Putting Technique

[Luckydutch]

I'm a decent putter relative to my handicap but I'd like to get a better understanding of the correct techniques. What makes it difficult is it seems there is much conflicting information online.

 

I have a few questions that I'd love to get some guidance on:

 

1. What body parts drive the stroke? Your chest/ribs can move around the spine, your shoulders can move relative to the chest and your arms can move relative to the shoulders. Do they all move independently in the stroke or are any isolated? I tend to putt better when doing a more hands-driven stroke vs a turn of my chest but this is just anecdotal. I can imagine you might get more precise control with fewer moving parts?
2. What should the ratio between backswing and downswing length be? I was taught to try to 'tap' the golf ball and have a short follow-through as excessive follow-throughs can cause you to pull putts (note: this doesn't mean decelerating into impact, it means focusing my mind on the impact or 'tap' and then letting the club do whatever follow-through length is natural for that speed, rather than focusing on the stroke and assuming the impact will be correct if the stroke is correct). However, I read online lots of people espousing the opposite (short backswing with a long follow-through). There also seems to be mixed advice about whether the putter head should move up a lot in the follow-through or arc more low and left
3. How much rotation should occur in the follow-through? I tend to putt better by guiding the back of my lead hand down the target line in the follow-through which is a manipulation but gives me face control/stability. Again, I see others talk about keeping the putter moving on an arc or pizza slice and allowing it to naturally close to target

 

Appreciate any and all advice.

Edited March 20, 2023 by Luckydutch

[iacas]

9 hours ago, Luckydutch said:

1. What body parts drive the stroke? Your chest/ribs can move around the spine, your shoulders can move relative to the chest and your arms can move relative to the shoulders. Do they all move independently in the stroke or are any isolated? I tend to putt better when doing a more hands-driven stroke vs a turn of my chest but this is just anecdotal. I can imagine you might get more precise control with fewer moving parts?
2. What should the ratio between backswing and downswing length be? I was taught to try to 'tap' the golf ball and have a short follow-through as excessive follow-throughs can cause you to pull putts (note: this doesn't mean decelerating into impact, it means focusing my mind on the impact or 'tap' and then letting the club do whatever follow-through length is natural for that speed, rather than focusing on the stroke and assuming the impact will be correct if the stroke is correct). However, I read online lots of people espousing the opposite (short backswing with a long follow-through). There also seems to be mixed advice about whether the putter head should move up a lot in the follow-through or arc more low and left
3. How much rotation should occur in the follow-through? I tend to putt better by guiding the back of my lead hand down the target line in the follow-through which is a manipulation but gives me face control/stability. Again, I see others talk about keeping the putter moving on an arc or pizza slice and allowing it to naturally close to target

 

1. Anything can move the club. I putt with my "elbows" orbiting around my body — my chest remains pretty still, which lets my neck and head and eyes remain pretty still. Stan Utley style… basically. But there are good "chest" putters and good "shoulders" putters, too.
2. Same length back and through, is my preference, with if anything slight deceleration at impact. Here's a topic on it. Not a fan of the long follow-through. See the video below, too.
3. Meh. Doesn't matter much. The ball is gone. 😉 Generally, though, a similar or slightly smaller amount than the backswing.

 

[Wolfhammer]

On 3/20/2023 at 10:49 AM, Luckydutch said:

What body parts drive the stroke?

 

I often wonder this too when I'm putting terribly and very lost.

[wagolfer7]

16 hours ago, iacas said:

 

1. Anything can move the club. I putt with my "elbows" orbiting around my body — my chest remains pretty still, which lets my neck and head and eyes remain pretty still. Stan Utley style… basically. But there are good "chest" putters and good "shoulders" putters, too.

 

I really like this.  I've always more been shoulder focused, but I like the "elbows" orbiting around the body too.  I rolled a few putts with this thought yesterday and felt like it was pretty much the same as when I focus on my shoulders.  Never heard it said like that before.  But the chest, neck, head and eyes I think is crucial for anyone not putting well.    

 

Good post

 

[QuigleyDU]

Need to follow this. I have a decent swing, hit the ball pretty good, short game is manageable. But, me and making putts is like water and oil. I never have that feeling that putts are going in. I feel like I have a decent stroke but nothing ever drops..