There is no more personal, individual aspect of the game of golf than the putting stroke. While there can be endless variations in “successful” strokes, there are some fundamentals that are key to making more putts.

THE GRIP

Find a grip you are comfortable with.  While nearly any grip will work for such a short stroke, most professionals advise that you grip the club with the palms opposing each other on either side of the shaft.  Your thumbs should lie on the top of the shaft pointing down (not wrapping around the grip) with the fingers underneath. Unlike the grip for full shots, with the putter, the club should run between the heel pad and the thumb pad of your hands. This position will help keep your wrists inactive during the stroke. The most frequently used putting grip is called the “reverse overlap”… the first finger of the left hand overlaps the pinkie of the right hand (for right handed golfers.)

POSTURE

You must feel solidly balanced and comfortable when you stand over the ball, your weight evenly distributed on both feet and your feet about shoulder width apart. The stance should allow your body and head to remain motionless throughout the stroke. The arms should hang naturally with the arms and shoulders forming a triangle. Don’t let the triangle break own as you strike the ball.

SET-UP

Your eyes should be directly over the ball at address – not inside the line (standing too upright) nor outside of it (bending over too far.) To check this try setting up to a putt and hold another ball on the bridge of your nose. When you drop that ball it should strike the ball you have addressed.  If it doesn’t, adjust your posture or ball position.

ALIGNMENT

Start by lining up the club head behind the ball so the face points squarely down the target line. Your feet, hips and shoulders should be parallel to your target line (the target line is not necessarily the hole, but may be an old ball mark or blemish on the putting surface that represents the apex of the break you have read for the putt.)

THE STROKE

Let your left hand guide the stroke.  Swing the putter like the pendulum on a clock keeping your wrists firm though out the entire stroke. Don’t let the putter head get past your hands. Practice making a “square-to-square” putting stroke:

• Start the putter head straight back from the ball;
• Keep the putter head low to the ground on the back swing and on the follow-through;
• Stroke firmly through the ball, accelerating through the hitting area;
• Keep the putter face square at least 5 inches after hitting the ball.

If you are having trouble with your putting stroke, or any aspect of your game, see your local PGA professional.

## #

Bob Maher is a PGA Professional at Overland Park Golf Course. He can be reached at 913-897-3809