Short putts, from about three to six feet, are where many rounds are won and lost. Professionals hole most of them; club golfers often miss one or two a round, and every miss costs a full shot. The good news is that short putts depend on a small number of fundamentals: aim, a square face at impact, the right pace and confidence. Master those and you'll stop leaking strokes on the greens.
Why short putts are missed
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Face open or closed at impact | Ball starts off line |
| Poor aim | Ball starts where you aimed, not where you intended |
| Deceleration | Ball wobbles and is pushed off line by imperfections |
| Too much break played | Ball misses on the high side |
| Moving the head or body | Inconsistent contact and start line |
| Doubt and tension | Twitchy, unsteady stroke |
Technique
Aim
- Read the putt from behind the ball. Decide whether it breaks at all, and if so, how much. Read how to read greens.
- Pick a precise target: a blade of grass, a spot on the edge or back of the cup.
- Use a line on the ball to help you aim, if it suits you. Read golf ball alignment lines.
Pace
On short putts, a firm pace is best. A ball that would roll 12 to 18 inches past the hole:
- Holds its line better through imperfections and slight slopes.
- Means you play less break.
- Removes the worry of leaving it short.
Don't overdo it on fast downhill putts: a ball hit too firmly can lip out.
Stroke
- Square face at impact: this is the most important factor on short putts.
- Smooth, accelerating stroke: a slightly longer through-stroke than backstroke helps.
- Still head and body: keep your eyes on the spot where the ball was until you hear it drop, or count to two.
- Light grip pressure: tension causes twitches. Read the putting yips.
Read how to putt: the fundamentals and putting stroke: arc vs straight back.
A routine for short putts
- Read from behind the ball.
- Choose your line and target.
- Make one or two practice strokes beside the ball, feeling the pace.
- Set the putter face square to your target, then your feet.
- One look at the hole, then stroke.
Keep it consistent and fairly quick. Read golf pre-shot routine.
Drills
Gate drill
Place two tees just wider than your putter head, a few inches in front of the ball. Putt through the gate to train a square face and a straight start line.
Around the clock
Place balls in a circle around a hole at three feet. Hole them all in a row; if you miss, start again. Move out to four and five feet. Read golf practice games.
Coin drill
Putt at a coin from short range. Hitting a target smaller than the hole makes the hole look bigger on the course.
Pressure ladder
Hole 10 in a row from three feet, then 10 from four feet. A miss sends you back to the start.
One-handed putts
Hole short putts with the lead hand only, then the trail hand only, to improve feel and face control.
Confidence on the course
- Commit to your read: indecision causes more misses than wrong reads.
- Accept misses: even the best players miss some.
- Practise short putts often, especially before a round.
- Use the flagstick if it helps you focus. Read flagstick in or out?.
Frequently asked questions
How hard should I hit a short putt?
Firm enough that it would finish about 12 to 18 inches past the hole, unless the putt is fast and downhill.
Should I aim inside the hole on short putts?
Often yes. Many short putts break so little that you can aim inside the edge and hit firmly.
Why do I miss short putts to the right?
Often an open face at impact, or decelerating. Use the gate drill and accelerate through.
What is the best way to practise short putts?
Drills that require holing several in a row, such as around the clock and the pressure ladder.
The bottom line
Short putts are about a square face, a firm pace, a precise target and a steady routine. Practise with pressure, commit to every putt and keep your head still. Holding more from three to six feet is one of the fastest ways to lower your scores. For long putts, read putting drills to stop three-putting.