Putting Stroke

Every golfer recognises the importance of a consistent and reliable putting stroke. It can make or break your game. You may be the longest driver, the most accurate pitcher or the best bunker player, but if your putting stroke is letting you down then all that effort getting to the green will count for nothing. You must master this part of your game if you want to lower your score and this article brings you five tips to help you along the way.

1)  You need to keep the pressure from your hands light and even throughout the swing. Don’t hold the club too tight or the grip pressure will change during the putting stroke. This will cause the clubface to be out of square with the target and the ball will go in the wrong direction.

2)  Keep your weight evenly on both feet. If your weight is either back on your heels or forward on your toes there is a danger that your putting stroke will follow the direction of your weight.

3)  Use a pendulum motion in your putting stroke. By that I mean moving only your arms and shoulders together when striking the ball. Always keep your hands, legs, head and torso still

4)  Before executing your putting stroke, have a couple of practice strokes to get your “muscle memory” working. But don’t wait too long between your last practice stroke and your actual putting stroke or the “muscle memory” will fade away. Don’t wait more than seven or eight seconds so that you take a smooth and fluid putting stroke.

5)  Always try to hit the ball with the clubhead accelerating at impact. If the clubhead is losing speed as it approaches the ball then it’s hard to hit the ball solidly.

Of course there are many more tips and strategies to developing a reliable putting stroke, but using the above methods will help you increase in the number of putts you start sinking. But the key to becoming a consistent putter is practice, practice, practice. So put as much emphasis on practicing your putting stroke as on other parts of your game and start lowering your scores drastically.