Kyle Voska Golf

When Putting, Should You Focus More On The Line Or Speed?

WHAT’S MORE IMPORTANT:  LINE OR SPEED WHEN PUTTING

What’s more important to your putting success, the line of the putt or the speed?  The short answer would be both, right? Obviously, having both the line and the speed correct is ideal, but that’s tough to do every time.  I like to think of it this way.  If you had to choose between the two, which would you choose?  It’s tough to answer that question. However, it’s easier if you break down your putts into two categories:  long putts and short putts.  For long putts, it’s better to focus on the speed and for short putts it’s better to focus on the line.  I’ll explain why and how to do it.

When you’re more than 20 feet away from the cup, especially when you’re 40+ feet away, your odds of making the putt are not great.  Even PGA Tour Players don’t make many long putts.  What they do very well, however, is avoid 3-putting.  On long putts, it is important to have a good line, but it’s more important to have the correct speed.  If you have the correct speed you can miss your putt 3 feet right or left of the hole and still have a 3-foot putt for your second putt.  If you have a good line, but knock your putt 6 feet by, you will have a 6-footer left.  On long putts, I recommend focusing on the speed and not being overly concerned with the line.

The key to getting better with your speed on the greens is to focus more on using your hand-eye coordination.  I highly recommend taking your practice stroke(s) looking at the hole.  This will initiate your hand-eye coordination.  Your eyes will do most of the work for you.  They’ll subconsciously let you know how hard to hit the putt, similar to tossing a ball to someone 30-feet away. Trusting and using your hand-eye coordination will greatly improve your speed on the greens.

Conversely, short putts are more dependent upon having the right line.  Within 5 or 6 feet of the hole, the line of the putt is more important than the speed.  Perfect speed can guarantee a 2-putt, but we’re looking to make these short putts, not settle for a 2-putt.  Also, it’s not very difficult getting the correct speed for these putts with a little practice. Usually, your ball will stop within a couple feet of the cup.  This is why you should focus almost solely on the line for short putts.

What I recommend for short putts is to read the putt slowly and carefully, like you’re reading it under a microscope. Focus on the exact path your ball will take to the hole.  After you’re committed to this line, pick a spot 4 inches ahead of your ball that’s on your line.  When walking up to your ball, stay focused on that spot.  Line your putter head to that spot. Once you do this, then you can look at the hole, but it’s imperative to line your putter up first.  This will take out the variable of wondering if your putter is lined up correctly or not.  Once lined-up, all you need to do is take the putter straight back and straight through.  I know it’s not easy, but taking one variable out will give you more confidence over these short putts.  I also recommend trying to keep your head down until the ball drops in the hole so you don’t come out of your posture too soon.

To summarize, focus more on speed for longer putts and the line for shorter putts to avoid 3-putts and increase your 1-putts.  Hopefully, this advice will help you become a great putter.

February 6, 2010 - Posted by Kyle Voska | Putting | best golf tips, better putting, kyle voska golf tip, pga professional golf tips, putt, putt your best, Putting, top putting tip