Putting is arguably the most important skill in golf. It’s the area where even the slightest improvement can drastically lower your scores.
Many golfers struggle with the mechanics of putting, making it seem far more complicated than it needs to be. Fortunately, mastering a simple, reliable putting technique can transform your performance on the greens.
Let’s explore the easiest putting technique ever, the conventional putting, focusing on fundamentals and drills that anyone can practice.
Conventional Putting: The Easiest Putting Technique Ever
Conventional putting refers to the standard method of putting, characterized by a neutral grip, a pendulum-like stroke, and balanced body alignment.
This style has stood the test of time because of its simplicity and effectiveness. While golfers may experiment with different putting grips or techniques, conventional putting remains a go-to for consistency and precision.
To become a confident putter, start with the basics:
Choosing the Best Putting Grip: The Reverse Overlap Grip
Choosing the best putting grip is personal, but the Reverse Overlap Grip is the most popular, used by 68.5% of PGA Tour players, including Jordan Spieth.
This grip offers a natural feel and promotes proper mechanics, making it ideal for both beginners and struggling putters. It’s versatile, supporting both arc-style and straight-back, straight-through strokes, and enhances control and accuracy.
How to Use the Reverse Overlap Grip
For right-handed golfers, place the putter handle in your palms (not fingers) for stability. Wrap your fingers around the grip, with your thumbs running straight down the shaft.
Your trail hand’s index finger should overlap your lead hand’s pinky and ring finger. This setup minimizes wrist movement, leading to a steady stroke. Ensure both palms face each other, and aim for a secure but natural grip to maintain control and consistency on the greens.
This grip helps improve control, precision, and distance consistency with practice.
Proper Stance For Conventional Putting:
A proper putting stance is crucial for control and stability. Here are the key elements:
- There’s no set rule for foot width; choose a stance that feels stable. Rickie Fowler and Brandon Wu use a narrow stance, Xander Schauffele opts for shoulder-width, while Tiger Woods finds a middle ground. The goal is consistency in your stroke.
- Maintain a slight knee bend for balance and control. Proper knee flex helps ground you, enhancing stability and minimizing unnecessary movement during the stroke.
- Bend from your hips, not your waist, to create a natural forward tilt. This keeps your arms and putter hanging freely, promoting control and consistency.
- Experiment with eye positioning—inside, directly over, or slightly outside the ball—to find what best aligns your putter and aim.
- Keep your shoulders square and parallel to the target line to enable a smooth, pendulum-like stroke. Avoid slouching, as it can restrict movement and affect your stroke consistency.
Mastering the Perfect Putting Stroke: Key Steps to Lower Your Scores
Learning the basics of a proper putting stroke is crucial for improving your golf game. Follow these essential steps to boost your consistency and lower your scores on the greens.
- Before each putt, stand behind the ball and pick a target line based on the green’s slope. Align the ball’s marking with this line to improve accuracy and increase your chances of sinking the putt.
- Position the ball slightly ahead of center in your stance, with your eyes over the ball (or adjusted to what feels most comfortable for you). Keep your feet parallel to the target line, and square the putter face to the ball for better precision.
- Your putting stroke should start with a smooth backswing, driven by your shoulders in a pendulum motion. Keep your wrists firm and minimize hand movement. Maintain a 2:1 tempo, where the backswing is twice as long as the forward stroke, for consistent speed control.
- On the downswing, accelerate smoothly while keeping a steady tempo. Strike the ball with the center of the putter face to ensure a clean roll. Keep your body and head still to avoid mis-hits or offline putts.
- A proper follow-through is essential for accuracy and control. Let the putter continue along the target line after striking the ball. Hold your follow-through and keep your head down to stay focused and improve your putting consistency.
Drills To Improve Conventional Putting
Practicing conventional putting requires drills that focus on improving your accuracy, distance control, and consistency. Here are some effective drills tailored for this traditional putting style:
1. Phil’s Circle Drill
This is a great way to build confidence with short putts. Place 10 balls in a circle about 3 feet from the hole, and try to make every putt. If you miss one, start over. Begin by aiming to make 20-30 putts in a row, then work your way up to 50 or more. This drill helps with precision and maintaining focus under pressure.
2. Gate Drill
The Gate Drill is excellent for improving putter path and face control. Set two tees just wider than the putter head and practice putting through them without touching the tees. This drill helps eliminate off-center hits and encourages a straight, controlled stroke.
3. Barrier Behind the Cup
This drill targets distance control. Set a barrier (like an alignment rod or golf club) 2 feet behind the hole. Try to roll the ball just past the hole without hitting the barrier. It helps eliminate leaving putts short, a common issue with longer putts, and trains you to finish with enough speed.
4. Lag Putting Drill
For improving control on longer putts, pace off distances of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 feet from the hole. The aim is to get each putt within a 3-foot circle around the hole. If you miss, start over. This drill trains your feel for distance, which is crucial for avoiding three-putts on long shots.
5. Measuring Tape Drill
This drill helps with visualizing and controlling stroke length. Lay out a measuring tape from your ball towards the hole, and practice putting while keeping your backstroke in line with specific points on the tape. This improves consistency in stroke power, especially for medium to long putts.
By incorporating these drills into your practice routine, you can build the necessary skills for better conventional putting. Consistency, precision, and distance control are key to mastering the stroke.
Conclusion
Putting doesn’t have to be complex. By mastering these simple fundamentals and incorporating drills into your practice routine, you’ll quickly see improvements in your performance.
Consistency is key—so start today, and you’ll be shaving strokes off your score in no time.
By focusing on simplicity, this approach provides the easiest way to master your putting technique.
