Putting is perhaps the most mental aspect of the game of golf. The ball is just sitting there on the green and you can take as much or as little time as you want to hit your putts. Learning how to putt well will require discipline and effort on your part as it is a continuous process.
If you really want to realize your full potential as a putter then you will need to master the mental aspects of putting. However this does not mean that putting mechanics are not important. It is important to pick a putting style and putter you like and then stick with that approach and focus on the mental game to elevate your putting success.
A good mechanical tip is to keep your eyes directly over the ball as you putt. This will help you to see the line of the putt better. There are so many different putting styles and techniques that can work so the best thing to do is to try some of them and then make a firm decision to pick one approach and stick with that.
Do not try to chase the perfect putting stroke because it will lead to all kinds of putting problems. You may even end up developing the yips so stick with one mechanical approach and even just one putter unless it gets damaged and you need a replacement. Think of your putter as your own child. You would not just abandon it and replace it every few months would you? Of course, get the best quality putter you can to start with but do not change it if your putting starts to falter.
Rather look to the mental game to improve your putting results. Once you have a putting style and putter picked out you need to train your putting mechanics regularly. Often it is best to do this without hitting putts to a hole so just use your putter and a golf ball and do the necessary drills to keep your mechanics solid. You can even do this at home if you like.
The mental game of putting is a constant challenge as you will need to work on it both on the course and off. You will need to observe your thoughts and ask yourself whether or not the way you are thinking will help you or hurt you in developing more confidence as a putter. Confidence is the key factor you must build and maintain to be a consistently solid putter.
Your mind and body are extremely effective at judging the distance of a putt and executing the mechanics necessary to get the putt to the hole at the right speed and direction. However you need to avoid trying to actively think of distance or mechanics as you are about to strike the putt. You must develop a quiet mind that is focused sharply on the target when you are about to hit your putts.
Before you strike your putt you need to pick out a target. The break of a putt can influence the target you select. A good approach is to make all putts straight putts so if you think a putt will break 3 feet to the left then pick a target that is 3 feet to the right of the hole or imagine another hole 3 feet to the right of the real hole and putt to that.
Once you have selected a target you need to stay focused on that and only think of that as you strike the putt. Do not think about putting mechanics or how you missed the last putt or about dinner or anything else for that matter. Just let your mind and body work to automatically make the best stroke possible and eliminate distractions by staying focused on the target.
When it comes to reading greens the best thing to do is to trust your first impression. Take your time when you step up to a green and take a good look at your putt even from different angles but then come with a good first impression and then trust it. Apply some of these strategies to become the best putter you can be.
Related Articles
Golf Putting Tips to Help you Become a More Solid Putter
By: Jitender Zaman | 04/12/2007 | Hobbies
Putting is a separate game altogether and learning how to putt well can be a challenge. Discover some useful tips to help you become a more consistent putter.
Golf Putting Tips - Learn Ways To Make More Putts And Shoot Low Scores
By: Marla Paulsone | 07/12/2007 | Sports and Fitness
Putting is one of the most important aspects of golf and it is also the part of the game that can make the biggest difference to your scores regardless of whether you are a high or low or even scratch golfer. Here are a few tips to help you on...
Golf Courses In Southwest Florida
By: Jim Kesel | 26/03/2007 | Golf
Golf courses each have a character of there own. Here in Southwest Florida I have 8 different courses within 5 miles of my residence. I have played all of them at one time or another. During what we locals call season (winter months) many are members only but come the...
Getting the Correct Golf Club
By: Chris Simpson | 13/10/2007 | Golf
Depending on the kind of move you want to make at a specific moment in a game you have to always consider getting the correct golf club for the situation. Very experienced golf players usually don’t have any difficulty in getting the correct golf club without a blink of an eye, but for beginners, conditions are different.
Free Golf Lessons Online
By: Chris Simpson | 13/10/2007 | Golf
Many golf fans are constantly interested in improving their performances, therefore, the free golf lessons online are a great opportunity to lean some great tips. Sometimes the simplest advice is also the best. There are many free golf lessons online who will tell you to keep it simple and elegant, as these are the two coordinates to understand and practice this noble sport.
Golf Vacation in the Caribbean
By: Chris Simpson | 13/10/2007 | Golf
For any golf player who wants to feel like in the golf paradise, a golf vacation in the Caribbean could be simply breath taking. Golf vacations in the Caribbean are organized in one of the most luxurious golf resorts in the world, in a wonderful climate and an exotic atmosphere.
The Golf Swing Lesson
By: Chris Simpson | 13/10/2007 | Golf
For anyone who wants to play golf, swing lessons are usually a must; it’s like you can’t do without, since the correct movement is the very basis of this game. Before you start a golf swing lesson as such you need to ask and answer a fundamental question. What do you intend to do in the golf swing or what is the achievement you’re after?
Golf Vacation Packages
By: Chris Simpson | 13/10/2007 | Golf
The great advantage of golf vacation packages is that you can combine a great hobby with other leisure activities and include your family in the equation too. It has become quite a fashion to buy golf vacation packages to exotic destinations that are famous for their luxurious golf resorts.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Golf Articles
Choosing The Right Golf Clubs
By: Chad Wiley | 08/09/2008
A simple guide to walk you through the process of selecting the perfect golf clubs to improve you game.
Work on Your Golf Swing to be a Better Player
By: Clint Jhonson | 08/09/2008
Golf used to be the emblematic sport for the rich and famous, a sport only a few privileged ones had access to. Today, things have taken a new twist and golf is quickly becoming a sport everyone loves, regardless of where they live and how much they make. The popularity of this great outdoor sport is probably is in most part the result of it being so incredibly versatile.
Golf Swing Instruction Will Improve Your Game
By: Clint Jhonson | 08/09/2008
Golf is one of those sports that grab you from the very first time you play. There are actually very few outdoor activities out there which allow you to engage in some competitive fun with your friends. Furthermore, I’ve never heard anyone say that they’ve become tired or bored of playing golf. Whether golf is your life long passion or a recent fling, getting some good golf instruction will only make the sport more exciting.
The Lifestyle Benefits of Owning a Home In Private Golf Communities
By: Christine Harrell | 07/09/2008
Golf course homes next to public greens and private golf communities are ideal locations to purchase a home.
Training Tips for Tennis Players
By: rajan mr | 07/09/2008
Tennis is a lovely game and most of us love playing it. We all know winning is fun and for sure we all hate to lose. However, winning is not easy and it demands a lot of practice. Modern day tennis demands, speed , skill, strength and stamina and fortunately all of these four can be developed through proper training.
Mini Tennis – Know What it is
By: rajan mr | 07/09/2008
Mini Tennis, as the name suggests, is the game of tennis designed especially for children, aged in between 4 years to 11 years. Mini tennis is the modified version of tennis for younger or inexperienced players, in which all the skills.
Tips and Techniques to Improve Your Long Game
By: Kevin Bailey | 05/09/2008
If your looking to improve your golf game then this article will provide you with tips and techniques to make strides in your long game.
Tips and Techniques to the Short Game
By: Kevin Bailey | 05/09/2008
If you enjoy playing golf and want to improve your golf game, this article will give you inside tips and techniques to make strides in your short game.
Sports and Fitness 
