If you’re anything like me, making short putts feels totally different from putting across the green, and missing an easy one can leave you replaying the stroke in your head long after the round. Putting brings out the best and worst in a golfer. It’s not just about natural touch or “feeling it,” but about avoiding a bunch of little mistakes that sneak into most players’ games. I’ve picked up a fair share of bad putting habits, but also learned practical ways to fix them. So here’s a full breakdown of the most common putting mistakes and straight-up advice on how you can actually correct them.
Why Putting Mistakes Matter on the Course
Putting looks simple, but it’s one of golf’s hardest skills to master, and one of the fastest ways for strokes to pile up. Even small errors with setup, grip, or focus can turn makeable putts into frustrations. PGA stats show that even pros miss about 50% of their putts from 8 feet. For regular golfers, it can feel even tougher.
When you clean up putting mistakes, it’s like giving yourself a second chance on every green. Making a few extra short putts, cutting down three-putts, and gaining confidence are all realistic if you know what’s going wrong and how to correct it. Good putting isn’t about perfection; it’s about consistent, repeatable moves and staying out of your own way.
Most Frequent Putting Mistakes, and How to Fix Each One
I see golfers (including myself) fighting through some of the same putting struggles round after round. These are the ones that pop up most, plus details on how to tackle each issue head-on.
- Poor Alignment: The face isn’t square at setup or your body lines are off.
- Bad Grip Pressure: Too tight or too loose, messing with feel and control.
- Inconsistent Tempo: Fast or jabby strokes throw off contact and distance.
- Looking Up Too Early: Peeking at the hole before finishing the stroke.
- Mishitting the Center: Striking the toe or heel of the putter.
- Ignoring Green Reads: Not paying enough attention to slope or grain.
Tuning Up Your Setup
So many putting mistakes start before you even swing the putter. Alignment and grip both set the stage. Here’s some practical advice from my rounds and practice sessions:
Alignment: Lining Up the Right Way
Most missed putts (especially short ones) trace back to poor aim. Half the time I think I’m aimed at the hole, I’m actually left or right by a couple of inches. To fix this, try these steps:
- Set your putter face behind the ball pointing directly at your line or target spot.
- Square your shoulders, hips, and feet up so they’re parallel to your intended line, not at the hole, but along the start path.
- Use a line on your ball or putter to check for consistency.
After setting up, take one last quick look at your target and trust your line. Practicing with alignment tools on the practice green reinforces good habits.
Grip Pressure: Finding the Sweet Spot
It’s pretty common to choke the putter when you’re nervous or loosen up so much that the head wobbles. I like to use a simple “1 to 10” scale for grip pressure—aim for a 4 or 5. You want control without tension. Take a few practice strokes, starting with a normal grip, then deliberately grip tighter and lighter to see what feels best. You’ll probably notice rolling the ball most purely at that softer, neutral midpoint. Try doing this with your eyes closed during practice to get a feel for what true relaxed control is like.
Building a Repeatable Stroke (and Fixing Timing Issues)
Tempo and contact are huge. Getting too ‘jabby’ or decelerating means you leave putts short and off your intended line. Here’s what’s helped me:
Smooth, Even Tempo
Think “tick-tock” or count to keep your backswing and follow-through even. Avoid quick, snatchy moves or pausing at the ball. Practicing with a metronome app or just listening to a steady count in your head helps a lot. You want your putting stroke to feel the same speed every time, not rushed, not lazy.
Some players even tap their foot gently to a steady rhythm while practicing, or picture a grandfather clock tick to help sync the motion. Consistent tempo really helps long putts especially.
Striking the Sweet Spot
Mishits (hitting the ball off the heel or toe) kill both line and distance. The classic fix involves placing two tees just wider than your putter head and practicing strokes without hitting the tees. At home, you can lay two coins down the width of your sweet spot and try to pass between them. After some practice, hitting the center gets automatic.
Try to focus on keeping your head steady and a soft grip through impact. Smacking the sweet spot is the key to making the ball roll end-over-end and track straight to your target, especially on fast greens.
Common Mental Mistakes That Sabotage Your Stroke
I see players (and, honestly, I catch myself too) making mental errors more than physical ones with putting. Here’s what trips golfers up mentally, plus some fixes that help you trust yourself a bit more.
Peeking Too Early
Looking up before finishing the stroke is a classic mistake. It usually happens when you really want to know if the ball is ‘in’, but early peeking makes you come out of the stroke. I count “one-one-thousand” after contact before lifting my head. Or, pick a small blade of grass under the ball to look at until your follow-through is totally done.
Not Trusting Your Read
Changing your mind halfway through a stroke, or during your setup, creates doubt and usually means a miss. I’ve learned to stick with my first read unless something obvious is wrong. Walk to the low side of the putt, commit to your line, and go. Reacting rather than overthinking leads to better results.
Green Reading Mistakes, and How to Work Through Them
Ignoring the break or grain, or just playing a putt “straight at it,” rarely works outside three feet. Even slight slopes will move the ball more than you expect. Taking a bit more time to read greens pays off fast. Here’s how I break it down:
- Walk around your putt, looking from both sides, down the line and directly behind the hole.
- Notice any slopes, high and low spots, and where water might run off the green.
- Imagine a little river, where would water naturally flow? That’s probably where your putt will break.
- If the course has grainy grass, check to see if the blades are shiny (down grain) or dark (into the grain). The grain can slow or speed up a putt by a foot or two.
Trust your gut on the first read, then stick with it. If you constantly miss on one side, try adjusting your aim more than you think you need to.
Quick Reference Table: Putting Mistake Fixes
| Mistake | Correction Tip |
|---|---|
| Poor Alignment | Square your putter to the target and check body lines for every stroke. |
| Grip Too Tight | Relax hands until it feels just firm enough to control, but not tense. |
| Tempo Inconsistency | Practice with a “tick-tock” rhythm and keep your backswing and follow-through even. |
| Peeking Early | Keep eyes down through the stroke, and look up only after the putter finishes. |
| Missing Sweet Spot | Practice with a tee gate or coins to groove center strikes. |
| Ignoring Break or Grain | Circle the putt, read from multiple angles, and trust your guess. |
When Equipment Does Matter for Putting
Some putting woes come from using a putter that just doesn’t fit your stroke or feels off in your hands. If you’ve worked on your fundamentals but putting still feels awkward, consider:
- Testing different putter lengths and grips
- Getting a putter with more or less toe hang based on your natural stroke arc
- Using alignment aids like sight lines or balls with visible stripes
A simple putter fitting at your local pro shop or golf store can help fix problems that technique alone can’t solve. Even switching your grip style (like trying crosshand or claw grips) can smooth the way for better contact and confidence without changing your entire stroke.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I miss so many short putts in actual rounds?
Short putts get missed mainly because nerves and doubt creep in during real play. Practicing your routine and setup helps you stay calm and focused, making those putts more reliable under pressure.
How do I stop three-putting?
Three-putts usually come from poor distance control or green reading. Spend more time on long putt speed and break, and use a tee gate drill to improve center contact for short putts.
Does the putter or ball really make a difference?
The right putter and a feel you like matter, especially if your setup is correct. Switching to a different ball can also change distance control, so try out options to see what fits your touch.
Is it better to stand tall or crouch lower when putting?
This depends on your comfort and what lets you see the line clearly. Try both upright and more crouched setups during practice to get a sense for which helps you judge lines and start the ball on your intended path.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning up your putting game isn’t about making everything perfect. It’s a process of getting a few basics right and building confidence over time. Focusing on setup, grip, tempo, and trusting your reads means you’ll make more putts and walk off the green feeling proud of your efforts. Remember, a little bit of practice, a lot of patience, and knowing that most golfers are dealing with the same stuff can go a long way. Steadier putting means lower scores, and a way better day out on the course. Next time you’re on the green, use these tips to keep your putting routine sharp—and you’ll see results sooner than you think.