How to control speed and direction on putts

Your putter is the most frequently used club in your bag. Putting is the easiest part of golf to master (the smallest swing) and has the most individual styles. Solid putters have "touch," which is an intimate understanding of judgment (a good read) and execution (a good putt). This comes from solid fundamentals and practice. Your goal is to say, "I controlled the speed and direction of that putt exactly as I wanted."

Check your body setup. There are many putting body setups. Choose one that is comfortable. Here is a basic style: Align shoulders, chest, hips, knees and feet parallel to the target. Place your feet shoulder width apart, your weight evenly balanced on your feet. Position the ball in the middle of your stance.

Check your grip. Choose a soft, firm, comfortable grip. In a full swing you grip for power, in a putt you grip for touch. Most common is the traditional grip (front hand forefinger on the fingers of the back hand, thumbs on flat part of handle, palms facing each other). Another choice is the cross-hand grip; it puts the front hand below the back hand and minimizes wrist movement. A less common choice is the split-hand grip, a gap (distance varies) between the hands: the front hand guides the putter, the back hand powers the putter. For short putts (less than 10 feet), choke up on your grip for better control.

Check your club setup. At setup and impact, the palm of your back hand and putterface should be square to shot path, your hands even with the putter head.

Check your mental setup. Visualize "the putt path." Believe "I will make this putt." This works when you have solid fundamentals.

Check your stroke. There are two main choices: straight and arc. Straight (shoulders rock like a pendulum) is straight backstroke and straight forward stroke, eyes over ball. Arc (shoulders rotate minimally around spine) is a slightly inside backstroke and a slightly inside forward stroke, eyes inside ball, shaft flatter angle. Some golfers use the straight stroke for short putts and the arc stroke for longer putts. No wrist action and minimal body movement. Keep head still until finished with stroke (no peaking). Backstroke and follow through should be smooth, consistent, and the same length and speed. Hit center of the putterface (sweet spot) for solid contact.