Miles Bennett
Golf putting is considered the ultimate test of precision and patience in the game. It involves propelling the golf ball into the hole using a putter, usually on the flattest and smoothest part of the golf course, the putting green. The perfect putt is a combination of speed, aim, and stroke. Before putting, golfers must align their body and the putter face with the target, visualising the path they want the ball to take. There are various techniques to master putting, such as the AimPoint Method, which uses the golfer's feet to feel the slope of the green, and visual inspection, which involves observing the hole and ball from different angles to understand the green's undulations. Golfers should also focus on maintaining a steady posture, with their feet shoulder-width apart, and a firm yet comfortable grip on the putter. While there is no single right way to putt, it is crucial to keep your head down and maintain eye contact with the ball during short putts.
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What You'll Learn
- The AimPoint method: Feel the slope with your feet, estimate the angle, and extend your arm
- Alignment: Feet shoulder-width apart, lean forward from hips, eyes over the ball
- Grip: Firm but comfortable grip, with eyes pointed down
- Speed: Critical to how far the ball travels and how much it's affected by the slope
- Practice: Hitting thousands of putts helps
The AimPoint method: Feel the slope with your feet, estimate the angle, and extend your arm
The AimPoint method is a technique developed by Mark Sweeney that uses the golfer’s feet to feel the slope of the green and a hand-based system to express the slope’s steepness. It is a remarkably easy and highly effective method used by hundreds of tour pros. Here's how you can use the AimPoint method:
Feel the slope with your feet
Stand over your putt and feel the slope with your feet. You can do this by straddling the line of your putt and sensing which foot feels heavier. The heavier foot gives an indication of the slope's direction. For instance, if you feel more weight on your left foot, the ground is sloping to the left.
Estimate the angle
Once you have determined the direction of the slope, you need to estimate the angle of the slope. Is it a 1%, 2%, or 3% slope? This can be done by matching the slope you feel to a number. For example, a mild tilt might be a 1, while a more pronounced tilt would be a 2 or 3. With practice, you will be able to calibrate your feel more accurately.
Extend your arm
Stand directly behind your ball and face the hole. Extend your arm out in front of you and raise a number of fingers corresponding to the slope percentage. Your fingers should be held vertically. The point at which your fingers intersect with the hole gives you an 'AimPoint'. This is where you should aim your putt, rather than aiming directly for the hole.
It is important to note that the distance at which you hold your hand from your body may vary depending on your arm length and finger width. Therefore, it is recommended to get calibrated by a certified instructor or someone who is calibrated.
Additionally, the AimPoint method can be adjusted for putts of different lengths. For putts inside 10 feet, stand directly over the ball by straddling your feet on each side. For putts inside 6 feet, while it is great to determine the percentage grade of the slope, the aiming points differ for short putts. For a 4-foot putt, take away an inch of break for the 3-4% putts, and for a 6-foot putt, add an inch of break for the same slope.
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Alignment: Feet shoulder-width apart, lean forward from hips, eyes over the ball
To putt a golf ball, alignment is key. The first step is to position your feet shoulder-width apart, parallel to your target line. This is the foundation of your posture, providing balance and stability for the upcoming putt.
Next, you'll want to lean forward from your hips. This movement allows your eyes to be directly over or just inside the ball. This position is crucial as it enables you to swing the putter back and through along the target line. It gives you a clear view of the ball and the intended path, ensuring your putt is precise and controlled.
By focusing on alignment, you're not only physically positioning your body and the putter towards the target but also aligning your mind's eye with the desired path. Visualise the line you want the ball to follow, from the initial contact to its final destination. This mental imagery enhances your physical alignment, ensuring your body and mind are in sync.
Additionally, when it comes to alignment, it's essential to consider the slope of the green. Use your feet to feel the slope and estimate its angle. This awareness of the terrain helps refine your alignment, enabling you to make adjustments for the undulations and slopes of the green.
Remember, alignment is a critical aspect of putting. It sets the foundation for your putt, ensuring your body, mind, and equipment are all working in harmony towards the same goal: propelling the golf ball into the hole with precision and control.
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Grip: Firm but comfortable grip, with eyes pointed down
When it comes to putting a golf ball, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The grip you choose will depend on what feels natural, comfortable, and right for you. Here are some of the most common grips used by golfers:
Reverse Overlap Grip
This grip is commonly used by golfers. For right-handed golfers, the left index finger rests on top of the right pinkie finger, differing from a standard overlap grip where the right pinkie finger is on top. This grip is similar to the grip used on full shots, providing consistency. It also gives the golfer excellent feedback during the stroke.
Cross-Handed Grip
Also known as "left-hand low", this grip is ideal for golfers who struggle with an overactive right hand. The left hand is placed below the right hand, with the left thumb resting on top of the putter grip to provide stability. This grip makes it easier to line up and keep the face square as the left hand is closer to the putter head.
Claw Grip
This grip has gained popularity since the early 2000s, even among pro golfers. The left hand is placed in the conventional position, while the right hand holds the putter grip between the thumb and forefinger, with the palm facing the body. This grip takes some time to get comfortable with but can help golfers struggling with the conventional grip.
Pencil Grip
Used by Major Champion Jordan Spieth, one of the best putters on the PGA Tour, this grip helps eliminate unwanted hand action. The lower hand mirrors the way you would hold a pencil, resulting in a lighter grip with the palm working more towards the target. It keeps the right side connected to the torso, promoting a consistent stroke.
While these are some of the most popular grips, there are many other variations that golfers use. Ultimately, the best grip for you is the one that feels comfortable and allows you to achieve the desired results.
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Speed: Critical to how far the ball travels and how much it's affected by the slope
Speed is a critical factor in putting a golf ball. It determines how far the ball will travel and how much the slope of the green will affect its trajectory. The speed of the putter when it impacts the ball is influenced by the rate of acceleration, which is determined by the length of the backswing and the total length of the putting stroke. The speed of the ball will also be influenced by the type of grass on the green, which can create more or less friction.
When putting, it is important to consider the slope of the green. The ball will always roll down the slope, and the longer it is on the slope, the more it will be affected by it. This means that the speed of the ball will impact how much the slope comes into play. If the ball is rolling slowly, it will be on the slope for longer, and so will be more affected by it. Conversely, if the ball is rolling quickly, it will be less influenced by the slope. Therefore, it is crucial to balance speed with the line or direction of the putt.
To control the speed of the ball when putting, golfers must consider the distance to the hole and the slope of the green. By adjusting the speed, golfers can ensure the ball spends the optimal amount of time on the slope to increase the likelihood of making the putt. For example, by decreasing the speed, the ball will spend more time on the slope and require a starting line aimed further outside the cup. Conversely, increasing the speed will result in the ball spending less time on the slope, requiring a starting line closer to the edge.
Additionally, the speed of the green itself can vary depending on several factors, including the type of grass, cutting frequency, moisture levels, and ground conditions. These factors can influence the friction experienced by the ball, affecting its speed. Therefore, golfers must also consider the speed of the green when determining the optimal speed and line for their putt.
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Practice: Hitting thousands of putts helps
Practice is key to mastering the art of putting in golf. While putting may seem simple, it is difficult to master, and learning to sink your putts consistently can be the difference between a good round and a great round.
Hitting thousands of putts will help you improve your game. You can practice this by going to your local practice green once a week and spending a couple of hours hitting hundreds of 3-4 footers with 2 or 3 balls at a time. This will help you gain confidence in your ability to sink putts within this range, taking the pressure off when it comes to longer putts.
It is important to practice putts from different ranges, too, so you can get a feel for how much power you need for putts of varying lengths. This will help you become more familiar with the amount of force required for different distances.
When you are on the course, be aggressive and try to sink every putt, no matter how far away you are from the hole. This will help you build confidence, especially when those longer putts start going in. If you don't make it, you can always watch the roll afterward to get a sense of the slope of the green beyond the hole.
You can also practice at home by setting up a drill with a golf ball and a wall. Adjust your stance so that the top of your head is slightly touching the wall, and stroke the putt. This will give you instant feedback on whether your head is moving or not, and help you develop a consistent stroke.
In addition to drilling, it is important to make your practice sessions challenging. This will help you transfer your skills to the course more effectively. One way to do this is to play around with your eye alignment instead of setting up your eyes in the same way each time. This will make your practice tougher than the real thing, and you'll be able to feel more confident when it matters.
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Frequently asked questions
You should take a balanced and comfortable stance with your feet shoulder-width apart, parallel to your target line. Lean forward from your hips so your eyes are directly over or just inside the ball.
Stand behind your ball, at a right angle to the hole, and hold up your putter so it covers the ball. Then, align the shaft of your putter with the ball. If the shaft tilts to one side, it indicates that the green slopes in that direction.
Developed by Mark Sweeney, this technique uses your feet to feel the slope of the green and a hand-based system to express the slope's steepness. Stand over your putt and estimate the angle of the slope, then extend your arm and raise a number of fingers corresponding to the slope percentage. Your fingers should be held vertically. The point at which your fingers intersect with the hole gives you an 'AimPoint', which is where you should aim your putt.
Yes, it is important to keep your head down when putting, especially on putts inside 10 feet. Do not lift your head or look up until you hear the rattle of the ball falling into the cup.
