Should you putt straight back straight through?

One of the most common myths relates to putting: the putter should move straight back and straight through, like a pendulum. If you're putting that way, it's so much more difficult to maintain a consistent putting stroke.

How far should you bring your putter back?

Put one in the ground at the ball, one about 8 inches behind and one about 8 inches ahead. Try to swing your putter with an even rhythm, not going back past the back tee and not going through beyond the front tee.

What is the proper body stance when putting?

The width of your stance should be roughly hip-width with the feet pointing forward (not splayed out). The golf ball should be positioned slightly ahead of the centre of your stance – similar to the position you'd address it with a 6-iron.

What putter is best for straight back and through stroke?

Face-balanced putters are best for players with a straight-back-straight-through putting stroke, or little to no arc. Face-balanced mallets and blade/Anser style putters have most of the weight in the face and no toe-hang, which keep the putter square throughout the stroke and naturally aid this type of stroke.

Should hands be forward when putting?

It is a good idea to set your hands in front of the ball because such a position will usually lead to a clean roll. If your hands are farther back, you can actually hit a mini-chip shot which bounces along the green before it starts to roll.

Should your eyes be over the ball when putting?

When you turn your head to look at the hole, it will appear left of its actual position, which can result in a pull for right-handed players. Instead, you should keep your eyes over a spot just inside the ball, a few inches toward your feet.

Can you putt with an open stance?

The open stance makes it easier to feel the left hand going out and down the target line. The forward lean offsets the 4 degrees of loft I recommend for a putter and helps the ball roll smoothly. When you make the stroke, keep the putterhead low to the ground past impact, like Ron is demonstrating (inset).

Should putter be flat on ground?

Perfect Fit

You know your putter fits you when the sole of the club lies flat on the ground when your eyes are over the ball at setup. You're ready to roll the ball off the sweet spot— just as the putter was designed!

How far off ground should putter be?

The standard face height of putters is one inch and this puts the sweetspot vertically at a height of half an inch. A golf ball is 1.680 inches in diameter with its equator at a height around 0.84 inches. If you place your putter against the ball, the sweetspot of your putter will be lower than the equator of the ball.

How far past the hole should you putt?

Putts left short never go in.

When you miss, your putts should end up 17 inches past the hole. If you roll them faster, you'll suffer more lip-outs. Roll them slower and the ball will be knocked off line by imperfections (footprints, pitch marks, etc.)

How do you get a smooth putting stroke?

Resting the putter on the ground allows you to secure its position behind the ball, and hovering can hinder that. So as a compromise, try bouncing the putter lightly a couple of times behind the ball before taking it back. This gets some movement into the putter which will add a flowing motion to the putting stroke.

What is an arched putting stroke?

The arc putting stroke: The theory of an arc stroke is to allow golfers to naturally match the motions of their full swing with their putting stroke. Instructors who espouse the arc stroke believe that the inclined nature of the putter shaft, by design, necessitates the inside-square-inside movement of the putter head.

Should you choke down on a putter?

The longer the putting stroke, on the short putts, the more chance there is for a deceleration into the ball and the putter face getting offline. Choking down on the putter will allow you much more solid struck putts when attempting those important winning putts.

Does Sergio Garcia putt with his eyes closed?

Sergio Garcia has used a technique of putting with his eyes closed during his career. He discusses the method and why it's worked for him in the past.

Where should your eyes be in putting mirror?

Ideally, you would like your dominate eye over the top of the ball. If you are right eye dominate, then your left eye would be slightly in front of the ball and out of the mirror.

What hand is dominant in putting?

If you putt right-handed, your right hand will be more dominant. It will also be the one that can cause you the most problems in your stroke. Problems arise when you start to use it to guide or power your putting stroke. It should help and support your left – it should never control it.

How do I aim better when putting?

Always aim your club face at your target, with the sole of the putter head aligned behind the golf ball. With your eyes positioned over the ball, peering down the target line, shift focus on your putting posture. Your shoulders, knees, hips, and feet must all parallel the intended target line.

Why do pro golfers take their glove off to putt?

Golfers take off their gloves to putt to improve the feel of their club. A glove increases your grip on the club, but not when putting and if your glove is hot and sweaty from playing, this can cause your putter to slip out of your hands, and it's more comfortable putting gloveless.

How does toe hang affect putting?

As Rife explains, toe hang putters have more head weight on the toe side. During the putting stroke, that toe-heavy weight distribution causes the putter head to open on the backstroke. As you change direction to make the forward stroke, the putter head continues to lag, causing the putter head to remain open.

Is a mallet putter more forgiving?

Mallet putters are said to be a bit more forgiving because of their size, and the blades are going to give some extra help when it comes to feel and control on the greens. Depending on your putting stroke, one of these two putters may be better for you than another.