If you want to improve your golf game, one of the most important things you can do is work on your putting.
Putting is all about control and finesse, and if you can master it, you’ll be able to shave strokes off your score in no time.
And in this blog post, we will discuss how to putt a golf ball like a pro.
We’ll cover everything from stance to grip to stroke so that by the end of it you’ll be sinking putts like a seasoned veteran!
Here's What We'll Cover
7 Steps To Putting The Golf Ball Like A Professional
Step 1: Approach the green and mark the ball
As you’re walking up to the green, take note of where your ball is and what the putt path will look like.
Take note of what breaks there may be, how hard you’ll have to hit it, and if there’s anything in the way of the hole.
And once you’re near your ball, you’ll want to mark it with a marker or tee.
Step 2: Read the green and line up your ball
Now that your ball is marked and you have a preliminary read on the green, you’ll want to take your time and find the right line for your putt.
There’s no need to rush this – take your time, line up the ball, and get a good look at the putt before you move any further.
Step 3: Determine how hard you’ll need to hit the ball
Now that you have a line for your shot, you’ll have to determine how hard you’ll need to hit the ball in order to make it go in the hole.
This will vary depending on a number of factors, such as how fast the green is moving, how big the putt is, and how much break there is.
But as a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to hit the ball harder on short putts and softer on long putts.
Step 4: Get in your stance and address the ball
It’s time to get in your putting stance and address the golf ball.
You should have the ball near the center of your stance, but slightly forward in your stance.
And for your stance, a lot of it is going to come down to preference but there are a few aspects I wouldn’t recommend changing.
Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, with your weight evenly distributed on both feet.
Your shoulders should be even, you don’t want to dip or raise either shoulder at all.
This offers a neutral stance so you can stroke the ball with confidence every single time!
Step 5: Grip the club in a relaxed manner
Now that you have your stance down, it’s time to take your grip on the golf club.
Your hands should be just ahead of the ball, and you’ll want to make sure that both hands are in the same position on the club.
The key is to keep your hands relaxed – don’t grip the club too tightly, as this will only lead to tension in your arms and shoulders.
Whichever grip is comfortable for you is fine, as long as you’re comfortable with it and can keep your hands relaxed.
Step 6: Take a few practice swings
You’re almost there! It’s time to take a few practice swings before finally making contact with the ball.
Take a step or two away from the ball, and use your practice strokes to get a feel for the putt!
Aim where your line is going to be, swing the speed you’ll need it to go, and act like there’s a real golf ball there.
Practice makes perfect, so make sure to take a practice stroke or two before each putt – no matter the distance!
Step 7: Trust your read, and stroke the ball
Once you have your grip down and you’ve taken your practice swings, it’s time to start stroking the golf ball.
You’ve already read the putt, so trust in the distance and line you feel is right.
If you were to try and change it now, it’ll take away your confidence and make you second-guess yourself.
It’s finally time to make contact with the ball.
This is where that pendulum motion comes in – you’ll want to use a smooth back-and-forth motion as you stroke the ball.
And once you make contact with the ball, follow through like you did with your practice swings and trust your putting stroke.
Repeat these steps for each putt and you’ll be improving in no time!
Other tips to become a better putter
Find the right putter for you
It’s important you find a putter that you feel comfortable and confident with.
There are a lot of different options out there, so go to your local golf store and try some out.
If you’re looking for a good place to start, Kirkland sells a quality putter that’s pretty affordable.
Do what’s comfortable for you
When it comes to putting, everybody goes about it a little differently.
You have to find what’s comfortable for you since putting is all about comfortability and confidence.
On the course over the years, I’ve seen…
- Righty golfers putting lefty.
- Golfers use the arm-lock putting stance (which is now banned).
- Golfers use a reverse overlap grip.
There isn’t one best way to putt the golf ball, find what works for you!
Limit your three-putts
While it may seem tempting to try and drain a long putt to impress your friends, you should always make sure you’re putting yourself in a position to two-putt.
Three putts will destroy your score, so you have to limit them when possible.
That means taking your time, reading the green correctly, and making a conservative stroke if that’s the better option.
Look at the cup while swinging
On short putts, under 3 or 4 feet, some golfers will look at the hole while they’re swinging instead of the ball.
While I don’t personally do this, it may help you drain those short putts if you’ve been struggling with them.
One of the best putters in the world, Jordan Spieth, does it on the PGA Tour:
Utilize the practice green
Before heading out to play a round, getting some strokes in on the practice green is a good idea.
It’ll help you feel the putter better, understand the conditions of the greens on the course, and give you more confidence when heading out to play.
My favorite drill for the practice green is as follows:
First, I’ll put 5 balls around one of the practice holes, 3 feet out, and continue until I make all of them in a row.
After that, I’ll put 5 balls around one of the holes, 6 feet out, and do it again.
Lastly, I’ll repeat the drill from 9 feet out until I make them all/
It’s a simple, efficient drill that helps you get a feel for the green before your round!
Final thoughts
After reading this post, you should feel confident in your ability to putt the golf ball like a pro.
There are many different tips and tricks that we’ve discussed, so find what works best for you and stick with it!
Practice makes perfect, so get out on the green and start sinking some putts!
