3 Simple Putting Tips to Build a More Consistent Stroke
By Ryan Robillard | 2023 PGA of Ontario Teacher of the Year
If you’re struggling with inconsistency on the greens, you’re not alone. For many amateur golfers, putting is the quickest way to drop strokes—but also one of the most frustrating parts of the game.
Fortunately, small changes to your putting setup and stroke can make a big difference. These three putting tips will help you improve your setup, create a more consistent putting stroke, and start making more putts with confidence.
1. Soften Your Arms at Setup
Tension is a putting killer. When you step over the ball, your arms should be soft and relaxed, not rigid. Let your arms hang naturally along the sides of your rib cage. This encourages a smoother, more natural stroke—and prevents the putter from being manipulated by too much hand or wrist action.
✅ Key thought: Let your arms rest gently along your sides, like they’re just hanging from your shoulders.
2. Match Your Palms in the Grip
An overlooked but critical putting tip: your putting grip should have both palms facing each other. This helps your forearms stay square and keeps your elbows in a neutral position against your ribcage.
When your grip is mismatched, your elbows may flare outward—causing unwanted movement and inconsistency in your stroke. A square grip builds stability, especially under pressure.
✅ Check this: Are your elbows pointing in towards your body or flaring out? Palms facing each other helps fix that.
3. Start With the Putter, Not the Body
One of the best ways to improve your putting setup is to start by setting the putter behind the ball, not by stepping in and adjusting your feet first.
Once the putter face is aimed, then build your stance around it. From there, check your grip and arm position. This habit improves alignment and helps eliminate setup errors that lead to missed putts.
✅ Checklist:
- Putter face behind the ball
- Palms facing each other
- Arms soft along your sides
Final Thoughts
These adjustments may seem simple, but they’re powerful. A more relaxed setup, a square putting grip, and the right sequence can all lead to a more consistent putting stroke and better results on the green.
Whether you’re working on your golf putting setup at home or grinding through short putts on the practice green, start with these fundamentals. You’ll be surprised how quickly you stop missing putts and start making more of them.
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