Golf Putting Tips for Short Putts

Why Short Putts Matter

Many golfers spend hours practicing long putts but neglect short ones. Yet statistics show that making putts inside six feet has one of the biggest impacts on lowering scores.

Short putts require:

• Excellent alignment
• A repeatable stroke
• Proper posture
• Confidence
• Good pace control

Unlike long putts, distance control is less important than starting the ball on the intended line.

Perfect Your Putting Posture

A consistent putting posture creates a repeatable stroke.

Stand Balanced

Distribute your weight evenly between both feet. Avoid leaning too much toward your toes or heels. A balanced stance helps keep the putter moving naturally.

Bend From the Hips

Rather than hunching your back, hinge slightly from your hips. Keep your spine relatively straight while allowing your arms to hang comfortably.

Slight Knee Flex

Your knees should be slightly bent—not locked. This athletic position improves stability throughout the stroke.

Eyes Over the Ball

Many instructors recommend positioning your eyes directly over or just inside the target line. This makes it easier to visualize the intended path of the putt.

A simple test is to drop a golf ball from your lead eye. If it lands on or just inside the putting line, your setup is generally in a good position.

Build a Solid Putting Grip

There is no single perfect grip, but consistency is key.

Popular putting grips include:

• Traditional reverse overlap
• Cross-handed (left-hand low)
• Claw grip
• Arm lock (where permitted under the Rules of Golf)

Whichever grip you choose:

• Hold the putter lightly.
• Avoid excessive wrist movement.
• Keep your hands working together.

Too much grip pressure often creates tension, making the stroke jerky.

Align the Putter First

One of the most valuable golf putting tips for short putts is to align the putter face before setting your feet.

The putter face determines the starting direction of the ball more than the swing path.

Follow this routine:

1. Read the putt.
2. Pick a target a few inches in front of the ball.
3. Aim the putter face at that target.
4. Build your stance around the putter.

This simple habit improves accuracy significantly.

Keep the Stroke Simple

Short putts do not require power.

Focus on:

• Rocking your shoulders
• Keeping the wrists quiet
• Accelerating smoothly through impact
• Maintaining a square putter face

Think of the stroke as a pendulum rather than a hit.

Many missed short putts occur because golfers “jab” at the ball instead of making a smooth motion.

Control Your Tempo

Good tempo leads to consistency.

Avoid:

• Rushing the backswing
• Decelerating into impact
• Overthinking mechanics during the stroke

A steady rhythm helps your body repeat the same motion every time.

Some golfers silently count “one-two” during the stroke:

• One = backswing
• Two = follow-through

This encourages smooth acceleration.

Read the Green Carefully

Even a three-foot putt can break.

Before putting:

• Look from behind the ball.
• Look from behind the hole.
• Notice slopes.
• Watch how water would naturally flow.
• Pay attention to grain if playing on Bermuda grass.

Never assume a short putt is perfectly straight.

Commit to Your Line

One of the biggest reasons golfers miss short putts is indecision.

Once you’ve selected your line:

• Trust it.
• Commit fully.
• Avoid making last-second adjustments.

Confidence is often just as important as technique.

Keep Your Head Still

Many golfers lift their head too early to watch the ball.

Instead:

• Listen for the ball to fall into the hole.
• Hold your finish briefly.
• Let your shoulders complete the stroke.

Keeping your head steady improves solid contact.

Accelerate Through the Ball

A common mistake is slowing the putter before impact.

Instead:

• Make a controlled backswing.
• Continue accelerating through the ball.
• Finish naturally.

The follow-through should generally be similar in length to the backswing.

Practice Short Putts Regularly

Improvement comes from repetition.

Useful drills include:

Circle Drill

Place six to ten balls in a circle around the hole from three feet away.

Your goal:

Make every putt before ending the drill.

Gate Drill

Place two tees slightly wider than your putter head.

Practice stroking the putter through the gate without touching the tees.

This improves face control.

Tee Gate Ball Drill

Position two tees just wider than the golf ball.

Putt through the gate to improve start-line accuracy.

Develop a Consistent Pre-Putt Routine

Professional golfers use routines to eliminate doubt.

An effective routine may include:

• Reading the putt
• One or two practice strokes
• Aligning the putter
• Setting your feet
• Looking at the target
• Making the stroke

Keep your routine the same on every short putt.

Stay Mentally Strong

Short putts often become difficult because of pressure.

Helpful mental tips include:

• Focus on the process, not the outcome.
• Take one final look at the hole.
• Breathe naturally.
• Trust your practice.
• Accept that even professionals occasionally miss.

Confidence grows through consistent repetition.

Common Mistakes on Short Putts

Avoid these frequent errors:

Looking Up Too Soon

This changes your posture and often pulls the putter off line.

Too Much Wrist Action

The shoulders should control the stroke.

Poor Alignment

Even a perfectly struck putt misses if the face starts offline.

Gripping Too Tightly

Tension reduces feel and consistency.

Rushing

Take your time without overthinking.

Basic Rules for Short Putts

Understanding the Rules of Golf can prevent unnecessary penalties.

Marking Your Ball

You may mark and lift your ball on the putting green before cleaning it or replacing it.

Repairing Damage

Players may repair:

• Ball marks
• Spike marks
• Shoe damage
• Animal damage

Repairing these imperfections before putting is allowed.

Accidentally Moving the Ball

If you accidentally move your ball on the putting green, simply replace it without penalty under the current Rules of Golf.

Flagstick

You may:

• Leave the flagstick in.
• Have it attended.
• Remove it.

Choose whichever option gives you the most confidence.

Touching the Putting Line

Most accidental touching of the putting green is permitted under modern Rules of Golf, provided it does not improve the conditions for your stroke beyond what the rules allow.

Equipment Can Help

Although technique matters most, the right equipment can improve confidence.

Consider:

• A putter fitted to your height.
• Proper loft and lie angle.
• A grip that feels comfortable.
• Golf balls that provide consistent feel on the greens.

Professional club fitting can help many golfers hole more short putts.

Final Tips for Better Short Putting

Improving your short putting doesn’t require complicated swing changes. Instead, focus on mastering the fundamentals:

• Maintain balanced putting posture.
• Keep your eyes over the ball.
• Aim the putter face carefully.
• Use light grip pressure.
• Rock your shoulders.
• Keep your head still.
• Accelerate smoothly through impact.
• Trust your chosen line.
• Practice from three to six feet regularly.
• Develop a repeatable pre-putt routine.

The best golfers in the world understand that short putts are won through consistency, confidence, and disciplined practice. By applying these golf putting tips for short putts, you’ll become more reliable on the greens, eliminate costly missed opportunities, and lower your scores over time. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, mastering short putts is one of the fastest ways to improve your overall golf game.