Putting presents a challenge because no two putts are the same. Gravity’s effect on roll will always change from green to green.  However, when you face a left-to-right versus a right-to-left putt, you shouldn’t alter your stroke. Perhaps you don’t even know if you’re stroke changes. You should get it looked at on video. This is a great way to capture the true essence of your stroke – how it holds up against different types of slope.

Why is putting so fickle? Why are you a good putter today and a bad putter tomorrow? One of the reasons is allowing the slope of the green to influence the path of your stroke. That means you create a last second compensation to start the ball higher than you originally intended. For example, you face a right-to-left putt and you estimate 2 cups worth of break. So, you aim the putter head (and your feet) two cups outside the right edge. However, once the putter starts back you lose trust in your line. Your stroke moves more inside on the backstroke and across the aim line on the forward stroke. This last second compensation was used to make the ball start more to the right. This of course happens in the opposite way when you face a left-to-right putt.

Good putters stay consistent for every putt – not matter what. Speed and slope are the only variables that change. The stroke never changes. Here’s a simple drill to work using a shaft to help create a more consistent stroke with different putts.

Find a hole on your practice green with a generous amount of slope. Start with a left-to-right break about three paces from the hole (approx. 9 ft.). Lay the shaft down on the ground. This will not be your aim line – it’s your guideline. Without a ball set the toe of the putter against the shaft and make a few casual strokes. Notice how the toe moves away from the shaft on the backstroke and forward stroke. It’s a small arc, but it’s true (and it must never change no matter what type of putt you face). There’s no manipulation.

With this particular putt, be careful not to track the putter along the shaft on the backstroke and well inside the shaft on the forward stroke. See the following image.

That’s the type of stroke most amateurs make to reinforce the ball starting left – not consistent.

Move to the opposite side of the cup from the same distance (three paces). Repeat the same drill with a right-to-left putt. In this particular putt, be careful not to track the putter too far away from the shaft on the backstroke and down the shaft on the forward stroke. See the following image.

That’s the type of stroke most amateurs make to reinforce the ball starting right – not consistent.

The goal with this drill is concentrating on seeing a small arc – how the toe of the putter moves a small amount away from the shaft on the backstroke and forward stroke. Once you understand the concept go ahead and practice with a ball to see how your stroke holds up.

Make More Putts,

Adam