What does your putting stroke and green reading have in common?
Written By
Bobby Eldridge
Founder of Golf Swing Downloads
If I had an opportunity to to stand up in front of the entire golf world and I was only allowed to say one sentence, what would it be? “EVERY PUTT IN GOLF IS A STRAIGHT PUTT”…Since I would only be allowed to say one sentence, maybe the powers to be would let me repeat myself, “EVERY PUTT IN GOLF IS A STRAIGHT PUTT”.
If there is one thing that I am 100% sure of it is this. Most amateur golfers have acceptable putting strokes. Keep in mind that there are two parts to our sport. One part is in the air and the other is on the ground. The one on the ground (putting) is so precise at times that it can drive you up a wall. It is kind of line the Red Zone in football. You go 85 yards in two plays and then it takes four plays to go one yard. You hit a towering tee shot, followed up by the best 5 iron of your life, and then you 3 putt from 10 feet.
The reason I say acceptable putting strokes is because you don’t do this for a living and the putting strokes that most of you have is good enough for you to shoot lower scores. The problem begins after you read a putt. This article is all about matching your putting stroke up with reading the green correctly.
No questions asked, the number one putting mistake that I see amateurs golfers make is they don’t aim the putter where they want the ball to start. Most amateur golfers that struggle with their putting, aim the putter at the hole and then they either swing out-to-in (pull) or roll the face closed for putts that break right and in-to-out (push) or roll the face open for putts that break left.
Therein lies my favorite quote in golf “EVERY PUTT IN GOLF IS A STRAIGHT PUTT”. If you have a putt thay breaks 10 inches right to left, you have to aim the putter face 10 inches right of the hole and swing the putter straight back and straight through to that exact spot. You have to start that putt STRAIGHT and allow the ground to curve the ball from left to right into the hole. You can not start that putt at the hole and then swing the putter in-to out and push it on line.
Of course this applies for putts that break left to right. You have to aim the putter left of the hole, swing the putter straight back and straight through, allowing the ground to curve the ball, not your stroke or clubface.
The next time your struggling with your putting, remember this mantra: WHAT DOES YOUR PUTTING STROKE AND GREEN READING HAVE IN COMMON-EVERYTHING!!!
