Effective Putting Tips for Beginners to Sink More Putts
Introduction
For many beginners, putting can feel like the most frustrating aspect of the game. It’s often the part of golf that determines whether a good round turns into a great one—or a bad one. If you’ve ever found yourself missing short putts or leaving the ball too far from the hole, you’re not alone. I have and still am almost every round. Fortunately, I’m here to give you top-tier advice I have learned over the years. With the right technique, practice, and mindset, you can start sinking more putts and lowering your scores. This post will guide you through effective putting tips tailored for beginners—focusing on fundamentals, drills, and mental strategies to help you master the green.
Proper Grip and Stance
Let’s kick things off with the basics. Getting your grip and stance right is key to building a solid putting foundation.
The right grip
The way you hold your putter is essential for control. The traditional overlapping grip is a popular choice, which is the same as when you are hitting every other shot. This one is good, but it’s not the right one for everyone. I personally use the normal grip, but I have the right index finger on the grip, instead of around your left hand. Try it out and see if you like it.
If you have trouble with wrist movement, the claw grip might be worth trying. It’s very simple. Your left hand is on the same spot but your right hand is not actually on the grip. You put your right thumb on the backside of the grip and your index and middle finger on the top of the grip. It’s all about finding what feels comfortable and provides the best control for your stroke. Test out different grips to see what works best for you.
The claw grip
Normal grip with straight index finger
What kind of posture should you have when putting?
For a stable controlled putt, your stance is crucial. Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent—this will give you balance and flexibility. Your eyes should be directly over the ball, which helps ensure you stay on the right line. This is very important as this will make or break your putting. You can either buy a putting mirror which I recommend or your golfing buddy can look when you putt and correct your posture. The next tip is to keep your upper body relaxed, with your arms hanging naturally by your sides. A relaxed yet focused posture will help you make a smooth and consistent stroke.
Focus on Alignment and Setup
Alignment plays a critical role in accuracy. If you’re not lined up properly, it’s much harder to make a successful putt. Or actually, it’s impossible.
Aim Properly
Start by ensuring that the putter face is square to your target line. A great drill to practice is the “ball-to-target line” drill, where you simply aim toward a close target. Line up the putter face so it’s square to the ball and the target, and check that your body lines—your feet, knees, and shoulders—are aligned as well. Use alignment sticks or a club to help you.
Distance from the ball
Being too far or too close to the ball can affect your control over the stroke. Find a comfortable distance where your arms hang naturally and you can easily make a controlled stroke. Typically, standing about 6 to 12 inches from the ball works for most golfers. If you still find it hard to find your stance, try standing up, with 50% of your weight on both feet and then simply bend over.
Mastering Greens and Judging Distance
Reading greens and controlling distance is crucial for lowering your putting average.
Reading the greens
Learning how to read the break of a green is a valuable skill. Dp this: Walk around the hole and observe the slope from different angles. Try to identify areas where the green may slope toward or away from the hole. This is a hard task, probably the hardest in golf. Even pros get it wrong. Some things to take into consideration are that greens generally slope towards the closest lake, sea, or pond.
Speed Control
Speed is just as important as the line. If you hit the ball too soft it’s going to break more; too hard, and the ball will go past the hole, without breaking. A great drill to improve speed control is the ladder drill. Start by placing balls at various distances from the hole, focusing on getting the ball to stop within a set distance of the hole—without overshooting.
Practice with Drills to Build Confidence
Repetition and practice are the keys to improvement, especially with putting. It doesn’t take many hours combined to get better at putting but you need to be consistent. I believe 5 minutes putting practice every day at home is better than 30 minutes at the course 2 times a week.
Short Putts Drill
Focus on sinking short putts, which will build confidence. Set up a drill where you take several 3- to 5-foot putts from different angles. Try to make several in a row, and keep track of how many successful putts you make before missing.
Distance Control Drill
Practice hitting putts from varying distances (10, 20, 30 feet). Aim for consistency in your stroke and focus on controlling the speed so the ball doesn’t roll too far or fall short.
The Clock drill
The clock drill is a great way to work on your alignment and consistency. Place balls around the hole in a clock-like pattern (e.g., 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock), and practice sinking each putt in succession. Start 2 feet from the hole and increase gradually to 6 feet. If you miss one putt, go again, until you succeed. This will help you get comfortable with different angles and positions.
Stay Calm and Confident Under Pressure
Putting isn’t just about physical technique; it’s also about mental toughness.
1. Mental Focus
Putting is one of the most mentally challenging aspects of golf. To stay calm, take a deep breath and visualize the ball sinking into the hole. Keeping a clear head will help you perform your best under pressure.
2. Routine and Consistency
Develop a pre-putt routine that helps you stay focused. Whether it’s a couple of practice strokes or a quick glance at the hole, a routine can help you get into the right mindset and eliminate distractions.
3. The Power of Positive Thinking
Staying positive and confident is key. Missed putts happen to everyone, but it’s important to focus on the next one, not dwell on mistakes. A confident mindset will help you perform better in the long run.
Conclusion
By incorporating these tips into your practice, you’ll start to see improvement in your putting game. Focus on proper technique, practice drills to build confidence, and develop a calm, consistent routine. Remember, putting is all about consistency, and with time and patience, you’ll be sinking more putts and lowering your scores. I believe in you, and so should you!
If you want to read more indepth about putting tips, read my “Top 5 best putting tips“