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The Putting Stroke: Common Putting Myths Debunked

By Allen Pedersen

Putting is often called the “game within the game” of golf. It’s a crucial skill that can make or break a round, yet it’s also one of the most misunderstood aspects of the sport. For the average golfer, separating fact from fiction when it comes to the putting stroke can be challenging. This comprehensive guide aims to dispel myths, provide evidence-based insights, and offer practical advice to help golfers of all levels improve their putting performance.

Read time 8 minutes.

The Importance of Putting

Before delving into the mechanics of the putting stroke, it’s essential to understand just how critical putting is to a golfer’s overall score. Statistics from the PGA Tour show that putting accounts for approximately 40% of all strokes in a round of golf. For amateur golfers, this percentage is often even higher. Improving your putting can have a significant impact on your overall game, potentially shaving several strokes off your score.

The Basics of a Good Putting Stroke

  • Alignment

Fact: Proper alignment is crucial for consistent putting.
Fiction: You should always aim directly at the hole.

The reality is that most putts require you to aim slightly left or right of the hole to account for the break of the green. Use alignment aids on your putter or place a line on your ball to help ensure you’re aimed correctly. Practice your alignment regularly, as it’s one of the most important aspects of putting.

  • Stance and Posture

Fact: A stable, balanced stance promotes a consistent stroke.
Fiction: There’s one “correct” putting stance that works for everyone.

While there are general guidelines for a good putting stance (feet shoulder-width apart, slight knee flex, eyes over the ball), the most important factor is comfort and repeatability. Experiment to find a stance that allows you to make a consistent, pendulum-like motion.

Golf Putter: SG-M Putter from Senior Golf USA
  1. Grip

Fact: A relaxed grip promotes better feel and control.
Fiction: There’s one “best” putting grip for all golfers.

Popular grips include the conventional, cross-handed, and claw grips. The key is to find a grip that allows you to keep your hands quiet during the stroke and promotes a pendulum motion. Experiment with different grips to see what feels most natural and produces the best results.

  • Stroke Path

Fact: A slightly arced putting stroke is natural for most golfers.
Fiction: The putter must move straight back and straight through.

Research using 3D motion capture technology has shown that even the best putters in the world have a slight arc to their stroke. The key is to minimize face rotation through impact, which is more important than having a perfectly straight path.

  • Impact

Fact: Hitting the ball on the sweet spot of the putter face is crucial for distance control.
Fiction: You need to “hit up” on the ball to create topspin.

Focus on making solid contact with the ball, striking it on the center of the putter face. The loft of the putter will naturally get the ball rolling quickly; you don’t need to try to create topspin artificially.

Common Putting Myths Debunked

Myth 1: “Keep your head down”
Reality: While it’s important to maintain a stable head position, rigidly keeping your head down can lead to tension and restricted motion. Instead, focus on keeping your head steady until after impact, then allow it to turn naturally as you follow through.

Myth 2: “Accelerate through the ball”
Reality: A smooth, pendulum-like motion is more effective than trying to accelerate through impact. Studies have shown that the best putters maintain a consistent tempo throughout their stroke.

Myth 3: “Longer putts require a longer backswing”
Reality: For most golfers, it’s more effective to maintain a consistent-length stroke and vary the speed of the stroke for different distances. This promotes better consistency and feel.

Myth 4: “Practice makes perfect”
Reality: While practice is essential, it’s quality over quantity that matters most. Focused, deliberate practice with specific goals and feedback is far more effective than mindlessly hitting hundreds of putts.

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The Role of Technology in Putting

In recent years, technology has played an increasingly important role in helping golfers understand and improve their putting strokes. Here are some ways technology is being used:

  1. Putting Analysis Systems: Tools like SAM PuttLab use ultrasound to measure various aspects of the putting stroke, providing detailed data on factors like face angle, path, impact spot, and tempo.
  2. Pressure Mats: These devices measure weight distribution during the stroke, helping golfers understand and improve their balance and stability.
  3. High-Speed Cameras: Slow-motion video analysis can reveal subtle flaws in technique that are difficult to see with the naked eye.
  4. Launch Monitors: While primarily used for full swings, some launch monitors can provide data on putter face angle, path, and ball roll for putts.

5. Golf Club Impact Spray

Knowing where you hit the club face is so important, its the key to long and straight golf shots!

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While these technologies can provide valuable insights, it’s important to remember that feel and intuition still play a crucial role in putting. Use technology as a tool for improvement, not a crutch.

Mental Aspects of Putting

The mental game is perhaps even more important in putting than in any other aspect of golf. Here are some key psychological factors to consider:

  1. Confidence: Belief in your ability to make putts is crucial. Visualize the ball going in the hole before each putt.
  2. Routine: Develop a consistent pre-putt routine to help you focus and replicate successful putts.
  3. Pressure Management: Learn techniques to stay calm under pressure, such as deep breathing or positive self-talk.
  4. Acceptance: Accept that you won’t make every putt. Focus on the process rather than the outcome.
  5. Reading Greens: Develop your ability to read greens by paying attention to slopes, grain, and speed. This is as much an art as it is a science.

Practical Drills for Improvement

  1. Gate Drill: Set up two tees slightly wider than your putter head a few feet in front of you. Practice hitting putts through the “gate” to improve your accuracy and alignment.
  2. Clock Drill: Place balls in a circle around the hole at various distances. Putt from each position, focusing on distance control.
  3. Ladder Drill: Place balls at increasing distances from the hole (e.g., 3 feet, 6 feet, 9 feet). Putt from each distance, trying to get each putt closer than the previous one.
  4. One-Handed Putting: Practice putting with your dominant hand only to improve your feel and promote a pendulum-like motion.
  5. Eyes-Closed Putting: After setting up to a putt, close your eyes and make your stroke. This helps develop feel and consistency in your stroke.

Equipment Considerations

While technique is paramount, having the right equipment can certainly help your putting:

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  1. Putter Length: Ensure your putter is the correct length. A putter that’s too long or short can lead to poor posture and inconsistent results.
  2. Putter Style: Experiment with different putter head styles (blade, mallet, etc.) to find what suits your eye and stroke type.
  3. Putter Weight: The weight of the putter can affect your stroke. Heavier putters can promote a smoother stroke, while lighter putters may offer more feel.
  4. Grip Size: The thickness of your putter grip can influence your hand action during the stroke. Experiment with different sizes to find what feels most comfortable and promotes a stable stroke.
  5. Ball Choice: Different golf balls can have varying feels off the putter face. Find a ball that gives you confidence on the greens.

Conclusion

Improving your putting stroke is a journey that requires patience, practice, and a willingness to separate fact from fiction. By focusing on the fundamentals of alignment, stance, grip, and stroke path, and by understanding the realities of what makes a good putting stroke, the average golfer can make significant improvements on the greens.

Remember that while there are general principles that apply to good putting, there’s also room for individual style and preference. What works for a professional golfer may not be the best approach for an amateur. The key is to find a method that you can repeat consistently and that gives you confidence on the greens.

Ultimately, becoming a better putter involves a combination of physical technique, mental approach, and practical experience. By debunking common myths, embracing evidence-based practices, and committing to focused practice, you can transform your putting and take strokes off your score.

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a aspiring competitive golfer, remember that every great round of golf is built on a foundation of solid putting. So the next time you hit the practice green, do so with a clear understanding of the facts about putting, and watch your confidence – and your scores – improve.

Allen is a seasoned golfer who has been playing the sport for over 50 years, mostly in the Northwest, and now calls Idaho home. Throughout his life, he has actively participated in various sports, including snowboarding and windsurfing in the Columbia Gorge. Allen passionately believes that “Golf is Life” and is dedicated to helping fellow senior golfers make the most of their senior years.

Allen Pedersen

Golf Putter: SG-M Putter from Senior Golf USA
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