Tip From the Archives

Set the Face

Problem

You are having difficulties aiming while putting.

Cure

Remember, most putts either break a little to the left of right of the cup instead of rolling straight to the hole; so try to work on your ability to read the break and the speed of the green before aiming.

Therapy

Make a mark on the top of your putter in the center of the putterhead or use one with a line already on it. Look at your line to the ball and determine the break from three to six feet from the cup. Walk up a foot behind the ball and set the putter just behind the ball. Aim the putter so that the line is now pointing towards your target. Without moving the putter, walk around to set up to the ball. Align your feet, hips, and shoulders to the line on your putter and therefore target line. Take one last look at your target and then putt.

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11 votes

 
Ben | 4 years ago, at the end of September

This is a dead giveaway that you are a high-handicapper. This procedure almost always fails because it is so difficult to keep the putter in the same spot while you move into position. You are much better off getting a chalk line, and drawing a 3-foot chalk line on the practice green that goes into a hole (pick a straight putt). Then, hit putts on the chalk line; this will train your eyes to see a straight line. Of course, when you are on the course, you still have to read the break and speed, but at least you can aim for your break with confidence!

Golf Medic | 4 years ago, at the end of September

A line on the practice green might help, but learning to aim your putter will help everywhere. As with many of our other tips, this will make the biggest impact on high-handicappers; who make up a large part of our audience.

Joe | 4 years ago, at the end of September

It also helps many high handicappers to imagine hitting within a 3 ft hole (centering the cup). By setting up an 'achievable' putt, it helps with confidence and a solid stroke. C'mon, we can all hit a golf ball into a 3ft hole, right? If you hole out then great and if you miss, you end up in the 3ft 'hole' where at least your next putt is 90% probable...then gradually shrink the 'hole' 2ft, then 1ft...



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