How to Putt

Congratulations! You've finally managed to place the ball on the green. Now you just have to tap the ball into the hole - not hard really ! Or is it ? Many golfers falter at this last hurdle not least Bernhard Langer.

Confidence and technique are required to putt properly. Greens are usually sloped and therefore it is important to read it's contours. In these cases, one strikes the ball towards an imaginary target not directly at the cup. You use to the slope of the green to roll the ball into the cup. Therefore the green is as much an instrument of play as the putter itself and the ability to read greens as important as putting technique. Above all, a positive mental attitude should be maintained. Your mind's eye is as important an instrument as the putter itself.

Note that every putter has a sweet spot usually indicated by a cut in the head. When putting downhill, the ball can run away if struck with the sweet spot. One way to overcome this is to strike the ball nearer the toe of the putter which causes it to move forward much slower.

Read the Green

Unless the ball is close to the cup, you will need to access what effect any contours on the green may have on the ball's path.You may have to putt towards an imaginary target with a controlled amount of force. Sometimes greens are fast or slow which dictates how much they slow the ball down. This is yet another factor which dictates how hard the ball should be struck.

You need to know what line you want the ball to take and how hard you should strike it. Some golfers squat behind the ball while others stand far back from it in order to 'see' the green and imagine it's path.

Address

Stand over the ball with your feet parallel to the intended ball trajectory. The ball should be between the left foot and the centre of your stance. The eyes should be directly over the ball. Keep the elbows in against the hips and your knees flexed. Essentially the rest of the body can be relaxed but be careful not to stoop.

Takeaway

The takeaway just moves the clubhead back as far as the right foot with a smooth action. The action is performed solely by the upper body with the arms and wrists following. Keep the lower body and head absolutely still otherwise the shot will be spoiled.

Impact

The putt is all about pivoting the upper body around the head. Bring the club to the ball with a smooth stroke thus returning to the address position. The upper body does the work with the arms, hands and club following. Once again the lower body and head must be kept absolutely still otherwise the shot will be spoiled.

Follow Through

After contact, the ball is pushed forward by the putter. Allow the uncoiling of the upper body to follow it's course. The arms, hands and putter follow. Keep the lower body and head still. A fatal mistake is to look up at the ball directly after impact as this causes the swing plane to alter and thus the ball to be pushed off the target line.