Following you will find some of the very best tips for putting that will benefit beginners as well as seasoned players.
These tips are just some of the advice from Geoff Mangum's Putting Zone - You'll find links to Geoff's site and more info about putting....and do not FORGET to come back to golfnvacation.com.
GREEN & PUTT READING
A Slo-Mo Read for Seeing Enough Break Speed determines break, and optimal speed at the hole determines optimal break; the optimal break is obviously between the fastest speed that will drop and the slowest speed that will just get the ball to the hole, and is a lot closer to the slowest than the fastest to make more of the hole available for capturing the ball and avoiding long comebacks.
Crunchy, Toasty, Tasty, Soppy Greens Green speed is much more than just mow height and grass type -- and much of green speed is related to the water content of the green and it's turf packing.
Reading Break: Zero in on the Zero Break Line If the green surface for the putt is basically flat although tilted, you can find one aim spot for any putt of the same length by identifying the fall line through the hole (the "zero break line" or ZBL) where all putts up or down are perfectly straight, walk around the hole in a semicircle from your ball to a sideon putt to the hole of the same length that is perpendicular to the ZBL (and hence has no elevation change up or down from there to the hole), and visualize this putt at regular speed to imagine how far below the hole such a putt would roll low and cross the ZBL; the aim spot for all putts of the same length is that far above the hole along the ZBL.
Reading Putts as Revealed by Going Behind the Hole If a putt's break seems elusive, try going behind the hole for a read, but be careful that you visualize the ball's roll as coming towards you and as slowing to drop-speed in this final entry section of the putt.
Hit the Groove through the Curve To get a more definite sense of the right speed for taking a break without blowing through the break, visualize the final section of the putt curve as a race track banked so that anything faster than the proper speed jumps the track and then deliver the ball with enough speed to keep the ball on the track through the break.
Plumb Bobbing is Plumb Crazy ... Mostly Plumb bobbing only "works" (in a fashion) if you aim the hanging puttershaft down your impression of the startline, so it only confirms what you already sense, and doesn't make you a better reader of the break or make your sensing of the startline any sharper.
PRACTICE
Putting Practice Pointers The difference between swatting balls across a practice green and sharpening your putting skills is mostly working on something specific in your putting, whether it be targeting, reading, setup, routine, stroke mechanics, or something purely psychological.
Indoor Putting Exercises Indoor putting practice and drills need not always be about stroking a ball into a drinkglass, and your putting would be well served to add some exercises that sharpen relevant perceptual skills and specific stroke movements.
The "Report Card" Game for Short Putting Skill Try the Report Card Game to sharpen up short-putting skills under pressure with readily understandable feedback in a reasonably short, well-defined exercise.
 Baseball Putting In this game for two players, test your skills under pressure to sink a 15-footer to strike out your opponent with the bases loaded, tying run on third, and the count 3 and 2!
EQUIPMENT
The Long and Short of Putter Length and Lie Don't let the putter wag the putee; figure out a setup that is best for a good stroke, and then fit the putter to your needs, or else you'll get stuck with "average golferitis."
PHYSCOLOGY
Bubbleheaded Putting
Thinking is Stinking! but my advice to "use your brain" stands. A great deal of the brain has nothing to do with that little voice we use to think with. Using the brain to putt means "shut up and putt" -- not bothering yourself with pointless thoughts, concerns, worries about the putt -- and the end result is your conscious awareness is empty except for the moment itself in a clarity that allows your brain-body to perform at its highest level.
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