How Stance Affects Putting Alignment

Your putting stance is the foundation of every successful putt. Here’s what you need to know to improve alignment and accuracy:

Foot Position: Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, parallel to the target line. Position the ball slightly forward in your stance.
Body Posture: Bend slightly at the hips, let your arms hang naturally, and align your eyes over or just inside the ball.
Balance: Distribute weight 60% on your front foot and 40% on your back foot for stability.

Quick Tips:

Use alignment rods to check foot and shoulder alignment.
Practice drills like standing on one foot or with eyes closed to refine balance.
Incorporate daily practice routines to make these fundamentals second nature.

Get your stance right, and you’ll see more consistent putts and lower scores.

Proper Golf Posture for Improved Putting | Titleist Tips

Foot Position Basics

Your feet are the base for a steady putting stroke. Getting this foundation right is key for consistent alignment and accuracy on the green.

Ideal Stance Width

Keep your feet about 16-18 inches apart – roughly shoulder-width or slightly narrower. This setup offers stability while allowing controlled movement.

Balance is crucial. Distribute your weight evenly across both feet, with a slight lean toward your front foot. This helps minimize unnecessary body movement.

Foot Alignment and Target Line

Position your feet parallel to the target line, like two rails running side by side. Your toes should point straight ahead, not angled inward or outward.

Place the ball just forward of the center of your stance, lining it up with your lead eye. This encourages a slight upward strike on the ball, promoting a smooth roll rather than a skid.

Common Foot Position Mistakes and Fixes

Here are a few frequent errors in foot positioning and how to address them:

Stance Too Wide: Can create tension in your hips and restrict natural movement.
Feet Misaligned: Misaligned feet force compensations in your stroke.
Rear-Weighted Stance: Leads to inconsistent contact and poor distance control.

A simple drill can help correct these issues. Place two alignment rods on the ground – one parallel to your target line and the other perpendicular, forming a "T" shape. Align your feet with the first rod and ensure the ball sits at the intersection of the rods.

Body Position and Setup

Your body position is the base for a steady and accurate putting stroke.

Back Position and Tilt

Stand upright and let your hips naturally bend forward. This creates a relaxed posture where your arms can hang freely, helping you achieve a smooth pendulum-like motion.

Knee Bend and Weight Distribution

Take a slightly athletic stance with a gentle knee bend – just enough to stay relaxed, not stiff. Balance your weight evenly between both feet to stay stable during your stroke.

Eye Alignment

Align your eyes so you have a clear view of the target line. This is usually directly over the ball or just slightly inside. Keep your head still to ensure consistent contact.

With these adjustments, you’re ready to fine-tune your balance for a complete setup.

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Balance Tips

Getting your weight transfer right is key to improving your accuracy. Once you’ve nailed your foot and body positioning, focusing on balance can take your putting to the next level.

Building a Stable Stance

Start with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Most of your weight should rest on the balls of your feet. Keep your shoulders level and parallel to the ground, letting your arms hang naturally. This creates a triangle between your shoulders, arms, and hands on the putter grip.

Picture roots growing from your feet into the ground – this mental trick can help you stay steady. Keep your lower body still as your arms move in a smooth pendulum motion.

Weight Balance Tips

Distribute your weight so that 60% is on your front foot and 40% on your back foot. This slight forward lean promotes better contact with the ball.

Avoid leaning too far back onto your heels or too far forward onto your toes. Either position can throw off your stability and affect your stroke.

Balance Drills to Try

Here are a few simple exercises to improve your balance:

One-Foot Practice: Take some practice strokes while standing on your lead foot. This helps you identify and fix any balance issues.
Eyes Closed Drill: Hold your stance with your eyes closed for 10 seconds. If you sway or lose balance, tweak your weight distribution until you feel steady.
Cross-Arms Test: After getting into your stance, cross your arms over your chest and hold the position for 30 seconds. This helps you check if your weight is centered properly.

Work on these drills daily to see improvements in your putting consistency.

Pre-Putt Setup Steps

Let’s refine your pre-putt routine by focusing on stance, alignment, and daily practice.

Stance Setup Steps

Here’s how to get your stance right:

Assess the slope and break of the green.
Position your feet shoulder-width apart as previously described.
Keep your hips parallel to the target line with a slight forward tilt.
Align your shoulders square to the intended line.
Place the ball about 2 inches ahead of your sternum.

Alignment Check Points

Double-check these key positions to ensure proper alignment:

Eyes: Position them directly above or slightly inside the ball line.
Weight: Distribute it with a 60/40 split, favoring the front foot.
Arms: Form a triangle with your shoulders.
Putter: Keep it square to the target line.
Head: Keep it centered and still.

To confirm alignment, hold the putter shaft at eye level. It should run parallel to your target line. Adjust your stance if it doesn’t.

Daily Practice Plan

Incorporate these quick drills into your routine:

Alignment Rod Practice (5 minutes)
Lay down two alignment rods – one for the target line and one for your feet. Use them to fine-tune your setup position.
Mirror Work (5 minutes)
Stand in front of a mirror to check your posture, shoulder alignment, and eye line.
Real-World Practice (5 minutes)
Practice 3-foot putts without any aids. Go through your full pre-putt routine for each attempt.

Conclusion

Getting your putting stance and alignment right is crucial for building a steady and reliable putting stroke. Start with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Position your eyes either directly over or just inside the ball line to clearly visualize your target path.

A strong setup relies on good posture and balance. Here are the key alignment points to focus on:

Align your body parallel to the target line.
Tilt slightly forward from your hips for a stable posture.
Keep the putter face square to the target line.

To make these fundamentals second nature, include alignment drills, mirror checks, and on-course practice in your routine. With consistent practice, these habits can lead to more accurate putts and lower scores. Focus on these basics every time you step up to a putt to build dependable results.