The goal in putting is quite simple — get
the ball in the hole. Of course, there are many
different ways to achieve this result. Just watch
the PGA Tour players, and you will see some very
creative things. However, the majority of tour
players today still look very conventional.
Whether they are trying some different styles
or just the basic conventional look, you will
see that there are some similarities between them
all. These similarities make up the fundamentals
of putting, which make it easier to hit putts
squarely, ensuring the proper roll.
I generally like to begin with establishing
the proper setup. Much like the golf swing, this
will ensure a solid foundation upon which to build
your game. It is important to understand that
the proper putting stroke is one that moves on
an arc and not on a straight line. This arc should
be natural and one that you don’t have to
think about.
It is best to create an environment in which
you can be instinctive rather than mechanical.
This will allow for better feel and distance control,
resulting in more made putts as well as minimal
three-putts.
Setup
The setup position can be broken down into “five
lines” at address. Not only do these lines
secure the proper setup position, but they will
also allow you to be fit for the proper length
of putter as well.
1) The putter shaft should be in line with the
forearms.
It is important that the putter shaft is on
the same plane as the forearms. This will allow
the arms and putter shaft to consistently move
together within the stroke. In order to achieve
this alignment, you must grip the putter more
through the palms and not the fingers.
2) The hands are positioned directly under the
shoulder line.
To do this, you must bow forward from the hips
and allow the upper body to face the ground. This
will allow the hands to sit under the shoulder
line and stay clear of the body. It is recommended
that you have a slight amount of elbow bend and
no tension in the arms or hands.
3) The eyes should come to rest over the ball
when you set up.
Once you have bowed forward from the hips, secure
the positioning of the eyes over the ball. It
will be easier to see the target line if your
eyes are on that line or just to the inside of
it.
4) Your weight should be balanced on the middle
of the feet.
Once your eyes are over the ball, you then want
to position your feet the correct distance from
the ball so your weight is felt in the middle
of the feet. If you stand too close to the ball,
your weight will be on the heels. Conversely,
if you stand too far from the ball, your weight
will be on your toes.
5) The putter shaft should be at a 90-degree
angle to the ground.
I don’t recommend that you lean the putter
shaft forward or back at address. This will change
the loft that is built into the putter. At 90
degrees to the ground, your putterface will have
roughly 4 degrees of loft, which is needed for
the proper roll. If you like to lean the putter
shaft forward at address, then you will need to
add loft to your putterface the same amount you
lean the putter shaft forward.
As mentioned previously, the putting stroke
should move along an arc. Achieving these five
lines at address will allow this to happen much
easier and more consistently. Although the arc
is small, it can be very apparent to some people
due to the efforts of trying to keep the putterhead
straight back to straight through. Often times,
we get caught up in rocking the shoulders, which
results in this poor putterhead path. Regardless
of the situation, the putterhead needs to achieve
its natural arc, and these five lines at address
will allow that to happen.
