To truly excel in golf, mastering your short game is essential, and nothing impacts your score more directly than effective putting. The video above provides valuable insights from golf pro Rickie Fowler and coach Butch Harmon, offering direct advice on how to putt better. Their tips focus on consistency, contact, and speed, laying a strong foundation for any golfer looking to shave strokes off their game.
Understanding Crucial Golf Rules: The Flagstick Penalty
One of the immediate takeaways from the video highlights a common beginner mistake: leaving the flagstick in while putting. As Butch Harmon rightly points out, hitting the flagstick with your putt incurs a two-shot penalty if your ball was played from the green.
This rule is designed to ensure fair play and avoid unnecessary advantages. Always remember to remove the flagstick before you putt, especially when on the green, to avoid these avoidable penalties and maintain your score.
Mastering the Fundamentals of Consistent Golf Putting
Rickie Fowler, known for his clutch putting, emphasizes that regardless of the putt’s length, the core focus remains on two critical elements: contact and speed. These two factors are within your direct control and significantly influence the outcome of your putting stroke.
The Dual Focus: Perfecting Contact and Speed
Achieving solid contact means striking the ball squarely with the center of your putter face. This ensures the ball rolls true, without skidding or wobbling, providing a predictable path toward the hole.
Speed control, on the other hand, dictates how far your golf putt travels. Learning to judge the required force to get the ball to the hole, without rolling too far past, is a skill developed through practice and feel. A good putt often dies near the hole, giving gravity a chance to pull it in.
Developing a Reliable Putting Setup Routine
A consistent setup is the cornerstone of any repeatable golf putting stroke. Rickie Fowler outlines a simple yet effective routine that can dramatically improve your consistency.
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Putter Down First for Alignment
Start by placing the putter head down behind the ball first. This establishes your initial alignment and helps ensure your body naturally adjusts to the putter’s position. This small step can lead to more consistent aim.
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Square Shoulders for Direction
Once your putter is set, ensure your shoulders are square to your target line. This alignment helps keep your putting stroke on the intended path, preventing pushes or pulls. Your hands should then hang naturally.
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Optimal Hand Position and Grip Pressure
The grip itself should feel comfortable, with pressure distributed evenly, typically in the middle of your hands. An overly tight grip can lead to tension and restrict the natural flow of your stroke, while a grip that is too loose can result in a loss of control.
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Sharpen Your Eye Focus for a Steadier Stroke
Rickie suggests fixing your eyes on a specific, tiny spot directly behind the golf ball. Whether it’s a specific dimple or a blade of grass, this technique helps prevent your eyes from wandering during the stroke. Maintaining a fixed gaze promotes a more stable head position and a more consistent putting stroke, leading to better contact and a truer roll.
Beyond the Basics: Refining Your Putting Technique
While the fundamentals are crucial, consistently improving your golf putting also involves understanding the nuances of the green and purposeful practice. Expanding on the video’s core message, let’s explore additional ways to enhance your performance on the green.
The Art of Green Reading
Before even addressing the ball, thoroughly read the green. This involves walking around the putt, looking for slopes, undulations, and grain direction. Understanding how the green will influence the ball’s path is just as important as the stroke itself.
Consider the overall slope from your ball to the hole, and then visualize the apex of the break. Green reading is a skill that improves significantly with experience and deliberate practice, helping you to putt better.
Effective Drills for Speed and Line Control
To truly improve putting, dedicated practice is key. Incorporate drills into your routine that specifically target speed and line control.
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Ladder Drill: Place markers at increasing distances (e.g., 3, 6, 9 feet) and practice hitting putts to each marker, focusing solely on distance control. This helps calibrate your stroke for varying lengths.
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Gate Drill: Set up two tees slightly wider than your putter head, just past your ball, creating a “gate” for your putter. This helps ensure your stroke stays on line through impact. For line control, place two more tees just past the hole, slightly wider than your golf ball, and practice putting through this gate.
These drills reinforce the consistent contact and speed control advocated by Rickie Fowler, making your practice sessions more productive and leading to more confident putts on the course.
The Mental Game of Golf Putting
Putting is as much a mental game as it is physical. Develop a pre-shot routine that you can execute consistently before every putt. This routine should include reading the green, selecting your target, and visualizing the ball rolling into the hole. A consistent mental approach helps calm nerves and reinforces confidence.
Trust your read and your stroke. Overthinking a putt can lead to hesitation and poor execution. Commit to your line and speed, and then let your practice take over. A positive and focused mindset is vital for anyone looking to improve putting performance.
Final Thoughts on Improving Your Golf Putting
By integrating Rickie Fowler’s core advice with a deeper understanding of green dynamics, purposeful practice, and a strong mental approach, you can significantly elevate your golf putting. Remember to always remove the flagstick, prioritize consistent contact and speed, and develop a repeatable setup routine. These fundamental principles are your pathway to making more putts and enjoying lower scores on the golf course.
Putt Better: Your Q&A with Rickie Fowler
What is a common mistake beginners make when putting near the hole?
A common mistake is leaving the flagstick in while putting. If your ball hits the flagstick when played from the green, it results in a two-shot penalty.
What are the most important things to focus on when trying to putt better?
The article emphasizes two critical elements: achieving solid contact with the ball and controlling the speed of your putt. Mastering these helps the ball roll truly and stop near the hole.
How should I set up my body for a consistent putting stroke?
Start by placing your putter head down behind the ball for alignment, then ensure your shoulders are square to your target. Your hands should hang naturally with comfortable grip pressure.
Where should I focus my eyes during a putt?
Rickie Fowler suggests fixing your eyes on a specific, tiny spot directly behind the golf ball. This technique helps keep your head stable and promotes a more consistent putting stroke.
