Tip From the Archives

Controlling Putt

Problem

You have a short distance to putt the ball and it should be easy for you. However, you cannot make a smooth stroke because you are trying to control or guide the ball to the cup. Even knowing this is the problem, it is hard to stop yourself from doing it.

Cure

You need to change your focus. You are trying too hard to steer the ball when you really should try to make a smooth stroke. Change your key thought to making an even tempo as you make your putt.

Therapy

Anxiety is a powerful weapon and you are harming yourself with it. Take an extra minute to breathe slowly and relax your grip pressure. Remember that if you are trying to over control the club, you are decelerating your swing. Spend time practicing at home and on the course to create a smooth stroke that allows you to accelerate the putterhead into the ball and well past it.

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13 votes

 
Bill | 2 years ago, at the end of January

In practice I try to line up my putter with a target and get to where I can hit that target line consistently. Then for short putts once it is lined up, I focus on a tempo that gets it the right distance knowing (or at least believing) that I am already on line. One less thing to think about when making a stroke. If you're trying to 'guide' the putt it means you are essentially recorrecting your swing for each putt, which leads to inconsistency. Is that kinda what you're getting at above?

John | 2 years ago, at the end of January

My answer to very short putts is to look at the hole when making the stroke. That way my brain knows how hard to hit it. I also try not to spend time over the putt over thinking. Line up you putter, look at the hole, and let it go.

Graham | 2 years ago, at the start of November

I've had this problem recently and cured it by finding a blade of grass (or something else) to aim at in the target line that is a foot in front of the ball and putt at that and forget about the hole. Just hit it firmly enough to make the distance. I have consistently had 5 less putts a round since then.



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