How to Putt - Basic Fundamentals
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Step by Step Lessons on How to Putt covering Grip, Setup and Putting Stroke
Learning how to putt to begins with learning the proper putting fundamentals that well have you developing a consistent and accurate putting stoke.
A putting stroke that you can bring to the green with a high level of self confidence which is absolutely critical if you wish to master the game.
Putting by some has been considered a game within the game of golf because it takes skills which are not necessarily the same as when your taking a full swing off the tee or fairway. With roughly forty percent of your strokes coming from using your putter it is extremely important that you devote the time and practice to your putting game if you wish to score well.
This is also an area where the average golfer does not spend nearly enough of his practice time on.
All successful professional golfers will spend and enormous amount of time on their putting game because they realize the importance it has on winning tournaments.
When it comes to putting professional golfers do have various approaches, especially when it comes to the grip, however there are some fundamentals that are universally consistent among all great golfers. These basics that are fundamentally sound and consistently used by most professional golfers are ones that we will cover in the lessons to follow.
In the how to putt lessons to follow we are going to cover grip, setup, posture, eye alignment and basic elements to a proper putting stroke. For a beginner these are great lessons to learn one at a time in the order they are present and are also an excellent refresher course for advance players to periodically review the basics.
How to Putt Lesson One - Starting with the Proper Grip
The Reverse Overlap Putting Grip
Learning how to putt starts with a grip that is both fundamentally sound and one that is comfortable for you.This is one area in golf that there are more than one type of grip used by professional golfers. But by far the one that is most used by professional golfers, including Tiger Woods, is the Reverse Overlap Grip. This is the grip style I would recommend to any new golfer because it is the most fundamentally sound and therefore the one we will cover here.
How to form the Reverse Overlap Grip:
(1) Begin by putting both of your hands on the club handle so that they are facing each other.
(2) Now slide your right hand down the shaft about two inches and have the club fit under the back pad of your left hand.
(3) Each of your palms will be facing each other the back of your hands will be parallel to each other.
(4) Have your right thumb point down the handle so it is just below the index finger on your right hand.
(5) Your left thumb will then fit under the palm of your right hand.
(6) Now most importantly have your left middle finger overlap the little finger of your right hand. As you can see now where the name "reverse overlap grip" comes from. This is actually opposite of how these fingers are positioned in the grip used for your normal swing.
(7) Finally comes the position of your left index finger. You can rest it around the little finger of your right hand, on the top of your right ring finger or lay it along the top ends of your right hand fingers. I suggest experimenting with all three options but recommend the third choice of laying it across the fingers of your right hand. I find that this option helps the most in keeping the wrists from flexing during the putting stroke.
The benefit of the reverse overlap grip is that it forms a solid unity with your hands and encourages them to work as one complete unit. In addition it also keeps either of your hands from becoming to dominating during your putting stroke.
In terms of grip pressure the lighter you can grip the club is better. This helps to reduce any tension and gives you a better feel of the club face. Try and hold the club with only enough pressure so your still able to maintain control. For example on a scale of one to ten this would be about a three and half to four.
Go ahead and experiment with different pressure levels but once you decide on one that works best for you maintain that through out your stroke. It is very important to have a constant grip pressure during your entire putting stroke.
Now for our next how to putt lesson we will go over setup, posture and eye alignment.
How to Putt Lesson Two - Setup and Posture
The Key to Accurate Putting
Professional golfers all have slight variations in their stance but there are some key fundamentals that they all incorporate into their game. The two most important elements are to get as comfortable and relaxed as possible and position your eyes directly over the ball.
To begin with square the putter club face to the ball and target line.
Secondly, position your feet so they are also parallel to the target line.
Spread your feet so they are slightly less than the width of your shoulders and distributed your weight evenly between both feet.
Next you want to align your knees and hips so they are parallel to the ball and the target line of your putt.
Have the ball positioned slightly forward of the center of your stance.
Then bend slightly forward at the hip having your arms hang down in a comfortable manner bend your knees a little.
Finally make sure your eyes are directly over the ball and parallel to the target line. You will not be able to hit the ball square to the target line if your eyes are not positioned properly. Your putting stroke will follow the line of your eyes and shoulders.
In short, the most important things with your putting setup is that your feet, knees, hips and shoulders are parallel to the target line and that your eyes are directly over the ball.
Our next learning How to Putt lessons we will be developing the basics to good putting stroke.
Putting Eye Alignment Golf Video
World renown golf instructor and golf coach for PGA TOUR stars, Butch Harmon, presents a golf tip that helps you set up the alignment of your eyes in your putting set up.
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How to Putt Lesson Three - Putting Stroke Basics
Fundamentals to a Solid Putting Stroke
Learning how to putt successfully also involves developing a solid and fundamentally sound putting stroke. Basically this is where the lower body stays stable and the upper body forms a triangular shape and rotates in a pendulum manner while the head stays stationary and the eyes maintain a fixed position over the ball.
Your entire swing should maintain an even tempo with a sense of rhythm. The goal is to return the putter club head back to a square position at impact while applying top spin on the ball towards the hole.
To begin with imagine your shoulders and arms forming a triangle. While slightly bending over the ball your upper body will rotate like the pendulum movement of a grandfather clock.
Your head and lower body will remain stationary and you do want any wrist action. The shoulders, arms and putter will act as one complete unit during your stoke.
The next critical aspect of a proper putting stroke is that you control distance by varying the length of your putting stroke. A good rule of thumb is to have your backstroke length the same or slightly less than your forward stroke length.
You do not want to control how much power you apply to the ball with your hands or wrists. But what you do want to do is develop a smooth stroke that maintains a even flowing pace that gently accelerates through impact.
A longer backstroke and follow through stroke for long putts and a shorter overall stroke length for short putts. The entire putting stroke length is controlled by the imaginary triangle formed by your upper body .
Begin your back swing by moving your putter club head back along the target line. Your left shoulder will drop while your right shoulder rises while maintaining a stable lower body and your eyes focused on the ball. You also want to maintain a fairly steady speed and a constant grip pressure.
On your downward swing you want to return the putter head back to square at impact. Your arms, shoulders and putter will all be working as one complete unit and your putter will be fairly low to the ground. Let the club head accelerate naturally through impact.
During your follow through the left wrist should be flat while your shoulders reverse their rotation. Continue keeping the putter club head along the target line. Do not look up until you have completely finished your follow through stroke. This is probably the number one problem with the average golfer. Remember to keep your eyes parallel to the target line and directly over the ball during your entire stroke.
Overall you want your upper body controlling your stroke while your lower body remains stable.
Try and develop a smooth tempo with a sense of rhythm to your stroke. Dedicate time to practice your skills and incorporate golf putting drills into your practice routine that well help strengthen your fundamentals and build confidence.
Final Words of Advice: In addition to learning the basic fundamentals of the putting stroke you will also need to learn how to Properly Read Greens if you are going to score well. Furthermore you must incorporate a Setup Routine before every putt. By following the same steps before every shot you will be more prepared and confident that you have fully analyzed each putt. Learning How to Putt does take time but with patience and also practicing good Golf Putting Drills anyone can become an excellent putter.
Golf Video on Putting Fundamentals
Learning How to Putt Basics
This video is from the Bell Bay Golf Club's Golf Academy in Baddeck, Cape Breton Island. Award winning Canadian PGA Professional Ted Stonehouse covers putting fundamentals.
Bell Bay Golf Club is one of Canada's finest golf courses open to the public for daily green fee play, Bell Bay Golf Academy open to public for golf schools and private lessons. For more information please visit us at www.bellbay.ca
Bell Bay Golf Club is one of Canada's finest golf courses open to the public for daily green fee play, Bell Bay Golf Academy open to public for golf schools and private lessons. For more information please visit us at www.bellbay.ca
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