Golfers who are new to the game are rightfully concerned with hitting the ball well and developing a consistent swing. However, it doesn't take long for a golfer to realize that putting is an important part of the game and learning to putt well can help a golfer put a low number on the scorecard. The basics of a good putting stroke can be learned fairly quickly, but it will take many hours of practice to become expert in that area.
Step 1
Stand about 10 to 15 behind your ball and assess the path it will take as it winds its way to the hole after you hit it. This is called reading the green. You have to look for downhill breaks, uphill breaks and sidehill breaks. A putt that is more uphill will have to be hit more solidly. A putt with more downhill breaks will have to be hit with more touch.
Step 2
Grip the putter a bit more lightly than you would a club you are using on a tee shot, a fairway shot or an approach shot. This will help give you a better feel for the ball when it strikes your club head. Grip the putter at about a "5" on a scale of 1 to 10. That compares to a 6 or 7 that you hold the club at when you are taking a fairway or tee shot.
Step 3
Assess how hard you will have to hit the ball to get it to the hole. Good putters are not going to make every putt they have, but the best putters do not leave putts short when they have a chance to make birdies or pars. If you fear what will happen if you putt the ball too hard, your thought process will not help you get the ball in the hole. Your thought process has to be a strategy to get the ball in the hole, not one that will minimize the damage. Have a positive thought process when putting the ball.
Step 4
Walk up to your ball, take one practice stroke and then putt the ball. Many golfers will take two or three practice strokes and then stand over the ball for 30 seconds or more before putting the ball. Instead of putting the ball, the putter is racked with indecision. This can manifest itself with shaking hands and a poor putting stroke. Avoid that by coming up with your putting gameplan, taking one practice stroke and putting the ball at the hole.
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