Short putting
The Fundamentals of Short Putting
Build a repeatable routine inside six feet so short putts feel clear, calm, and makeable.
Start before the club moves
Short putting begins with setup and intent. Grip pressure, posture, alignment, and ball position decide how much fixing you need later. Inside six feet, small face errors matter, so your routine should make the start line obvious before you step in.
Stand behind the ball and pick a specific spot a few inches in front of it. That spot might be the center of the cup on a straight putt or a blade of grass on the high side. Once you choose it, the goal is simple: roll the ball over that mark with enough pace to hold the line.
Build a setup you can repeat
A reliable short-putting setup does not have to look fancy. It has to aim the face, quiet the body, and let the stroke return the putter squarely.
Use this checklist:
- Eyes comfortable over or just inside the ball. Do not force a posture you cannot repeat.
- Putter face aimed first. Set the face before your feet.
- Light grip pressure. Tight hands make the stroke jabby.
- Stable lower body. Let the shoulders and arms move the putter.
- Same finish length. Avoid stabbing at the ball and quitting early.
If a three-footer feels frightening, make the stroke smaller, not faster. A rushed hit often opens or closes the face at the worst moment.
Read short putts with enough respect
Short does not mean straight. On sloped greens, a four-footer can break outside the cup, especially when the hole is cut on a shoulder. Look from behind the ball, glance from the low side if you are unsure, and decide whether pace or break is the priority.
| Putt type | Better thought |
|---|---|
| Straight uphill | Firm roll at the center |
| Gentle slider | Start on the high edge and keep speed smooth |
| Downhill breaker | Softer pace with more borrow |
| Nervy three-footer | Pick the spot, breathe, and hold the finish |
Practice with pressure
The best short-putting drills create a consequence without turning practice into punishment. Try the gate drill by placing two tees just wider than your putter head and making ten strokes without touching either tee. Then move to a circle drill: place six balls around the hole at three feet and putt each one with your full routine.
For a course-ready challenge, use this ladder:
- Make three putts from three feet.
- Make two putts from four feet.
- Make one putt from five feet.
- Start over only if you miss because of a poor routine, not because one caught the edge.
Judge the routine, then the result
A good short putt starts on the intended line with committed speed. If it lips out after doing those things, learn from the read and move on. If you peek early, jab the stroke, or change your mind over the ball, that is the mistake to fix.
Putting truth: Confidence inside six feet grows fastest when your routine is the same size as the putt.
Quick recap
Aim the face first, choose a precise start spot, keep the body quiet, and roll the ball with matching pace. Short putting is not about being fearless; it is about giving a small stroke a clear job.