MY GOLF BLUEPRINT

Short putts: aim, start line and commitment

A blade putter lined up behind a golf ball on a putting green. — Photo: Peter Jacob Drew / Pexels

Short putts reward a clear start line and a stroke you can repeat. A miss is information about read, aim or delivery rather than proof of a broken technique.

Work through it

Choose a nearly straight short putt.
Aim the face and then set the feet.
Use a start-line gate during practice.
Keep the same routine when you remove the gate.

A practical example

A breaking three-foot putt can miss despite a centered strike. Your gate test helps distinguish that read problem from a start-line error.

Practice task

Putt five balls from three positions around a hole. Count makes and note whether misses started on the chosen line. Progress by changing slope, not only distance.

Common mistakes

Do not rush after a miss or force the ball toward the hole with a last-second hand action. Avoid practicing only one straight line.

Choose a comfortable movement and change one variable at a time. Stop if a movement causes pain; a qualified coach can adapt the task to your mobility and experience.