Golf Putting Instructions and Tips - Putting Alignment

Stand 10 to 15 feet behind the ball to determined the target line after take into consideration of green condition such as unusual bumps and slope.

One last thing to take into account is that golf greens are not perfectly flat surfaces. Allowances have to be made for the slope of the green between  the ball and the hole as well as any unusual  bumps or undulations that might intervene.

The best way to assess the situation is from a position about 10 to 15 feet behind the ball. Stoop down low with the ball directly between you and the hole. Now looking at the slope of the green, imagine how the ball will roll if it is stroked directly at the hole. If you visualize the ball drifting ten feet down the slope from the hole, then aim ten feet up the slope.

Once the target line has been determined, pick a spot about four to six inches in front of the ball along that line, a discolored blade of grass, an imperfection in the green, or an imaginary spot created by placing your putter-head in front of the ball and align your putter-head, feet, hips, and shoulders with that spot. Then, simply take as short backstroke as necessary and accelerate the putter-head over the spot. Remember to keep the head still and be patient regarding seeing the result. Just listen for the ball to drop in the hole.

Golf Tips. Player preparing to stoke the ball with a putter from the edge of an undulating green. Feet and the initial path of the ball are aligned toward the tree trunk in the middle of the picture, well left of the flagstick. After the ball is stroked toward the tree trunk, observe how it curves left to right toward the hole.