How do you set-up your putts?

Unless you consistently average less than 30 putts per round with your current putting set-up, give the following method a go for a few weeks and see if your success on the greens improves.

The most successful putters (Woods, Rahm, Spieth etc) all adopt a set-up that sees everything square to the line of the ball and putt = feet, hips and most importantly shoulders.

Find yourself a short straight putt (3 to 4 feet in length) and place alignment rods onto the green either side of the hole so that they run parallel to one another. Look at the photographs below and follow their captions to replicate the technique following the order in pics 1 and 2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1a. Alignment of the clubhead is always the first thing we should do. Place it down so that the putter face is at 90 degrees to the line of the putt.

1b. Ensure that your feet, hips and shoulders are parallel to the line of the
putt (ball position just left of centre
in your stance).

1c. Place your left hand only onto the putter
grip ensuring that the face of the putter is again at 90 degrees to the line of the putt.

2. Add your right hand to assume your putting grip then check that the middle of your right shoulder is positioned over the laces of your right shoe (not over the toes -this last step is very important as it ensures that your shoulders initiate the putting stroke from a square position).

Practice this drill for 15 minutes twice a week – your confidence will increase as you hole more putts on a regular basis (For longer putts adopt the same technique). 

Tom Long
Golf Professional