In the previous post, we covered How to Grip a Putter Correctly, ensuring you have a solid foundation for your putting technique. Now that we’ve got your grip dialed in, let’s talk about the next important aspect of your putting game: your stance. A proper stance is the foundation of a smooth, accurate putt. With the right stance, you’ll have better balance, control, and alignment as you aim for the hole. Let’s break it down step by step.
Why Your Stance Matters
Your stance directly influences your posture, balance, and stroke mechanics. If you’re standing too upright, too hunched over, or off-balance, it’ll be tough to make a consistent, smooth stroke. So, learning how to set up correctly will give you better control and make your putting feel effortless.
Key Elements of a Proper Putting Stance
Here’s how to set up your stance for maximum control and comfort:
Feet Position
- Feet shoulder-width apart: Position your feet so that they’re about shoulder-width apart. This provides stability and balance, which is essential for maintaining control over your putting stroke.
- Feet aligned with the target: Your feet should be pointing directly at the target line (the line that goes from the ball to the hole). This helps ensure your putter face remains square to the ball during the stroke.
- Slight bend in your knees: Bend your knees just a little, keeping them relaxed. This helps with stability and ensures your body is comfortable throughout the putt.
Body Alignment
- Align your body parallel to the target line: Imagine a line running from your ball to the hole. Your body should be positioned parallel to that line, from your feet to your shoulders.
- Hips and shoulders square: Ensure that your hips and shoulders are squared to the target. You don’t want to be open or closed to the target line, as that can affect the accuracy of your putt.
Ball Position
- Position the ball slightly forward: For most putts, position the ball slightly forward of center in your stance. This allows for a smoother stroke and a better follow-through.
- Don’t crowd the ball: Your eyes should be directly over the ball or just inside the line. Standing too far from or too close to the ball can disrupt your balance and alignment.
Head and Eye Position
- Head still and eyes over the ball: Keeping your head still during the stroke is key. Your eyes should be directly over the ball, which will allow you to properly align your putter face to the target.
- Look at the hole for distance control: When you’re reading a putt, take a moment to look at the hole to understand the distance. But once you’re set, keep your eyes focused on the ball until you’ve made the stroke.
Your Posture: The Right Balance
- Relax your body: Don’t tense up—especially in your shoulders and arms. A relaxed posture helps you maintain a natural flow with your putting stroke.
- Slight tilt from the hips: Bend forward from the hips, not the waist. This helps keep your back straight and gives you better control of your putting stroke. You should feel like you’re reaching forward but not straining.
- Elbows slightly bent: Allow your arms to hang naturally from your shoulders. Your elbows should be bent, not locked out, which promotes a smooth stroke.
The Ideal Putting Stance: A Quick Checklist
Here’s a quick reference guide to make sure you’ve got everything in place for your ideal stance:
| Element | How to Set It Up |
| Feet Position | Shoulder-width apart, aligned with the target line |
| Knee Position | Slight bend to keep your body relaxed and balanced |
| Body Alignment | Shoulders, hips, and feet parallel to the target line |
| Ball Position | Just slightly forward of center in your stance |
| Eyes and Head | Eyes directly over the ball, keeping your head still throughout the stroke |
| Posture | Bend from the hips with a straight back and slightly bent elbows |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When you’re just starting, it’s easy to make a few mistakes in your stance. Let’s review the common ones so you can avoid them:
| Mistake | How to Fix It |
| Standing too upright | Bend slightly from the hips and keep your back straight. |
| Feet too wide or narrow | Keep your feet shoulder-width apart for balance and control. |
| Not aligning your body | Align your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the target line. |
| Ball too far forward or back | Position the ball just slightly ahead of center in your stance. |
| Tensing up | Keep your body and grip relaxed for a smooth stroke. |
A Practice Routine for Perfecting Your Stance
Now that you understand the elements of a proper putting stance, it’s time to put it to the test. Here’s a simple drill to help reinforce the right posture and alignment:
Step-by-Step Putting Drill:
Set up: Begin by positioning the ball a few feet from the hole and taking your stance. Make sure your feet are shoulder-width apart, your body is aligned, and your head is directly over the ball.
Slow practice strokes: Without hitting the ball, practice making a few smooth strokes, focusing on your posture and the feel of the stroke.
Focus on balance: As you practice, concentrate on your balance. Feel your weight evenly distributed on the balls of your feet, not your heels or toes.
Take a shot: Now, hit the ball. Focus on your follow-through and try to keep everything in alignment.
Feedback: After each putt, ask yourself:
- Was I comfortable in my stance?
- Was my body relaxed?
- Did I maintain my posture throughout the stroke?
With consistent practice, you’ll find that your putting stance becomes second nature.
Why This All Works Together
The grip and stance are the foundation of your putting. A proper stance supports a smooth stroke and helps you make consistent putts. If your stance is off, no matter how good your grip is, your putting game can suffer.
By working on both of these fundamentals grip and stance you’ll set yourself up for more consistent, accurate putts that will lower your scores.
Conclusion
Mastering the best stance for putting is key to consistency and accuracy on the greens. By focusing on balance, alignment, and stability, you can refine your setup like a pro. Practice regularly, adjust for comfort, and maintain confidence in your stance. A strong foundation leads to smoother strokes and lower scores on the course.
Ready to take your game to the next level? In our next post, we’ll dive into how to read greens and understand the break a critical skill for sinking those tricky putts.
