Golf 101: Mastering Putting Alignment, Best Tips for Accuracy & More

1. Use alignment sticks

The first and foremost thing to work on your putting and getting the club face alignment is using some alignment sticks. Start by putting a couple of clubs on the ground. Secondly, what you can do to make things easier is draw a line on your ball. But how will that help your putting skills?

You can aim it from behind, which will help you improvise your putting alignment. It is always easier to make the right aim from behind it than beside it. 

2. Use your clubs to form railroad tracks

Just like with your long game, laying a few clubs on the ground can help you visualize what square, open, and closed alignments look like in relation to your target. While perfect alignment isn’t always necessary, being misaligned—thinking you’re open when you’re actually closed, for example—can lead to consistent issues with your putting. Establishing a clear sense of alignment will ensure greater consistency and accuracy on the greens.

3. Keep your shoulders in square

Use a club under your armpits to see where your shoulders are in relation to your feet and target line. Open or closed shoulders are an issue that is usually affected by your grip. Be wary: Golfers with left-hand low grips tend to have closed shoulders at address, while golfers who use the traditional, right-hand low putter grip tend to have open shoulders. 

4. Make sure that your right side is in proper form

5. Align your setup with the hole

Setting up while looking at the hole and trusting your stroke during putting is essential for consistency and accuracy. Focusing on the hole helps your brain gauge distance more effectively, improving pace control and reducing misalignment. It encourages natural alignment, engages muscle memory, and fosters a smooth, confident stroke by eliminating overthinking and second-guessing.

This approach minimizes distractions, keeps you in the moment, and reinforces trust in your routine, resulting in more consistent and successful putts.

Although mastering putting can be frustrating, it is important to remember that your short game becomes crucial in improving your score. Do you have anything to add to this list of tips to improve the putting game? Share them with us in the comments section below!