Golf Putting Instructions and Tips - Putting Swing Part 1

Once the proper grip, stance, and body position have been assumed, just simple swing the clubhead toward the hole.

Once the proper grip, stance, and body position have been assumed, the only thing remaining is to swing the putter. At a basic level, the fundamental principle applies to the putter as it does to other clubs - simple swing the clubhead toward the hole. A few caveats may be in order, however, to facilitate success with what is more commonly called the putting stroke instead of swing.

Take the putter-head back only as short a distance as necessary to give the ball an accelerated stroke toward the hole. Acceleration means that the putter-head should be picking up speed as it moves through the ball toward the hole. The backstroke may be as short as three or four inches on one - to four foot putts, or as long as 10 to 20 inches on putts covering 30 to 100 feet. But notice that even 20 inches is not a very long backstroke.

Golf Tip. A common mistake of poor putters is to take the putter-head back too far and then try to slow it down as the putter-head approaches the ball. This deceleration results in considerable inconsistency, particularly with regards to the distance the ball travels. The proper technique is exactly the opposite of the above - a short backstroke with the putter head picking up speed as it moves through the ball. An exaggerated image regarding this acceleration of the putter head through the ball might be that of shuffleboard, where the disk is shoved with increasing speed down the court after no backstroke at all. Golf rules require at least a minimal backstroke, but keep it as short as possible on putts. An extended follow through to toward the hole might also encourage acceleration.