There are some keys to success when you are on the putting green, and we are going to go over those. When out on the course playing golf and you want to make more putts, you must keep your putting system and your routine as simple as possible. If you ever watch what the pro's do on TV when they are putting, you should notice that putting is the part of the game that is totally a personal thing. This is really the way that it should be.



One thing that you have to understand, is that there is really not a right or wrong way for you to have to setup or stand over the ball. For example, just look at how Sam Snead used to putt, so you can see what I mean. Try and not have any mechanical thought running through your head when you are about to putt. Your only concern should be the pace that you want the ball to roll at and how far to the left or to the right of the hole you want the ball to start at.

Try and start to think about what you do when you putt this way. Try to get the ball as close to the hole as you possibly can. There is a good part to this thinking and it is really a nice part. If the ball goes in the hole, that is a bonus. But if you could get rid of those 3 putts, your score is going to go down. If you are an avid golfer as I am, and you have watched the some of the best putters on the tours, you will notice that there have been some really different and radical styles. This just shows you that they all work, if you let them.

That tells you that you can do whatever is comfortable for you.

Here are some putting tips that should help you.

1.) One thing that you must understand, is that before you ever start your putting stroke, you must feel comfortable and be relaxed over the ball. When all of your muscles are tense, your grip pressure is too tight, you have to understand that your chances if making a successful putt are not very good. This is not what we want. So, first thing to remember is to stay relaxed.

2.) To make more putts is really not that hard. You must hit the ball in the middle of the putter face in order to make more. When this happens on occasion, you know, you felt it and you heard it. It felt good too. This must be your number one priority, which is to hit the ball in the middle of the putter face.

The pro's will tell you that most putts that are missed, whether they are short or right/left of the hole was due to the fact that the ball was not struck in the middle of the putter face. Not because you chose the wrong line to putt the ball on or the wrong speed for that line. Not at all. So, hit the ball in the middle of the putter and make more putts.

3.) Try not to change your putting stroke to often, just try to hit the ball solidly each time.

4.) One of the main keys is your tempo - back and through. It doesn't matter if your tempo is fast, slow or in between, just be consistent with it back and then through.

5.) You must stay down and thru the putt. Don't get anxious and want to see what the ball is doing. You don't need to. You must not PEEK. Have you ever noticed that when you look up too early, you usually watch the ball miss the hole. I know that is what happens when I look up or peek. Another reason that a lot of putts miss the cups is because you got anxious and you were quick at picking your head up.

This will also cause you not to hit the ball squarely in the center of the putter face. Don't forget, this is a very natural occurrence to want to see where the ball is going before it's gone. Everybody has this problem even the pros. Try this, count to one after you strike the ball in order for you to remain down and through the putt.

Try watching Anika and Tiger. They are good examples of great putting and keeping your head down. They can have a 10ft. putt and they will barely see the ball going in the hole. This is really your clue to what you need to be doing, which is keeping your head down. When you start to keep your head down longer your other body parts are going to do the same thing and stay down and through the putt longer. You will start to make more putts for sure.

By following these guidelines and remember that the object is to see how close you can get the ball to the hole, and you should see improvement in your putting.