Putting is key in golf but failing to get the ball close to the hole every time you reach the green is not a disaster. Being able to make a putt from anywhere on the green and leave yourself a tap-in for your second putt at the worst is the sign of a good, consistent putter.
There are several mistakes which can lead to more than two putts on the green and becoming aware of these can help your putting.
Alignment is key when putting and if your alignment if off, you will find it very tough to make a putt. If you find the line of your putting is inconsistent, sometimes off to the left and sometimes to the right, this could be an alignment issue.
Try picking a spot in-front of the ball, roughly around 5 inches away, which you need to roll the ball over to get it on the correct line. This will give you a much closer target to aim for and should make finding the right putting line easier.
Not having a putting ritual can lead to inconsistency on the green. Many of the top players go through the same process before every putt and it enables them to feel comfortable and confident about making the putt.
Think about recent putts you have made and what you did in the build up to playing each shot. You could incorporate these things into your putting routine.
One of the biggest mistakes a beginner golfer makes is gripping hold of the putter too tightly. When gripping the putter tightly, the hands become too active in the shot and this could lead to opening or closing the face of the putter.
A soft, yet constant grip pressure is key to a good putt and will help to create a smooth, flowing stroke. This will also help in getting a good feel for the putt, which is lost when the putter is gripped too tightly.
Finally, perhaps one of the most common mistakes seen on the putting green from beginners is deceleration of the putter head.
You want to maintain a constant tempo when putting but the putter should be slightly accelerating when contacting the ball, not decelerating. The putter should be picking up speed as it contacts the back of the ball.
The reason for decelerating the putter close to impact with the ball could be a mental issue more than anything else. Fear of seeing the ball race by the hole or the feeling of just wanting to tap the ball into the hole, rather than send it into the hole, are two reasons why the putter head slows down upon impact.
Think about playing the stroke with authority instead of trying to tease the ball into the hole.
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