Putting fundamentals
The Fundamentals of Putting Fundamentals
A simple setup-and-roll guide for starting more putts online and controlling speed.
Build a setup you can repeat
Good putting begins before the stroke. Let your arms hang naturally, set your eyes in a comfortable spot near the ball, and aim the face before you settle your feet. The goal is not a perfect-looking pose; it is a setup that lets the putter return square without extra hand action.
Face, path, pace
Three pieces matter most:
- Face: where the ball starts.
- Path: how easily the face returns to square.
- Pace: whether the ball finishes near the hole if it misses.
A putt that starts on line with poor speed still creates work. A putt with perfect speed but a crooked face never had a chance.
Keep the stroke quiet
Stable lower body, soft grip pressure, and a smooth tempo make putting feel less like a hit. Listen for a consistent strike and watch the first few inches of roll. That is where many putting problems announce themselves.