The 3 Most Common Putting Mistakes

Putting accounts for roughly 40% of your strokes in a typical round of golf, making it arguably the most important aspect of the game to master. Yet many amateurs continue to make the same fundamental mistakes on the greens.

Let's examine the three most costly putting errors and how to fix them:

Mistake #1: Inconsistent Setup

Many golfers change their setup from putt to putt without realizing it. Varying eye position, stance width, and ball position makes it impossible to develop a consistent stroke.

The Solution:

• Position your eyes directly over or slightly inside the ball line
• Keep your feet shoulder-width apart
• Position the ball slightly forward of center in your stance
• Use alignment aids during practice to ensure consistency

Practice drill: Place a mirror on the ground to check your eye position, or set up between two alignment sticks to ensure consistent foot positioning.

Mistake #2: Poor Distance Control

Amateurs often focus too much on line and not enough on speed. Statistics show that distance control is more important than perfect aim, especially on longer putts.

The Solution:

• Practice the "ladder drill" - putt to different distances (3, 6, 9, 12 feet) with the same stroke rhythm
• Focus on a spot beyond the hole during practice to develop feel
• Learn to adjust the length of your backswing rather than changing your tempo

Practice drill: Place tees at 10, 20, 30, and 40 feet away. Hit five putts to each distance, trying to stop the ball within 2 feet past each tee.

Mistake #3: Decelerating Through Impact

Fear of hitting the ball too far leads many golfers to decelerate their putting stroke, causing inconsistent contact and distance control problems.

The Solution:

• Develop a stroke with equal length backswing and follow-through
• Focus on maintaining consistent tempo
• Practice with a metronome app to develop rhythm

Practice drill: Say "tick-tock" as you putt, with "tick" representing the backswing and "tock" the follow-through. Ensure both words take equal time.

Putting Fundamentals Checklist

Use this checklist before every practice session:

• Grip: Light pressure, consistent hand position
• Stance: Shoulder width, stable lower body
• Eye position: Over or slightly inside the ball line
• Ball position: Slightly forward of center
• Tempo: Consistent rhythm regardless of putt length

Eliminating these three common mistakes will help you become a more consistent putter and save several strokes each round. Remember that great putting requires both proper technique and confident execution.