Why do my putts miss left?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 07, 2026
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.
How do you stop putts going left?
Keep your head still and the eyes down through the swing until the putter comes to a stop. Avoid looking up immediately after hitting the ball because this can make you move your head sooner and hence pulling the shot. For right-handed golfers, excessive movement of the right hand can be the cause of pulling shots.
Why do I miss putts?
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 is my putting so inconsistent?
One feature of inconsistent putting strokes is too much shoulder-and-arm action. When you pull your arms back and then push them toward the hole to make a stroke, you're essentially swinging the wrong end of the club and relying on a fundamentally inconsistent power source.
Should your elbows touch your body when putting?
Interlace your fingers, clasping your hands in front of you. Then, get into your putting posture, and place your hands over your belly button, your elbows bent outward at 45 degrees. Keeping your lower body quiet, engage your core muscles and use them to rock your arms and shoulders back and forth.
42 related questions foundShould you putt with arms or shoulders?
The best (and fastest) way to do that is to drive your putting stroke not with your arms and hands, but with your shoulders moving up and down as you swing the putter back and through on the correct path.
Why do I miss very short putts?
Deceleration – short, firm stroke: If you tend to pull short putts, you're not accelerating into and through the ball. Here's a great drill to hone a firm, positive stroke. Too wristy – flat left hand: Another common cause of pulls is allowing the right hand to overtake the left during the stroke.
Why do I always leave my putts short?
One of the biggest reasons for a player “coming up short” especially on longer putts is because the strike has occurred too low on the putter face. This type of contact transfers less energy to the golf ball than if it was struck out of the 'sweet spot' or centre of the face.
Why do I push and pull my 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.
Why are left to right putts harder?
First, they typically don't aim far enough outside the hole on breaking putts, but on these in particular, they subconsciously adjust their body lines to the right as they look at the hole. Second, it's harder to release the putter on left-to-righters, because the tendency is to shove the ball to the hole.
Why is putt left hand low?
The left-hand low putting grip helps take the hands and wrists out of the putting stroke. This forces the bigger muscles like the hips, shoulders, and arms to control the entire stroke. When this happens, the golfer will notice that their putting technique is more reliable and consistent.
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 you stop short putts?
Beyond practicing the technique of your stroke, another way you can fix the problem of leaving putts short is through a simple speed drill. By working on the ability to get the ball past the hole on the putting green, you should be much more comfortable with giving it enough speed on the course.
How do I make my putt not short?
First, place one ball about 10-feet away from the hole. Then, set the two other balls about a foot in front and behind the first ball, but not directly in the same line as the first ball. Use those balls as a guide for how far back and forward you need to take your putter.
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.
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 you make a short putt every time?
Making short putts is one of the most effective ways of lowering your scores.
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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.
Should you break your wrists when putting?
There is an exception to not breaking your wrists. In a long putt you may need to break them in order to generate enough power to get your ball to the hole. However, in long (lag) putting it is the correct distance rather than pin-point accuracy that you are seeking.
How should your arms hang when putting?
SETUP. Let your arms hang softly from your shoulders, and grip the club so that the shaft sits 90 degrees to the ground. Check your hands — you should notice a small “cup” in the back of each wrist.
What do you think about when putting?
As you stand over the ball preparing to hit a put, think about your grip pressure first and foremost. If you are able to maintain a light grip pressure on the handle of the putter throughout your stroke, all of the mechanics you need to hit good putts will likely fall into place.
Should your arms be straight when putting?
Make sure that as you tilt forward that you do not straighten your arms out - be sure to maintain the flex in the arms that you established during the set-up drill. If your putter does not reach the ground you can flex your kness a little or your club is too short for you.
Should your arms be bent when putting?
So when the question is what, how should my elbows bend during the putting stroke, basically they shouldn't. They should start in one position and they should stay in that same position through the whole stroke.
Should you putt with straight arms?
To make your putting stroke more consistent, I prefer straight arms with putting posture. I believe it helps you move as a one piece pendulum working your shoulders, arms and hands as a unit. I feel that bends in the elbows and wrists at address cause a player to be bendy and wristy during the stroke.
How far past the hole should it be?
Aimpoint (2013) & Pelz, (2000) identified that the optimum speed of a putt should finish 9 inches and 17 respectively, inches past the hole. However, a common distance referred to by professional golfers is 1 foot or 30 cm past (PGA Teaching Manual, 1990). See Figure 2.