentage of slope
- • Use fingers to calculate aim point
- • Factor in distance and speed
Finger Chart System
- • 1% slope = 1 finger width
- • 2% slope = 2 finger widths
- • Adjust for distance from hole
- • Account for green speed
- • Practice to develop feel
Distance Control & Speed
Speed Control Fundamentals
The 17-Inch Rule
Optimal speed has the ball dying 17 inches past the hole if it misses
- • Maximizes capture speed of hole
- • Reduces effect of small imperfections
- • Allows for slight misreads
- • Creates consistent return putt length
Tempo Training
- • Metronome practice for consistency
- • Count rhythm in your head
- • Practice different length putts
- • Maintain same tempo regardless of distance
- • Develop personal rhythm patterns
Practice Drills
Ladder Drill
- • Putt to 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 feet
- • Try to stop each putt within 3 feet
- • Develops feel for different distances
- • Builds confidence in lag putting
Clock Drill
- • Place balls at 3, 6, 9, 12 o'clock
- • Start at 3 feet, work outward
- • Practice different break directions
- • Focus on starting line and speed
Gate Drill
- • Set up tees 1.5 putter widths apart
- • Practice rolling ball through gate
- • Improves aim and start line
- • Builds confidence in stroke path
Putting Mental Game
Pre-Putt Routine
- • Consistent routine development
- • Green reading process
- • Practice stroke repetitions
- • Visualization of ball path
- • Deep breath and commitment
- • Positive self-talk
Pressure Management
- • Focus on process over outcome
- • Accept that misses will happen
- • Trust your read and stroke
- • Manage expectation levels
- • Learn from each putt
- • Stay present in the moment
Confidence Building
- • Start practice with short putts
- • Celebrate successful reads
- • Build on positive momentum
- • Focus on good strokes made
- • Develop putting mantras
- • Track improvement statistics
Putting Equipment & Technology
Putter Selection
Putter Types
- • Blade putters for feel and feedback
- • Mallet putters for stability
- • Center-shafted vs. heel-shafted
- • Insert vs. metal face options
- • High MOI putters for forgiveness
Fitting Considerations
- • Length appropriate for posture
- • Lie angle for setup comfort
- • Grip size and texture preference
- • Weight and balance point
- • Alignment aid visibility
Training Technology
Analysis Tools
- • Putting stroke analysis systems
- • Green reading apps and tools
- • Speed measurement devices
- • Video analysis for stroke
- • Pressure mat feedback systems
Practice Aids
- • Putting mirrors for alignment
- • String lines for path training
- • Impact tape for strike quality
- • Distance control training aids
- • Putting mats for home practice
Putting Statistics & Improvement Tracking
1.8
Tour Average Putts per Round
95%
3-Foot Make Percentage (Tour)
50%
8-Foot Make Percentage (Tour)
6'
Average First Putt Distance Left
Key Metrics to Track
- • Total putts per round
- • Putts per green in regulation
- • Make percentages by distance
- • Three-putt avoidance rate
- • Average distance of first putt
- • Strokes gained putting
Improvement Goals
- • Reduce three-putts to under 1 per round
- • Make 90%+ of putts inside 4 feet
- • Average under 36 putts per round
- • Improve lag putting to 3-foot circle
- • Increase one-putt percentage
- • Build confidence in pressure situations