Body Alignment Tips for Better Putting

Want to sink more putts? Proper body alignment is the secret. Misaligned feet, hips, shoulders, or eyes can ruin even the best read and stroke. Here’s how to fix it:

Target Line: Always visualize the ball’s path to the hole, adjusting for slopes and breaks.
Eye Alignment: Position your head directly over the ball for accurate aim. A putting mirror can help perfect this.
Pre-Putt Routine: Stand 3–4 feet behind the ball, pick an intermediate target, and align your putter face and body parallel to the target line.
Common Mistakes: Misaligned shoulders or feet can cause pushed or pulled putts. Use alignment rods or a string line to double-check.
Practice Drills: String line drills, alignment rod practice, and mirror training reinforce correct setup habits.

Consistency in alignment builds confidence and improves results. Start every practice with alignment checks and use tools like mirrors or rods to refine your setup. These small adjustments can shave strokes off your score.

The Target Line and How It Affects Your Putting

What Is the Target Line?

The target line is the imaginary path your ball needs to follow to reach its destination. On a flat green, this would be a straight line to the hole. But since most greens aren’t perfectly flat, you’ll need to account for slopes, breaks, and other factors that influence how your ball rolls.

This line is your guide. Identifying it before you putt helps you aim your putter face, position your stance, and visualize the stroke. Some players find it helpful to draw a line on their ball to match the intended path. This visual aid can make it easier to stay on track during your setup and stroke.

Another key point: ensure your putter face is perfectly square to the target line. When your putter face aligns perpendicularly with the line on the ball, you’re setting yourself up to send the ball exactly where you want it to go.

For added precision, try picking an intermediate target – something close along the target line – to help with alignment.

Now let’s see how slopes on the green can change everything.

How Green Slope Changes Your Alignment

Most greens are anything but flat. On sloped greens, gravity pulls your ball off course, so you’ll need to adjust your aim. For example, if the green breaks from right to left, your target line might start to the right of the hole, and the steeper the slope, the farther right you’ll need to aim.

Mastering green reading is essential. It’s not just about spotting the slope; it’s about predicting how the terrain will influence your ball. Many golfers instinctively aim straight at the hole, but this often leads to missed putts. Practicing green reading can help you avoid second-guessing mid-stroke, which often results in pushed or pulled putts.

To double-check your read on breaking putts, walk behind the hole after setting up. This reverse angle often reveals subtle breaks you might have missed from your initial position. A fresh perspective can make all the difference in confirming or adjusting your target line.

PUTTING ALIGNMENT – How and Where to Aim When You Putt

Basic Body Alignment Rules for Putting

Getting your eye alignment right is one of the most important steps for reading the green accurately. Among all the setup elements, where you position your eyes plays a huge role in how you see the green and plan your stroke.

How to Align Your Eyes for Better Putting

The way you position your head directly affects how you perceive the green. Ideally, your head should be directly over the ball. If it’s too far forward, your aim will shift left; if it’s too far back, your aim will shift right.

Frederik Lindblom, co-founder of Short Game Gains, highlights the importance of consistency in eye alignment:

"Every time you practice, you should start with a mirror and make sure you set up exactly to that spot."

A putting mirror can be a game-changer for perfecting your alignment. Place a golf ball at the edge of the mirror, align it with your target line, and adjust your head until you see yourself aiming straight down that line. Make this head position a habit during practice to develop a consistent routine.

Once you’ve nailed your eye alignment, incorporate it into your entire putting stance for a smoother, more dependable stroke.

Step-by-Step Alignment Routine

A solid pre-putt routine is your secret weapon for consistent alignment. By sticking to a simple, repeatable process, you can approach every putt with confidence. Here’s a three-step system to help you align perfectly every time.

Step 1: See Your Target Line

Begin by standing 3–4 feet behind the ball. Lean forward slightly to get a clear, bird’s-eye view of the putting path. This position lets you assess the slope of the green and visualize the exact route your ball needs to take.

Once you’ve identified the target line, pick an intermediate target about 12–18 inches ahead on that line. This target should sit directly on your intended path. Why this works? It’s much easier to aim at something close than trying to align with a distant hole, especially on longer putts. Watch professional golfers closely – they use this same method, crouching behind their ball to carefully map out the line.

Step 2: Square Your Putter Face and Align Your Body

Step up to the ball and position your putter face so it’s perpendicular to your intermediate target. Remember, for breaking putts, your putter might not point directly at the hole but at the spot where you want the ball to start.

Next, align your body parallel to your target line. Your feet, hips, and shoulders should all match the line running from your ball to the intermediate target. This ensures you’re set up squarely to the path you’ve visualized.

Finally, position your head directly over the ball. This alignment helps you see the target line clearly and execute a straight stroke.

Step 3: Check Your Alignment

Now, it’s time to double-check everything. Use alignment rods or a string line to confirm that your setup matches your intended line. Place one rod along your target line and another parallel to it, where your toes should be. This setup gives you immediate feedback on whether your body and putter are properly aligned.

Alternatively, stretch a string line between two tees about 6 inches above the ground, running from behind the ball toward your target. This creates a clear visual guide to ensure your putt starts on the right line.

After verifying your alignment, make any necessary adjustments. If something feels off, don’t hesitate to restart the routine. The goal is to make these steps second nature, so you can focus on reading the green and executing a smooth, confident stroke.

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Common Alignment Mistakes and Fixes

Even with a proper setup, small alignment errors can throw off your putting game. Many golfers, despite knowing how crucial alignment is, fall into common habits that undermine their accuracy.

Wrong Shoulder and Foot Position

Your shoulders and feet act as the foundation of your putting stroke. Misalignment here is one of the most frequent reasons for missed putts. When your shoulders are out of line, it can cause the putter face to veer off course, leading to inaccurate shots. This misalignment can also result in a curved or inconsistent stroke, especially if your body stance is open.

Similarly, your feet play a critical role. If they’re not parallel to the target line, your stroke naturally follows the direction your feet are pointing. For right-handed golfers, an open stance (feet pointing left of the target) often leads to pushed putts to the right. On the other hand, a closed stance (feet pointing right) usually results in pulled putts to the left. To improve consistency, focus on aligning both your shoulders and feet parallel to the target line. This simple adjustment can help you maintain a straighter and more reliable stroke.

Next, let’s address another key factor in alignment: your eye position.

Poor Eye Position Over the Ball

Your eyes play a huge role in aiming accurately, but improper positioning can lead to optical misjudgments that throw off your alignment. As Golf State of Mind puts it:

"You can have a perfect swing or a perfect putting stroke but still end up missing the target because your eyes have deceived you."

In fact, roughly 80% of off-line shots stem from alignment issues rather than poor mechanics. If your eyes aren’t correctly positioned over the ball, the target line can appear skewed, causing you to aim incorrectly.

Understanding your dominant eye is crucial for proper alignment. Interestingly, over 70% of people are right-eye dominant, though this doesn’t always match their dominant hand. To find your dominant eye, try this: form a triangle with your hands at arm’s length, focus on a distant object within the triangle, and close one eye at a time. The eye that keeps the object centered is your dominant eye.

Once you’ve identified your dominant eye, use it to establish your target line. Stand behind the ball, close your non-dominant eye, and pick a target. Then, choose a spot a few inches in front of the ball that aligns with your target. As you address the ball, align your putter face with this reference point.

Make sure the ball is positioned just ahead of your dominant eye. A mirror can help confirm that both eyes are evenly aligned with the target line. Additionally, avoid tilting your eyes downward. Instead, swivel your head so your gaze is directly over the ball.

"In golf the eyes are our most important asset." – Golf State of Mind

Practice Drills and Training Tools

Developing consistent habits through targeted drills can turn proper alignment into second nature. Many leading instructors emphasize that clubface alignment is the most critical factor in starting your putts on the correct line. To build this skill, experts suggest dedicating 5–10 minutes of every practice session to alignment drills, as short but regular practice helps reinforce good habits and muscle memory. A common recommendation from professionals is to begin each putting session with a quick alignment check using tools like rods or strings.

Here are three effective drills to help you refine your alignment:

String Line Drill

The string line drill is a straightforward yet powerful way to visually confirm both putter face and body alignment. It eliminates any uncertainty about your target line, giving you a clear reference point.

To set it up, stretch a string between two stakes aligned with your target line, place your ball directly beneath the string, and align your putter face square to it. As you putt, ensure your eyes, shoulders, and putter stay aligned with the string. If something is off – whether it’s your putter face or shoulder alignment – the string will make it immediately apparent.

Start with short putts of 3–4 feet, focusing solely on alignment rather than distance or speed. Pay attention to how your body feels when your setup is correct. This combination of visual feedback and muscle memory is essential for translating your practice into better on-course performance. Once you’re comfortable, gradually increase the distance while maintaining proper alignment.

Alignment Rod Practice

Using alignment rods is another excellent way to fine-tune your setup. They allow you to check multiple aspects of your positioning at once.

Place one rod along your target line and another parallel to it to guide your feet. Position your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the rods, ensuring proper posture. This setup provides a quick way to verify your stance and helps you avoid common errors like an open or closed stance.

Practicing with rods builds a strong foundation for your putting stroke by promoting correct stance alignment. When your feet are properly positioned, it becomes easier to square your hips and shoulders, creating a chain reaction of correct alignment throughout your setup. Continue practicing with the rods until proper alignment feels natural. Over time, challenge yourself to set up without the rods and see if you can maintain the same level of precision.

Mirror Training Method

Mirror training is an excellent complement to string and rod drills, offering a personal visual check for your alignment. It’s particularly useful for ensuring your eyes and shoulders are properly positioned – areas that can be tricky to assess on your own.

Place a mirror on the ground so you can see your eyes, shoulders, and putter face during your setup. This allows you to confirm that your eyes are directly over the ball and your shoulders are square to your target line. The instant feedback helps you make quick adjustments for a consistent setup.

Professional golfers often rely on mirror training to ensure their eye position is correct, which is crucial for accurate alignment. When looking into the mirror, you should see both eyes evenly positioned over the ball, with your shoulders aligned to the target. Begin by checking your eye placement, then adjust your shoulders as needed. These small tweaks will help you build a clear mental image of proper alignment, making it easier to replicate without the mirror.

By combining these three techniques – string line drills, alignment rod practice, and mirror training – you’ll create a well-rounded approach to improving your alignment. Each method provides unique feedback, working together to help you develop the consistency required for better putting.

For step-by-step guidance on these drills, check out the Precision Putting Video Course at How To Break 80. This resource offers detailed instructions to help you master alignment and lower your scores on the greens.

Putting Your Alignment Skills to Work

Getting your body aligned properly can completely change your putting game. When your feet, hips, shoulders, and eyes are all working together, you create a solid, consistent setup that makes accurate putts feel natural – and helps shave strokes off your score.

To make this second nature, start every practice session with an alignment check. Use tools like alignment rods, a string line, or even just visualizing your target to ensure everything is lined up. Over time, this routine helps build muscle memory, so you’ll instantly notice if something feels off when you’re setting up for a putt.

Why is this so important? Because alignment creates a system you can trust, even under pressure. Imagine standing over a critical 4-foot putt to save par – knowing you’ve practiced your alignment routine countless times gives you the confidence to make a smooth, controlled stroke.

To keep things fresh, mix up your drills. Rotate between using a string line, alignment rods, or a mirror to focus on different aspects of your setup. Just ten minutes of these alignment drills during practice can translate into better results on the course.

Once you’ve worked on your alignment in practice, it’s time to bring those skills to the course. Need more guidance? Check out the Precision Putting Video at How To Break 80 for tips on refining your stance and grip for consistent, reliable strokes.

FAQs

What are some easy ways to practice body alignment for putting at home without special equipment?

Practicing body alignment for putting at home is easier than you might think, and you don’t need any fancy equipment to get started. One simple trick is to use everyday items like a straight edge or a piece of string. Lay it down to create a visual guide for your target line. Stand parallel to this guide and work on aligning your feet, hips, and shoulders so they’re consistent every time.

Another great exercise involves using two alignment sticks – or anything similar you have on hand – placed about 4–6 inches apart on a flat surface. Roll the ball between them to sharpen your aim and keep your stroke steady. These drills are perfect for small spaces and can be done with minimal setup, making them ideal for practicing at home.

How can I tell if my body alignment is off while putting, and what can I do to fix it?

If your body alignment is off while putting, it can show up in several ways: your shoulders might not line up parallel to the target line, your eyes might not be directly over the ball, or your stroke path could veer off, leading to missed putts.

To address these problems, start by ensuring your eyes are positioned directly over or just inside the ball. Align your shoulders so they’re parallel to the target line, and consider using tools like alignment aids or markings on your putter to guide you. Practicing with a focus on proper setup and posture can make a big difference, helping you achieve better alignment and more accurate putts.

How does my dominant eye affect my putting alignment and accuracy?

Your dominant eye is crucial when it comes to improving your putting alignment and accuracy. By positioning your dominant eye directly over the target line, you gain a clearer view of the line, which helps minimize alignment mistakes and sharpens your precision.

If your dominant eye isn’t correctly aligned, it can skew your perception of the target line, making it tougher to aim accurately and increasing the chances of missed putts. Identifying your dominant eye and adjusting your stance accordingly can improve your visual alignment and take your putting game to the next level.