Putting is the great equaliser in golf. It requires no strength, no athletic swing and no expensive equipment, yet it accounts for a huge share of every golfer's score — often 30 to 40 strokes in a round. A golfer who putts well can compete with players who hit the ball much further. A golfer who putts poorly will struggle to score no matter how well they strike it.
The good news: putting is the easiest part of golf to improve. This guide covers the fundamentals every golfer needs — grip, set-up, stroke, reading greens, controlling speed and a routine you can trust.
What makes a good putt?
Every putt has two elements:
- Line — the direction the ball starts and the path it follows.
- Speed — how hard you hit it, which determines how far it rolls and how much it breaks.
Beginners usually focus on line, but speed is more important. A putt struck at the right speed finishes close to the hole even if the line is slightly off. A putt struck too hard or too soft leaves a long second putt even if the line is perfect.
Speed and line are also linked: the slower a putt rolls, the more it curves. That is why you must decide on speed before you can choose the correct line.
The putting grip
Most golfers hold the putter differently from their other clubs. The aim is to quieten the hands and wrists so the shoulders control the stroke.
The reverse overlap (most common)
- Place both thumbs on the flat top of the putter grip, pointing straight down the shaft.
- Hold the putter more in the palms than the fingers, with both palms facing each other.
- Rest the index finger of your lead hand over the fingers of your trail hand.
Alternative grips
- Lead-hand-low (cross-handed): the lead hand is below the trail hand. It levels the shoulders and reduces wrist movement — popular with golfers who struggle with a "flippy" stroke.
- Claw grip: the trail hand holds the grip lightly between thumb and fingers, reducing its influence on the stroke.
- Arm-lock: a longer putter rests against the lead forearm, locking the wrists.
Try each and choose the one that gives you the most consistent start line. Grip pressure should be light — around 3 or 4 out of 10.
The putting set-up
Eyes over the ball
Your eyes should be directly over the ball or just inside it (closer to your feet). This helps you see the target line accurately. A simple check: set up, then drop a ball from the bridge of your nose. It should land on or just inside the ball.
Ball position
Place the ball slightly forward of centre, under your lead eye. This helps you strike the ball with a slight upward motion so it rolls smoothly rather than skidding or bouncing.
Posture
- Bend from your hips so your arms hang naturally.
- Feet about shoulder-width apart, weight balanced or slightly favouring your lead side.
- Shoulders, hips and feet parallel to the target line.
- Forearms in line with the putter shaft.
Putter fit
A putter that is too long or too short ruins your posture and eye position. If you find yourself standing very upright or hunched over, check your putter length — see custom club fitting for putter fitting advice.
The putting stroke
Rock the shoulders
The best putting strokes are powered by the shoulders, with the arms, hands and putter moving together as one unit. Imagine a pendulum: your shoulders rock, and the putter swings back and through.
Keep the wrists quiet
Avoid hinging or flicking the wrists. Wrist action makes speed and face angle inconsistent.
Match backstroke and follow-through
A good stroke has a backstroke and follow-through of roughly equal length, at a smooth, unhurried tempo. Control distance mainly by changing the length of the stroke, not by hitting harder.
Accelerate gently through the ball
Deceleration — slowing down into impact — is one of the most common putting faults. It usually comes from a backstroke that is too long, followed by a subconscious attempt to slow down. Shorten the backstroke and let the putter swing smoothly through.
Keep your head still
Keep your head and lower body still until well after impact. On short putts, try listening for the ball to drop rather than watching it.
Reading greens
Reading a green means predicting how the ball will curve (break) and how fast it will roll.
Look at the big picture first
As you walk onto the green, look at the overall slope. Where is the highest point? Where would water drain off? Greens are built to drain, and the ball will tend to roll the same way water does.
Read from behind the ball
Crouch behind the ball and look at the line to the hole. Then, if time allows, look from behind the hole or from the low side of the putt — the low side often shows slope most clearly.
Feel slopes through your feet
Walking around the putt, notice whether you are walking uphill or downhill. Your feet often detect slope your eyes miss.
Consider the grain and conditions
- On some grass types, the direction the grass grows (grain) affects speed and break.
- Wet greens are slower and break less; dry, firm greens are faster and break more.
- Uphill putts are slower and break less; downhill putts are faster and break more.
Pick an aim point
Choose the spot where the putt will start to break — the apex — and aim your putter at a point that sends the ball along that curve. Most amateurs under-read break, missing on the low side.
Controlling speed
Speed control is the single biggest skill in avoiding three-putts.
- Aim to finish long putts within a three-foot circle around the hole.
- On medium putts, aim to roll the ball about 12 to 18 inches past the hole if it misses — this gives it a chance to drop.
- Look at the hole during your practice strokes and feel the distance.
- Practise lag putting before every round to learn the speed of the greens.
Our dedicated guide has five putting drills to stop three-putting, including the ladder drill and the three-foot circle.
A simple putting routine
A routine keeps you consistent and calm under pressure.
- Read the putt from behind the ball and, if needed, from the low side.
- Choose your line and speed.
- Make two practice strokes beside the ball while looking at the hole, feeling the distance.
- Set the putter behind the ball, aimed at your start line.
- Set your feet and body.
- Take one last look at the hole or your aim point.
- Stroke the putt without delay.
Keep the routine similar in length every time — hesitation breeds doubt.
Short putts: building confidence
Putts inside six feet should be holed most of the time. To improve:
- Pick a precise target inside the hole — a blade of grass at the back of the cup.
- Keep your head still and stroke firmly enough that the ball would finish 12 to 18 inches past.
- Practise the three-foot circle drill regularly.
- Accept that even the best golfers miss some; commit to every stroke.
Adapting to different green speeds
Greens vary enormously from course to course and even day to day. Mowing height, rolling, moisture, grass type and weather all affect speed.
- Fast greens: shorten your stroke rather than hitting more softly with the same length. Take more care on downhill putts, and play more break.
- Slow greens: lengthen your stroke and keep the same smooth tempo. Expect less break.
- Grainy greens: putts with the grain roll faster; putts into the grain roll slower. Shiny-looking grass usually means you are looking down-grain.
- Afternoon greens: greens often get slightly slower and bumpier late in the day as grass grows and footprints accumulate. Be firmer on short putts.
The best preparation is ten minutes on the practice green before every round, focusing on long putts to calibrate your stroke to the day's speed.
The lag putting technique
Long putts — 30 feet and beyond — require a slightly different mindset:
- Read the putt mainly for speed. Look at whether the putt is uphill or downhill, and especially at the last third of the putt, where the ball is slowest and breaks most.
- Walk halfway to the hole and look at the slope from the side. It helps your brain judge distance.
- Make practice strokes while looking at the hole, feeling the length of stroke needed.
- Aim to finish within a three-foot circle. Do not try to hole it — try to make the next putt easy.
- Keep tempo consistent; change the length of the stroke, not the speed of your hands.
Common putting mistakes
| Mistake | Effect | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Wrist flick | Inconsistent speed and line | Use shoulders; try a different grip |
| Decelerating | Putts come up short, off-line | Shorter backstroke; smooth acceleration |
| Head moving | Off-centre strikes | Keep head still; listen for the ball |
| Under-reading break | Misses on the low side | Play more break; focus on the apex |
| Ignoring speed | Three-putts | Practise lag putting |
| Poor alignment | Consistent misses one side | Use a line on the ball or putter |
Practising putting at home
You can improve your putting without leaving the house:
- Putt on a carpet or putting mat to a small target.
- Use a putting mirror to check eye and shoulder alignment.
- Practise the gate drill with two coins or tees just wider than your putter.
- Work on a smooth tempo with a metronome app.
Five or ten minutes a day builds a reliable stroke far faster than an occasional long session.
A weekly putting practice plan
| Day | Practice | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Gate drill for start line (home) | 10 min |
| Wednesday | Ladder drill for speed, three-foot circle | 20 min |
| Friday | Putting mirror and tempo work (home) | 10 min |
| Before each round | Long putts for speed, then short putts for confidence | 10 min |
This plan takes less than an hour a week and builds every core putting skill.
Frequently asked questions
Should I leave the flagstick in when putting?
Under the current Rules of Golf, you may leave the flagstick in or have it removed. Some golfers find the flagstick helps them see the hole on long putts. Choose whichever gives you more confidence.
What type of putter should I use?
Mallet putters are more stable and forgiving on off-centre hits and suit straighter strokes; blade putters suit strokes with more arc and offer more feel. Try both and choose the one you align and strike most consistently.
How many putts should I average per round?
Many club golfers average 32 to 36 putts. Getting below 32 is a good target for improving players.
The bottom line
Good putting comes from a quiet grip, eyes over the ball, a shoulder-driven pendulum stroke, careful green reading and above all excellent speed control. Build a simple routine, practise lag putts and short putts regularly and you will see fewer three-putts and lower scores almost immediately.
If short putts have started to twitch, read the putting yips: what they are and how to beat them.
Go further with how to hole more short putts, putting stroke: arc vs straight back and flagstick in or out?.
Go deeper with lag putting, putting grip styles and how to build a putting routine.