If you’re like most golfers there’s nothing that can ruin your round faster than missing a three foot putt. In fact, it’s probably the most frustrating way to add an extra stroke to your score.
The good thing about short putts like these is that with just a little bit of proper technique and practice you can start sinking almost all of them.
Stop missing your three foot putts by focusing on these tips:
1) Align your eyes over the ball.
When address a putt it’s absolutely essential that your eyes are aligned directly over the ball so you can see directly down the target line. To test your eye alignment set up to the ball with your putter. Next take another golf ball, place it directly between your eyes, and drop it straight down. If it lands outside the ball you are leaning too far forward. If it lands inside the ball you are leaning too far back. Adjust your stance until the ball you drop hits the ball you are addressing.
2) Align your arms.
If you want to swing your putter along the target line you’ll need your arms to be aligned one behind the other. To check your arm alignment ask one of your playing partners to stand behind you while you address the ball and adjust your arms until your trail arm is completely hiding your lead arm.
3) Make a smooth stroke.
Many golfers struggle with short putts because they are stabbing at the ball. If you want to make short putts you’ve got to make a smooth swing with your putter and accelerate through impact. To test the quality of your swing place a coin on the back of your putter and take a few test strokes. If the coin stays on the back of your putter through impact you’re doing it right. If the coin falls off of your putter at any point it means you need to work on smoothing out your stroke.
These three tips will help you start sinking more of those pesky three foot putts but just remember – there’s no substitute for practice. Getting out on the practice green and working on your short putts for even 10 or 15 minutes can have a huge impact on your overall scores.
