Golf guide
How to putt: beginner tips and drills
To putt, stand comfortably, hold the putter lightly and rock the shoulders like a pendulum so the putter moves smoothly back and through. Focus on speed first, since a ball that finishes near the hole makes the next putt easy.
Why putting deserves practice time
Putting is rolling the ball along the green toward the cup, using a putter. It is often the most-used part of the game, because every hole ends with at least one putt. It also does not need power, which makes it a great place for young players of any size to improve quickly. A few minutes of putting practice often does more for a beginner's scores than another bucket of full swings.
The putting setup
- Stand comfortably with feet about shoulder width apart, or a little narrower.
- Bend slightly from the hips so the eyes are close to over the ball.
- Hold the putter lightly with both hands working together. Many players choose a grip that keeps the hands even.
- Keep the lower body quiet. The shoulders and arms rock gently like a pendulum.
- Put the ball slightly forward of the middle of the stance, or where your coach suggests.
The stroke
A simple putting stroke is a smooth swing back and through, with the putter head moving close to the ground. The follow-through should be about as long as the backswing. Many coaches teach this idea: a longer putt means a longer swing, a shorter putt means a shorter swing, and the tempo stays the same. Accelerate gently through the ball rather than jabbing at it.
Speed and line
Line is the path the ball rolls on toward the hole. Speed is how hard it is hit. Both matter, but beginners often get more benefit from working on speed first. A ball that stops near the hole on a long putt makes the next putt short and easy. This is called lag putting.
Greens are not always flat. A slope makes the ball curve. This curve is called break. A putt rolling uphill needs more speed and one rolling downhill needs less. To read a green, look at it from behind the ball and from behind the hole, and picture the path the ball will take.
Simple drills that are safe at home
- Cup practice: Roll balls into a cup, a mug laid on its side, or a small target on a carpet. Increase the distance as your child improves.
- Gate drill: Set two tees or coins just wider than the putter head and roll the ball through the gap. It trains a steady stroke.
- Stop-zone drill: Place a towel behind the target and try to stop the ball on it. This builds speed control.
- Pressure game: Challenge your child to make a certain number in a row, then reward effort rather than results.
Keep sessions short and playful. Practice putting indoors on a hard, flat surface only where it is safe. Our guide to home practice for kids has more game-style ideas.
Putting versus chipping
Putting is used on the green. Chipping is a short, low shot played from near the green that lifts the ball briefly and then rolls it toward the hole. When the ball sits on the fringe, which is the short grass around the green, some players putt and some chip. Your coach can help decide which works better. See golf clubs and the course explained for how clubs are chosen.
Putting green etiquette
- Do not step on the line of another player's putt.
- Stand still and stay quiet while someone putts.
- Repair any ball mark you made, using a repair tool.
- Do not drag the putter or the flagstick across the green.
- Walk around, not across, the area near the hole.
More on this in golf etiquette for kids and parents.
Reading a green in more detail
Reading a green sounds advanced, but even beginners can learn the basics. Walk around the putt and notice which way the ground seems to tilt. Water runs downhill, so the ball will tend to curve in that direction. Look at the surface too. Short, dry grass is usually quicker, while longer or wet grass slows the ball down. A putt on a fast green needs a gentler stroke than the same distance on a slow one, which is why players roll a few practice putts before a round to see how the greens feel. Teach your child to take one calm look, choose a path and trust it.
Once the choice is made, commit to it. Hesitating over the ball, or changing the plan in the middle of the stroke, is a common reason for weak putts. A simple rhythm helps: look at the target, look at the ball, then stroke. Many players also pick a small spot just in front of the ball on the chosen path, like a leaf mark or discolored patch, and roll the ball over it. That gives the eyes something specific to aim at, which is easier than aiming at a hole that may be several steps away.
A simple practice routine
A short putting session might begin with a few easy putts from close to the cup to build confidence, then move back a few steps, then finish with a few long lag putts to a target. End with a fun game so your child leaves smiling. Ten or fifteen relaxed minutes, a few times a week, usually beats one long, tiring session.
Common beginner mistakes
- Hitting too hard and running far past the hole.
- Leaving putts short. A ball that does not reach the hole has no chance of going in.
- Moving the body during the stroke, which changes the direction.
- Peeking too early. Keep the head still until the ball is gone.
- Only practicing short, easy putts. Mix in long ones too.
Finally, remember that even the best players miss many putts. The best attitude is patient and curious: notice what happened and try again.
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Sources and further reading
- 5 Steps to Find the Right Putting Grip for Your Game PGA of America
- Five Moves to Improve Your Posture and Your Golf Swing PGA of America
- Rules 101 USGA
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Frequently asked questions
How do you putt a golf ball?
Use a steady setup and a smooth swing of the shoulders and arms, with the putter close to the ground. Speed control matters as much as aim.
What is lag putting?
Lag putting means hitting a long putt with the goal of stopping the ball close to the hole, not necessarily making it.
How can kids practice putting at home?
Roll balls to a cup or a target on a hard, flat surface. Try gate and stop-zone drills in short, playful sessions.
What is break on a green?
Break is the curve a ball takes on a sloped green. Look at the slope from behind the ball and the hole to picture the path.
Is putting different from chipping?
Yes. Putting rolls the ball along the green with a putter, while chipping is a short shot from near the green that briefly lifts the ball.