Learning to Putt: From Grip to Speed Control
Grip, stance, line of sight, stroke, reading the green, alignment, tempo, and then speed control: Paige Spiranac is revisiting the basics of putting, one step at a time, and wraps up with two simple exercises to help you avoid three-putts.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Paige Spiranac starts with the basics. For the outlet, there’s no right or wrong answer: she places her left index finger along the fingers of her right hand to calm an overly active left hand, and also demonstrates the low left hand and the “claw” grip—reserved for those who’ve tried everything. Feet shoulder-width apart, torso leaning forward from the hips, arms hanging naturally: that’s the stance. To position your eyes, drop a ball from your left eye—it should fall onto the ball, very slightly backward. The stroke is executed in a relaxed manner, using the same amount of pressure you’d use to hold a baby bird: the shoulders roll back, and the putter follows a slight curve, never from the outside to the inside.
You read the line while your partners are putting: look at the surroundings, imagine where water poured onto the green would flow, read the peak of the curve halfway down, and then all four sides, crouching. Align the arrow on the ball with the target point, then look at that point—not the hole. That leaves the tempo: “one potato” on the way up, a short break, “two potato” on the way down. For speed control, two drills: the Goldilocks drill at about 1.8 m (too hard, too soft, just right) and the necklace drill, from one end of the green to the other.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Choose your grip; Paige places her left index finger along the fingers of her right hand to limit the movement of her left hand.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, bend forward at the hips, let your arms hang down, and then clasp your hands around the grip.
- Hold a ball up to your left eye and let it go: it should hit your ball, just slightly behind it. If not, move closer or step back.
- Shake out your arms and legs, take a breath, and then hold the putter loosely, with your arms slightly bent.
- Roll your shoulders, keeping your armpits and upper arms close together: the putter opens and closes in a slight arc.
- Read the slope from behind the ball, halfway down, on the low side, behind the hole, and on the high side, while crouching.
- Align the ball with the target, look at the target, and putt to the rhythm of “one potato, two potato.”.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Grip the putter firmly and lock your arms into a rigid triangle.
- A swing from the outside in, which gives the ball a slice.
- A backswing that's too short, offset by a sharp forward thrust.
- Look at the hole instead of your target on a putt that curves: your body will pull the ball toward the hole.
- Start reading only when it's your turn.
- Hit it too hard and go over the slope, or hit it too short and leave no chance for the putt.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Test of the ball dropped from the left eye before the session
- Practice rounds behind the ball to the tune of “One Potato, Two Potato,” first out loud
- Goldilocks: a tee about 1.8 m away, three balls—too hard, too soft, just right
- Neck exercise: Putter from one end of the green to the other and stop as close to the edge as possible
- 10 to 20 minutes of speed control rather than one more bucket at the driving range
Your Questions
How can I tell if my eyes are positioned correctly above the ball?
Stand at the address, hold a ball up to your left eye, and let it go. According to Paige Spiranac, it should land on your ball, very slightly behind it. If it lands next to it, you’re either too close or too far away.
Should you use the “claw” grip?
She doesn't recommend it for beginners. It's a solution for players with very active hands who feel like they're pushing or jerking: the grip takes the movement out of the hands.
What is the purpose of “one potato, two potato”?
Keep the same tempo even under pressure. “One potato” on the way up, a short break, “two potato” on the way down. If you rush, you won’t have time to say it.
Does the putter have to move straight back and forth?
Almost: It follows a slight arc, opens, and then closes, like a small draw. What you want to avoid is a movement from the outside toward the inside.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Paige Spiranac). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.