Why do I miss so many short putts?
Daniel Moore
Published Jan 14, 2026
Follow through the ball, forcing yourself to not decelerate as you impact the ball. So many short putts are missed because they were hit too soft, breaking just before the cup to the left or right. Hitting a short putt with confidence and normal putting stroke will increase your make percent at an alarming rate.
Why do I keep missing short putts?
Overactive hands
You should be able to hit putts straight with one hand; overactive hands can twist the face and cause short putts to miss their intended starting line. Once you practice starting your putts on line with one hand, you can move to your regular grip.
Why do I push short putts?
Pushing Putts is a common flaw for many golfers. A push will most likely happen when a golfer has a shorter putt from inside ten feet. The push for a right handed golfer is when the putter face at impact is open to the target line either from an incorrect swing path or there was too much hands and wrists in the stroke.
Is it better to miss putts long or short?
Going long is better than putting short as there is always a possibility that you may hole the putt. However, if your ball is travelling too fast, there won't be enough time for the hole to capture the ball.
How do I stop pushing short putts?
YES! Keep your left upper arm tucked against your torso. Idiosyncrasies aside, most great putters share this trait: They address the ball with their forearms forming a straight line with the puttershaft—no kinks, bends or angles.
32 related questions foundHow can I improve my short putting?
Practice the right things, and you, too, can improve your short putting.
...
10 tips to help golfers make all their short putts
- Aim the putterface well. ...
- Get a grip. ...
- Good posture. ...
- Stroke, and then look. ...
- Your stroke is circular. ...
- Limit your backstroke. ...
- Minimize moving parts. ...
- Read every putt.
Why do I miss my putts to the right?
If you miss right, its a path problem. The two most common causes of pushed putts, both with obvious cures: Standing too far from the ball: Very simply, you'll take the putter back too far inside the target line and return it on the same path, with the putter head moving out (right of the hole) toward the ball.
Why do I miss most of my putts to the left?
Missing putts left most likely means you're lined up in that direction. If not, the next step is to check your setup positions. If all systems are go there, you've got stroke issues.
Where should the ball be when putting?
Your ball should be positioned just forward of the middle of your stance. Determining how close the ball should be to your body is a bit more complicated. It is generally agreed that you should set your putting posture so that your eyes are positioned directly above or just slightly inside of the ball.
Why do I miss so many 3 foot putts?
So many short putts are missed because they were hit too soft, breaking just before the cup to the left or right. Hitting a short putt with confidence and normal putting stroke will increase your make percent at an alarming rate.
How hard should you hit short putts?
Soft is good, but has a surprising catch…
It's proven physics that hitting putts softer — so they barely trickle into the hole — is your surest bet of making the hole as big as possible. That has the added bonus of meaning you have more room for error in your putting stroke.
How do I regain confidence?
Here are a few ways to quickly regain your confidence on the greens:
- Stay still. One of the most common causes of putting woes is too much movement, whether in your knees or torso and head. ...
- Putt with your feet together. ...
- Walk your line to stealthily pace your putt. ...
- Make a change! ...
- Invest in a green-reading tool.
How do you put two putts up all the time?
Use These Five Keys to Successfully Two Putt Any Green
- #1 – Read the Speed First. ...
- #2 – Practice Your Three Footers. ...
- #3 – Keep Your Head Still. ...
- #4 – Be Patient. ...
- #5 – Be Smart with Your Approach Shots.
What is the best putting technique?
Dave Stockton's all time top ten putting tips
- Consider groove technology. ...
- Develop a forward press. ...
- The left hand/right hand roles. ...
- Reading the putt. ...
- The 'one-inch' marker. ...
- Beware of practice swings. ...
- Ignore the line on the golf ball. ...
- Nurture a natural movement.
Can you use your putter to line up your putt?
Gently rest the putter head on the putting green directly behind the golf ball. With a light grip pressure and relaxed body use your right hand (for right hand golfers) to point the Directional Pointer along the intended putting line.
How do I stop three putting?
5 quick tips to avoid the dreaded 3-putt to start lowering your scores now
- Good technique — posture and path. It always seems to start with good technique when it comes to golf. ...
- One method to control distance. Stroke size is the most effective way to control distance. ...
- Calibrate your putting stroke. ...
- Be a good green reader.
How tight should you hold putter?
Your hold on your putter should be gentle rather than firm, gentle enough to retain your feel while still retaining control of your putter. The analogy often given is that of squeezing an open tube of toothpaste without causing any toothpaste to come out of the tube.
Should your putter touch the ground?
You'll want to keep your putter perpendicular to the ground. 2. Once you're steady over the ball, make your stroke—strike the ball squarely on its equator without hitting any of the quarters.
What does putting the ball back in your stance do?
Control Trajectory. The most-common reason to play the ball back in your stance is to control the trajectory of your shot. In other words, when you want to keep the ball down closer to the ground as it flies, you are going to move it back in your stance.
How far should your feet be apart in golf?
Your feet need to be shoulder width apart, with the weight on the balls of the feet. This will help provide good stability. Stand too narrow and you'll fall over - or subconsciously swing less to stay balanced. Stand too wide, and your body won't be as free to strike the ball powerfully.
Where should a 3 wood be in your stance?
Check Your Ball Position
The ideal 3 wood ball position is to have it directly below the logo of your shirt. This ball should be in the front-center of your stance, approximately one to two inches behind where you place your driver.