Two Steps to Better Putting That You Can Master Today

Putting is the great equalizer in golf. Regardless of your swing speed, age, or handicap, mastering the green can lower your score faster than any expensive driver or swing tweak. For this, you don’t need a full-game overhaul; you need to focus on two easy steps to a better-putting game.

For committed players aiming to improve their game, guidance from a seasoned golf coach can accelerate their progress and be a game-changer. Taking guidance from an experienced coach can uncover key insights in your putting stroke that you may not spot on your own.

Michael LaBella, based at Butler Country Club in Pennsylvania,  is a certified golf coach who offers expert guidance tailored to your unique style and goals.

 With the right fundamentals and personalized feedback, learning two steps to the better-putting game can be possible and within reach. In this blog, let’s explore how two simple steps to better putting can level up your game.

Step 1: Master Your Setup

The foundation of a great putting game starts with a consistent, perfectly positioned, and repeatable setup. A putt is a gentle stroke made on the green in golf, designed to roll the ball smoothly into the hole. To make the stroke land with perfection, you need to include posture, grip, or eye position changes from putt to putt, where precision and control matter most.

Consistency builds confidence and control on the green. Mastering the basics from expert guidance from a certified golf coach like Micahel Labella and more, who offers expert guidance tailored to goals.  It can help lead to more accurate, reliable putts.

Here’s how to get it right every time: your results will. Here’s how to get it right every time:

• Posture: Stand tall, and hinge at the hips so your eyes are directly over the ball.

• Alignment: Square your shoulders and put your face to the target line.

• Stance: Keep your feet shoulder-width apart for stability and balance.

• Grip: Use a light, relaxed grip to enhance feel and control.

• Ball Position: Place the ball just ahead of the center for a smooth, upward stroke.
  

A Consistent setup promotes better control, puts a more natural stroke, and more consistent contact, especially on those pressure 4-footers.

Step 2: Control Your Speed

The reason for missed putts isn’t direction, is  speed, control, mindfulness, and focus that are required when you play the perfect put. You can read every break perfectly, analyze, and make a strategy, but if the ball is moving too fast or too slow, it won’t drop. Speed control, focus, and mindfulness are required for a good putter from a great one. 

Check out functional movement coaches at MLaB Golf, located in Pennsylvania. Learn about functional movement and swing dynamics to improve your putting game. Their assessments help tailor training to your unique golf swing and speed.

You can master your putting stroke with expert guidance from Michael LaBella at MLab Golf, Butler Country Club in Pennsylvania. Offers in-person practice and virtual lessons to help you refine your putting mechanics for consistent, confident performance. 

• Practice with a target zone, not just the hole. Imagine a 1-foot circle behind the cup—your goal is to roll the ball into that zone every time.

• Focus on distance control drills, like putting to the fringe or using tees as distance markers.

• Practice Distance Control: Regularly practice putts of varying lengths to develop a natural feel for how hard to strike the ball. This builds confidence in judging the right speed for different distances.

• Use a Pendulum Stroke: A smooth, pendulum-like stroke with equal backstroke and follow-through helps maintain a consistent speed. This rhythm reduces jerky movements that cause mis-hits.

• Focus on Tempo: Keeping a steady, relaxed tempo prevents rushing and helps control the pace of your putt. A calm, rhythmic stroke improves speed and accuracy.

• Visualize the Roll: Before striking, picture the ball’s path and the speed needed to reach the hole. This mental practice helps you deliver the correct force during your stroke.

Once you dial in your speed, you’ll leave yourself fewer tricky second putts—and maybe even sink more first ones. Mastering speed control is essential to becoming a confident putter. By practicing these techniques regularly, you’ll develop a smoother stroke and better judgment on the greens.

Quick Fixes for a Sharper Short Game 

Putting doesn’t have to be complicated; make it simple, clean, and sorted. With a solid setup and sharp speed control, you’ll build the consistency and confidence that great putters rely on.

Remember: every one-putt starts with the belief that you can make it and a process that supports it. Seeking guidance from expert Michael LaBella, a certified MLab golf coach at Butler Country Club in Pennsylvania.  The experts can answer all your questions and help you master these two steps to a better putting game.

Commit to these two steps, and you’ll be well on your way to better putting and lower scores.