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Putting Putter Intermediate ⏱ 2 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Jack Nicklaus Putting: How to Control Your Speed

Jack Nicklaus has always said that when it comes to putting, speed matters more than direction. Golf Digest summarizes his tips for getting the ball rolling at the right pace as early as possible: feel the weight of the putter, avoid skidding, and always follow through.

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Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

16 minSame problemTommy Fleetwood's Short Game: Chip, Bunker, and Long PuttTommy Fleetwood · Intermediate4 minSame problemJustin Rose's Focus on PuttingJustin Rose · Intermediate / Expert4 minFrom the same proJack Nicklaus's Training: Three Reasons to Go Hit Some BallsJack Nicklaus · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

Jack Nicklaus likes feel the weight of the putter as it strikes the ball at impact, so that the ball rolls at the right speed as quickly as possible. For him, Speed matters much more than direction. He also tries to limit the ball's side-to-side movement immediately after impact. To do this, he brings the putter head as close to the ground as possible, after lifting it just slightly off the grass so as not to catch it.

He's talking about’lighten the putter, don't lift it: thinking about “lifting” causes you to hold the putter too high and leads you to strike down, which creates backspin. His final tip is to always support, especially on short putts, where the stroke can quickly become jerky. He imagines a line in the grass along the ball’s path and lets the putter head follow it for at least 8 to 10 centimeters after impact.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. At address, lift the putter just slightly off the grass to lighten it.
  2. Bring the putter head as close to the ground as possible.
  3. As you swing, feel the weight of the putter pass through the ball.
  4. Imagine a line in the grass along the ball's path.
  5. Let the putter head follow this line for at least 8 to 10 centimeters after impact.

Key Takeaways

When putting, speed matters more than direction.
Feel the weight of the putter as it passes through the ball.
Minimize the ball's side-to-side movement immediately after impact.
Lighten the putter and bring it close to the ground without lifting it.
Always follow through, especially on short putts.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Lift the putter too high and strike the ball on the downswing, which creates backspin.
  • Make contact with the grass at the start of the putt.
  • A jerky, uncoordinated motion on short putts.
  • Prioritize steering over speed.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Shots with the lightweight putter, just off the ground
  2. Short putts with a roll of at least 8 to 10 centimeters along an imaginary line
  3. Putting drills that focus on the sensation of the putter's weight

Your Questions

When it comes to putting, which does Jack Nicklaus prioritize: speed or direction?

Speed. He has always said that it matters much more than direction, and he tries to get the ball rolling at the right pace as soon as possible.

What does it mean to lighten a putter?

Lift the putter just slightly off the grass so you can bring it back close to the ground without catching it. Jack Nicklaus avoids the word “lift,” which encourages you to hold it too high.

Why not swing down when putting?

According to Jack Nicklaus, holding a putter too high and then bringing it down creates backspin, which hinders the ball's roll.

How do you approach a short putt?

Imagine a line in the grass along the ball's path and let the putter head follow it for at least 8 to 10 centimeters. That way, you'll know you've accelerated into the ball.

Learn More

All “Putting” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Learning to Putt: From Grip to Speed ControlAll the basics of putting in order: grip, stance, eye focus, arcing stroke, reading the green from four angles, the “one potato, two potato” tempo, and two exercises for controlling the stroke. Tommy Fleetwood's Short Game: Chip, Bunker, and Long PuttThree of Fleetwood's pre-shot routines around the green: the “lofted putt” chip, the bunker shot aimed at an impact mark, and the long putt read from the low side. Nelly Korda's Left-Hand-Low Putting: Interlocked GripNelly Korda putts left hand low, fingers interlocked, so she moves the putter with her chest rather than her hands, especially under pressure. Jack NicklausAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Jack Nicklaus). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.

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