Repeating your ideal putting setup is critical. That is width of stance, stance distance from the ball, ball placement, etc. Being off just a small amount can result in missed putts. Let’s take a look.
For example: Placing the ball one inch more forward or back in your stance could mean you miss the putt by 4 inches left or right for every 10 feet of the putt.
Why? The farther back you put it, you will miss right. The farther forward you put it, you will miss left.
Everyone has their own perfect setup. It takes time, practice and most likely an evaluation from a PGA professional to determine what’s best for you.
I’m like most people and I figured things out the hard way.
After about 10,000 putts, using numerous training aids, watching tons of videos and trying to copy several different professional golfer… I found “my” setup.
What works for me…
Let’s start out by saying, we will assume you have read the putt correctly and your putting mechanics are good.
You should have already picked out an aim point and aim line prior to stepping into your stance. I do this from behind the ball looking at the hole.
Then…
- Make sure you are planning to make a putt that would roll past the hole.
- Practice the stroke you are going to make.
- Line up putter face perpendicular to or square to your aim line.
- Your ball position needs to be the same every time.
- Then take you stance parallel to your aim line.
- Clear your mind and focus on a single swing thought.
- Make the putt you planned.
Why focus on distance?
I do this all the time. Usually, I’m short on my first couple practice putts for the day.
Using a 13 foot putting mat I practice 10 footers for example.
If I get up there thinking 10 feet. I make a 10 foot stroke.
Then I leave the ball short of it just barely gets in the hole.
You really need to be thinking 11 foot putt or 11 1/2 foot putt.
In other words, make sure you get the ball to the hole.
My Wellputt putting mat has a 2 foot “good zone” past the hole.
Practice the stroke you need to make
Again, if it’s a 10 foot putt, practice a little longer stroke.
My mat has markings for how long your backstroke and forward stroke should be for a 10 foot putt.
Take about 3 practice putts facing the hole and parallel to my aim line.
I do this to relax and make strokes that simulate the actual putt I’m about to make.
Line up the putter face
Do this before you take your stance.
Having a square putter face at impact is essential. A square putter face at impact is 90% of the reason you start the ball on your aim line.
In other words, taking your stance first is no good. You don’t putt the ball with your feet.
The ball position
This most likely will be different for every golfer.
You can not assume it’s in the middle of your stance.
I used the middle of my stance for most of my golf life. It turned out placing it off my left heel was correct for me.
Taking your stance
This sounds simple, but it’s just as important as ball position.
Basically, you want your shoulders, waist, knees an feet parallel to your aim line,
In addition, most players have their eyes directly over the ball or just inside the ball.
By trial and error, I found out my feet needed to be 2 putter heads away from the ball.
My stance needed to be 2 putter heads wide.
Then my right eye or dominant eye needs on the back of the ball and my eyes need to be inside the ball by about an inch.
This is easily repeatable and I can measure distance with my putter head.
In other words, I found things I can measure with that I have with me during play. My feet and my putter.
Let’s talk about swing thoughts.
My focus or putting swing thoughts are “one” of the following.
- Look at the ball thru contact
- I mentally count out 1000 one during the stroke
The idea is to clear your mind and focus on one thing.
If you are thinking about prior missed putts, what’s for dinner, etc., back off and start over again.
Golf requires focus and attention.
Make the putt you planned
While you want to get the ball to the hole, don’t hit the ball.
Roll the ball. Resist launching the ball.
There are obvious exceptions when loading a putt.
If you are 5 feet away or less, there should not be any flexion or extension in your wrists.
As you move farther away there is going to be some wrist movement.
However, speed should coming from a longer back stroke.
Always use the same tempo and rhythm.
Conclusion
I worked on my setup and putting mechanics a long time. That means trial and error. Plus tons of putts.
Try to compartmentalize your putting sequence.
Separate green reading and the thoughts about the stroke you need to make from your setup.
Make your setup based on those things. Then when you are over the ball, focus on making the putt and be confident.
Make solid practice strokes. Just as if you were actually making the putt.
Rock & Roll your shoulders. Do not move from your hips down.
I use “quiet eye” to help with centeredness of contact.
Make sure your shoulders are parallel with your aim line. You can use a mirror to practice this.
You may want to video you putting setup and stroke.
I use my phone on a tripod from behind the ball. Here is article on doing so.
Make sure you have a plan and focus on execution when you are over the ball.
If you start getting stray thoughts, back away…start over again.