When it comes to putting, I have struggled with missing short putts in the past. It can be incredibly frustrating to line up a putt, feel confident in your stroke, and then watch as the ball veers off course and misses the hole by inches. After some reflection and analysis of my putting technique, I have come to realize that one of the main reasons I miss these short putts is due to improper putter face alignment.
It’s easy to get caught up in the mechanics of the putting stroke – the grip, the posture, the pendulum-like motion. However, if the putter face isn’t aligned correctly with the hole, all of those other factors become irrelevant. The direction in which the putter face is pointing at impact is crucial in determining the ball’s path.
I have noticed that I often forget to aim at the target when setting up for a putt. Instead, my focus is on the stroke itself and making sure everything feels smooth and consistent. This lack of attention to alignment is a common mistake among amateur golfers, and it can have a significant impact on putting accuracy.
When the putter face is not aligned properly, even the smallest deviation can cause the ball to miss the hole. A slight misalignment of just a few degrees can result in a missed putt from only a few feet away. This is especially true for short putts, where any error in alignment is magnified due to the shorter distance traveled by the ball.
To improve my putting accuracy, I have made a conscious effort to prioritize putter face alignment during my setup routine. Before addressing the ball, I take a moment to visually assess the line from the ball to the hole. I then align the putter face so that it is square to that line, ensuring that the face is neither open nor closed.
In addition to visual alignment, I have also found it helpful to use alignment aids on the putter itself. Many putters have alignment lines or dots on the top of the clubhead, which can serve as a helpful guide for lining up the putter face. By using these aids, I can more easily ensure that the putter face is aligned correctly with the target.
Practicing proper putter face alignment is essential for improving putting accuracy. It may not be the most glamorous aspect of the putting game, but it is undoubtedly one of the most important. By focusing on alignment and taking the time to aim at the target, amateur golfers like myself can greatly increase the chances of making those short putts and lowering our scores on the greens.