Putting Basics: How to Make More Putts and Lower Your Scores

You can hit great drives and crisp irons, but if you don’t putt well, your score won’t reflect it. Putting is where good rounds turn into great ones—and where frustrating rounds can unravel quickly.

The good news? Putting doesn’t require speed, strength, or perfect mechanics. It requires consistency, touch, and confidence. With a few simple fundamentals and a repeatable routine, any golfer can become a better putter.

This guide breaks down putting basics in a clear, easy-to-follow way so you can roll the ball with confidence and start making more putts. It’s the final piece of the Golf Up North Fundamentals Series, designed to help golfers simplify the game from tee to green.

A Quick Disclaimer

I am not a golf pro. I don’t give lessons, I don’t wear a headset on the range, and no one has ever asked me to “fix” their swing. The tips in this post come from notes, research, and trial-and-error while trying to improve my own game. They’ve helped me hit better shots more often—but your mileage may vary. As always in golf, results are not guaranteed… especially after the turn.

Why Putting Matters More Than Any Other Skill

On a typical round, nearly 40% of your strokes are taken on the green. That means even small improvements in putting can have a big impact on your score.

Good putting isn’t about making everything—it’s about:

Eliminating three-putts
Making short putts consistently
Controlling speed on longer putts

Putting Setup: Build a Repeatable Foundation

Consistency starts with setup.

Stance & Posture

Feet about shoulder-width apart
Knees slightly flexed
Bend from the hips, not the waist
Eyes over or just inside the ball

Comfort and balance matter more than style.

Ball Position: Slightly Forward of Center

Ball just forward of the middle of your stance
Hands slightly ahead of the ball
Shaft close to vertical

This helps strike the ball cleanly and start it rolling smoothly.

Grip: Light Pressure, Better Feel

There’s no single “correct” putting grip.

Popular options include:

Traditional reverse-overlap
Cross-handed
Claw grip

Whatever you choose:

Keep grip pressure light
Minimize wrist action

Feel is everything on the greens.

Alignment: Start the Ball on Line

Even a perfect stroke won’t help if you’re aimed incorrectly.

Square the putter face to your target line
Align feet, hips, and shoulders parallel
Use alignment lines on the putter if helpful

Take the time to aim—it’s one of the easiest ways to improve.

The Putting Stroke: Smooth and Simple

Think of the putting stroke as a pendulum.

Stroke Fundamentals

Use shoulders to move the putter
Keep wrists quiet
Equal length back and through

Avoid stabbing at the ball or flipping your hands.

Speed Control: The Real Key to Good Putting

Most missed putts come from poor speed—not bad aim.

Speed Tips

Focus on rolling the ball to the hole, not just at it
Longer putts = longer stroke, not harder hit
Trust your practice strokes

Good speed turns missed putts into easy tap-ins.

Reading Greens: Keep It Simple

You don’t need a complex system.

Look at the slope from behind the ball
Feel the break with your feet
Pick a simple starting line

Overthinking leads to doubt—trust your read.

Common Putting Mistakes (and Fixes)

Too Much Hand Action

Quiet the wrists and use your shoulders.

Rushing Short Putts

Take your time—short putts deserve respect.

Decelerating

Commit to the stroke and swing through.

Changing Technique Too Often

Consistency beats constant tinkering.

Simple Practice Drill for Better Putting

The Circle Drill

Place 6 balls in a 3-foot circle around the hole
Make all 6 before moving back
Builds confidence and consistency

This drill is great before a round.

Fewer Three Putts

Putting well isn’t about perfection—it’s about trust. When you commit to your setup, trust your stroke, and focus on speed, the hole starts to look bigger.

Combine solid putting with the fundamentals covered in the rest of the Golf Up North Fundamentals Series, and you’ll see lower scores—and enjoy the game more.

Because at the end of the day, the best sound in golf is the ball dropping into the cup.

Up next in the Golf Up North Fundamentals Series: Wrapping up The Complete Golf Up North Fundamentals Series

Marisa Fancy along with her husband and four children dreamt of moving “Up North”. They had vacationed for years in northern Michigan and in 1995 they finally made the move.

The family was always out exploring, but with 4 kids there was some limitations on what they could do. Marisa discovered the amazing network of trails in Northern Michigan after Steve died and she would walk for miles. The trails provided her with peace, comfort and solitude at a difficult time in her life. Later, after meeting Guy who would become her second husband, she learned to golf and found another passion she could enjoy in beautiful Northern Michigan.

Marisa has been the family historian, writer, and poet for as long as she can remember. She has always loved to write and has now found a creative outlet for it other than family. You can read her articles in Adventures in Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan History and Golf Up North.