Mastering Striking Techniques: Posture, Stroke, and Impact Strategies
Nail your putting game like a pro and watch your golf scores plummet! The following expert tips from top Golf Monthly coaches, Alex Elliott and Neil Plimmer, will help you ace those long and short putts.
The Right Technique for Confidence on the Greens
A lot of putt success boils down to mastering three key areas: green reading, distance control, and efficient putting practice. Follow these simple steps to get the edge on your opponents.
Start with the Essentials: The Putting Technique Checklist
- Straight arms: Tuck your elbows into your sides, with your triceps and biceps touching your rib cage throughout the swing.
- A natural grip: Let your arms hang down first, then grip the putter with palms facing.
- Perfect ball placement: Position the ball one grip width ahead of your sternum for a clean hit.
- Improved accuracy: Use practice drills like the ones outlined below for better distance control.
Alex Elliott's Putting Tips
With three years under his belt as a caddy on the European Tour, Alex Elliott shares his expertise on putting technique via social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube.
Palms Facing
Hold the putter in your palms, with palms facing each other for a more neutral grip. This position prevents one hand from becoming overly dominant during putting.
Ball Position
Place the ball one grip width ahead of your sternum (measureable when practicing or on the course). This forward position encourages a consistent roll on impact.
Elbows Tucked In
Feel your elbows tucked into the sides of your body as you putt, with your bicep and tricep in contact with your rib cage. This keeps everything connected for a uniform stroke.
Neil Plimmer's Putting Principles
Neil Plimmer, with over 20 years as a golf pro, offers insights into posture, rotational strokes, and strike consistency.
Proper posture
Avoid an arching putter head during the backstroke by connecting your elbows to your midriff and letting your arms hang naturally.
Rotate, don't rock
Move your rib cage around your spine during the stroke. Maintaining a connection between your arms and body creates greater consistency and prevents a back-and-forth rocking motion.
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Practice Putting Drills
This elbows-pinching drill, as shown in the image below, improves consistency and diales in your distance control. Place a golf club under each armpit, allow the clubs to cross like an 'X' in front of you. Grip your putter normally and hit some putts towards a target. Ensure the middle of the 'X' stays in the middle of your sternum throughout the stroke.
Obtain the perfect ball placement by positioning it one grip width ahead of your sternum, as this encourages a consistent roll on impact. For a more neutral grip, hold the putter in your palms with palms facing each other, preventing one hand from dominating during putting.
