How To Line Up Putts In Golf? The 6-Step Process

Putting is one of the most important parts of golf. Sinking those must-make putts can be the difference between shooting par or bogey.

While driving distance and consistent iron play are crucial, nothing hurts a round of golf more than missed short putts.

Lining up putts correctly is essential for any golfer looking to lower their scores. Proper alignment gets the ball starting on the right line which leads to more made putts.

With a few simple setup steps and reading the green tactics, you can dramatically improve your putting alignment and convert more of those 4-6 footers.

Here is how to line up putts like a pro golfer:

Find Your Dominant Eye

The first step to proper putt alignment is determining your dominant eye. This is the eye that takes precedence when you look at an object. About 65% of people are right-eye dominant.

To find out which eye is dominant, make a triangle with your hands by overlapping your thumbs and forefingers.

Hold your hands up to your face and center an object in the distance inside the triangle.

Close one eye at a time. The open eye that keeps the object centered is your dominant eye.

This eye should be positioned directly over the ball during your setup. Close or cover your non-dominant eye if needed to reinforce this.

Use Alignment Aids

Most pros use an alignment aid to help them line up putts accurately and consistently.

This can be as simple as a line on your ball or marking your ball with the line pointed at the desired start line.

But many tour players use more precise aids like a SeeMore putter that has alignment built into the head, or laser putt alignment tools.

Find an alignment aid that gives you the confidence you are aiming correctly.

Read the Breaks and Grain

Once you have your dominant eye lined up over the start line, it’s time to read the green. Study the slope and grain to determine the amount and direction of the break so you can adjust your alignment accordingly.

Remember, putts don’t always break toward the lowest point. Factor in grain direction as greens usually break towards the grain.

Use the “plumb bob” method by getting in your setup position and holding the putter vertically to help see the amount of break.

Pick an Intermediate Target

Pros rarely just look at the hole when lining up a putt. They pick an intermediate target in the line they read along the way to the hole.

This can be a discolored blade of grass, a spike mark, or a subtle break in the slope.

Picking an intermediate target in your line keeps you aligned better and gives you a more consistent pace.

It also helps sink those putts that hit the hole but don’t drop by giving you a bigger target area.

Take Practice Strokes

Once aligned, great putters reinforce their proper setup by taking practice strokes while staring at the intermediate target to ingrain the path and line.

Keep your eyes and dominant hand steady throughout the stroke. This trains your eyes, shoulders, hands, and body to move as one unit along the desired path.

Practice strokes with proper motion also promote solid impact to start the ball on your intended line.

Take enough practice strokes so each one replicates the exact tempo and stroke you plan to make.

Trust Your Alignment

After going through your pre-putt routine to get aligned properly, it’s crucial to trust your read and setup.

Second-guessing yourself or making last-minute adjustments after alignment leads to mis-hits and poor starting lines.

Be confident that your practiced routine will get you aligned correctly.

Then stroke the putt with commitment focusing only on your intermediate target. This trust will lead to more putts starting on-line and finding the bottom of the cup.

Conclusion:

Lining up putts like a professional golfer requires precision and consistency. Follow these 6 tips to align your putts correctly every time: determine your dominant eye, use alignment aids, read breaks and grain thoroughly, pick intermediate targets in your line, take repetitive practice strokes, and trust your alignment.

Implementing a putting routine that optimizes alignment will take strokes off your score by leading to more made putts. With proper setup and practice, you can line up putts with the confidence of a pro.