Putting Tips: Become a Great Putter

Both Gary Player and Ernie Els, two professional South American golfers, want golfers to do well while playing golf. They have the following tips for putting during a short game of golf.

Don't think too hard about missing the putt.

It doesn't matter if you are a professional golfer or somebody who plays for fun. Many golfers think too hard about what will happen if they miss a putt and the golf ball doesn't go into the hole. Don't think about these things. Instead, concentrate on the golf ball going into the hole.

Keep your head down and watch the golf ball.

A mistake that many players make when they are putting is to look away from the golf ball. This may be because they think it is such an easy thing to putt a golf ball into the hole. However, your head should be kept down and the golf ball should be watched. This is an important part of putting.

Visualize the golf ball going into the hole.

Many golfers make the mistake of thinking that putting is so easy that they can look anywhere and think about anything. However, while putting, you should visualize the golf ball going into the hole. The golf ball is more likely to go into the hole if you are visualizing it going into the hole than if you are looking elsewhere.

Concentrate on the spot where you want the golf ball to end.

If you want the golf ball to end in the hole, concentrate on the hole. This means look at the golf ball and concentrate on a path to the hole. If the putt is being used to get the golf ball closer to the hole, concentrate on the place where you want the golf ball to end.

Line the front tip (toe) of the club with the golf ball and gently move the club forward.

Many golfers seem to think that there is no technique to putting. They think it is only swinging a club, the putter, gently. However, there is a technique to putting. The club should be aligned properly with the golf ball. When the golf ball is on the green, make sure that the front tip of the foot of the club, otherwise known as the toe, is aligned with the part of the golf ball that is the furthest from it so that the entire golf ball's side lies near the entire foot of the club.

Keep putting routine consistent.

No matter what your putting routine is, keep it consistent. If you take three practice swings before putting, always take three practice swings before putting. If you take only one practice swing before putting, always take one practice swing before putting. If you have a certain stance for putting, always use that stance. Never change your putting routine.