Perfect Putting - Which Hand Controls The Putt?

Arms and shoulders putting style

Watch a professional golf tournament and you'll see the different putting styles used by many pros. Among those putting styles is the popular arms and shoulders putting method. What role do your hands play in the arms and shoulders putting style?

When you finish reading the putt and have chosen your precise target line, ball speed and backswing length, you are ready to stroke the ball, You flex your legs a bit and address the ball. You place the putter's sole flat on the green behind the ball's sweet spot so that the alignment mark on the putter points exactly along your target line, You carefully grip the shaft with your right hand so that you feel the grip with your fingers. The V formed by your thumb and forefinger point to your right shoulder. Now you place your left hand on the shaft. You are ready to putt. Which hand controls the putt?

Forward press putting

To begin the putt your forward press a bit. You move your hands slightly forward keeping the putter blade in place. The forward press helps make sure that your hands lead the clubhead at the moment you strike the ball. After the slight forward press you begin your backswing by moving your arms and shoulders and by extension your putter. Then your downswing begins as your arms and shoulders rotate through the swing.

Right hand putting vs. left hand

Think of your hands as the connection between your arms and the putter shaft. Both hands should work together as one unit. Think of the right hand as the control hand and the left hand as the steady hand. It's sort of like dancing -- two people move together with one person in the lead.

Right hand putting drill

Try the right hand putting drill. Remove left hand and putt using only the right. Does it seem a bit awkward? Do you feel a lack of control? Practice the right handed putt until you feel a better sense of comfort and control of the putt. Now try putting with both hands, Don't grip tightly -- a firm comfortable grip is best. with your right hand having a slightly firmer grip -- your left hand less so. As you swing down through your putting stroke your arms and shoulders deliver the moving force that is flows down the shaft to the putter head.

But it is you right hand that controls the precise direction of the putt and provides a sense of feel that is essential for a perfect putt. Practice until all this comes second-nature to you. This will now free you to develop your sense and feel for putting.

Be confident that you will make the putt. Sense, feel and confidence are essential for the perfect putt.

No other club in your golf bag is used as much as your putter. Get help from a team of expert golf instructors to help your fix your golf swing for all types of clubs including your putter.