Putting is often considered the most important part of the game and it seems quite simple, but this is where most golfers struggle the most. From beginners to experienced players, everyone is searching for a more reliable way to roll the ball consistently into the hole. Whether you are working on your putting practice at the course or focusing on indoor putting drills, the primary golf will be developing a stroke that produces consistent results.
Through proper putting coaching, golfers can better understand what truly matters in a putting stroke. Let’s take a closer look at the difference between a putting stroke and a consistent stroke with insights from one of our coaches: Coach Marley.
Throughout my journey as a golf coach, I’ve seen countless players trying to perfect their putting from taking the putter straight back and through to accelerating through the ball. Hopefully, this blog will help with many of these theories.
#1 The putter has to go straight back and through:
This is completely false. When we look at the data from tour players, we see a mixture of putting strokes. The most common putter path is inside to inside, but we also occasionally see outside-to-inside paths. A great example of this is Jack Nicklaus, who is widely regarded as one of the best golfers ever!
#2 The putter has to accelerate through the ball :
This is true, and it has been supported by numerous coaches. However, the putter doesn’t reach peak acceleration until after the ball has been struck. If the putter reaches its peak speed before impact, it can cause the ball to jump off the face, resulting in inconsistent rolls and unpredictable ball speed.
So, what should I look for in my putting? Focus on the consistency of your stroke. Many modern putting monitors measure how consistent your putter path, putter face, and ball speed are. Once you have consistency, you can start to identify your tendencies and areas for improvement.
When should you work on your stroke?
Work on it whenever your stroke is inconsistent or the ball doesn’t start on the intended line. Remember, the putter face has to match the path. A good guideline is: start line = 85- 92% face angle + 8-5% putter path. This highlights why the putter face is so critical even a face that s 1 off can cause the ball to miss the hole.
Putting doesn’t have to be complicated. Rather than chasing perfect positions or common myths, focus on building a consistent stroke and controlling your putter face. When these two elements work together, you’ll start to see more reliable start lines and improved distance control. With the right putting practice and guidance, better results on the greens will follow.
