You can make a perfect stroke and still miss if the putter face isn't aimed where you think. Studies of amateur golfers have found that many misaim putts consistently, often by more than enough to miss from just a few feet, without realising it. Better aim is one of the simplest ways to hole more putts. Here's how to check and improve it.
Why golfers misaim
- Eye position: eyes outside or inside the ball line can make the target look to the side.
- Body alignment: setting up with the shoulders open or closed and then matching the face to the body.
- Putter design: some head shapes and lines suit some golfers' eyes better than others.
- Habits: compensating for a stroke flaw by aiming off without realising.
Aim the face first
- Stand behind the ball and pick your line.
- Choose an intermediate target a few inches in front of the ball on that line, such as a mark or blade of grass.
- Set the putter face square to the intermediate target.
- Set your feet and body parallel to the face line.
- Look at the hole and back, without moving the putter.
Read golf alignment: how to aim.
Eye position
Most coaches suggest your eyes should be directly over the ball or slightly inside it (closer to your feet). To check:
- Set up to a ball, then drop a second ball from the bridge of your nose.
- Where it lands shows your eye position.
Eyes outside the ball line tend to make golfers aim right (for right-handers); eyes too far inside may cause aiming left.
Using a line on the ball
Many golfers draw a line on the ball and point it down their target line, then match the putter's alignment line to it. This works well for some golfers and distracts others. Test it on the practice green. Read golf ball alignment line.
Alignment aids for practice
- Mirrors show eye position, shoulder alignment and face aim.
- Laser aids that clip onto the putter show where the face is pointing.
- Chalk lines or string lines show the true target line.
- Gates: two tees just wider than the ball, a foot in front of it.
Read putting training aids.
Putter design and aim
- Alignment lines: single lines, double lines or dots on the top of the putter.
- Head shape: some golfers aim better with blades, others with mallets.
- Loft and lie: an incorrect lie angle can tilt the face and change aim.
- Length: a putter that's too long or short can change your posture and eye position.
Read how to choose a putter.
Drills to improve aim
Six-foot laser test
Using a laser aid, set up to a hole six feet away and see where the laser points. Repeat ten times and note your tendency.
Line drill
Snap a chalk line on the practice green and putt along it, checking that the putter face stays square.
Coin target
Place a coin a few inches in front of the ball on your line and putt over it.
Read putting drills to stop three-putting.
Aim and routine
Make aiming part of a consistent routine, so it happens the same way on every putt. Read putting routine.
Frequently asked questions
How far off do golfers usually aim?
It varies, but small errors of a degree or two are common and can cause misses from even short distances.
Should my eyes be directly over the ball?
Over or just inside works for most golfers. Check with the ball-drop test.
Does a putter's alignment line really help?
For many golfers, yes, but it depends on what your eyes find easiest to aim.
The bottom line
Aim the face first, check your eye position and use aids in practice to find your tendencies. A putter that suits your eye and a consistent routine make good aim automatic. For the rest of the stroke, read how to putt: fundamentals.