The Best Free Golf Video Lessons565 Free Golf Lessons from the Best ProsOver 120,000,000 views
565 lessons from professionals, selected and summarizedOver 120,000,000 views across all videos
AlignmentPutting Putter Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 5 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

Face Angle in Putting: Marchildon's 80-20 Rule

Do you miss putts from three or four meters and think you’re a bad player? Charles Marchildon, a PGA of Canada professional, first points out the statistics for the world’s best players, then explains the rule that determines direction: 80% is due to the angle of the clubface, and 20% is due to the putter’s path.

▶
Charles Marchildon
Charles Marchildon · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

4 minNext Level UpReading Greens with Your Feet, Justin Rose's WayJustin Rose · Intermediate12 minSame problemThe Basics of Rory McIlroy's Driver Swing with Michael BannonRory McIlroy · Beginner / Intermediate2 minFrom the same proSleeve in front of the hip at impact: MarchildonCharles Marchildon · Intermediate / Expert

What the lesson shows

Charles Marchildon draws on success statistics from the world's best players: from 6 feet away from the hole, the expert rarely misses; a little farther away, his success rate drops to 55 percent, and At 12 feet, the average drops to 30%. So it's normal to miss at those distances. From this, he derives his rule for putting: 20% of the ball's direction comes from the putter's path, and 80% from the angle of the clubface at the moment of contact. Even the slightest change in the lie significantly alters the initial direction, which explains why the statistics drop off as you move away from the hole.

For the path, it refers to the arm-and-shoulder triangle: By rocking this triangle, the putter follows a relatively straight line. For the face, it provides alignment marks on the ball: the line used by most professionals, a line perpendicular to the target, an arrow, or his favorite option, his club's logo, with the tip pointing at the target and the top perpendicular to the line. Even experts, with their green notes and caddies, often miss: master short putts and maintain a better attitude.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Accept the statistics: aside from short putts, missing is part of the game.
  2. Aim the ball's marker (line, arrow, or logo) at the target.
  3. Make sure the top of the mark is perpendicular to the line: that is the angle the face should form.
  4. Align the putter face perpendicular to this mark.
  5. Sway your arms and shoulders in a triangular motion to maintain a relatively straight path.
  6. Focus on the clubface returning perpendicular to the target at impact.

Key Takeaways

Statistically speaking, 12-foot putts are often missed, even by the best players.
80% of the direction comes from the angle of the clubface at impact.
Only 20% comes from the putter's path.
The cradled arm-shoulder triangle guides the path.
A line, an arrow, or a logo on the ball helps you aim and bring the clubface back perpendicular.
Focus on short putts and a more relaxed mindset.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Thinking you're no good after missing a 12-foot putt.
  • Focus mainly on the putter's path and forget about the angle of the clubface.
  • Move your hands instead of rocking the arm-shoulder triangle.
  • Aim at the ball without using a reference point.
  • Neglecting to practice short putts.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. A mark drawn on the ball, pointing toward the hole
  2. Short putts by bringing the clubface perpendicular to the marker
  3. Balancing the arm-shoulder triangle without using the hands
  4. A Comparison of Missed Puts vs. Pro Statistics

Your Questions

What does the 80-20 rule mean in putting?

According to Charles Marchildon, 20% of the ball’s direction depends on the putter’s path and 80% on the angle of the clubface at the moment of contact. Therefore, the clubface is what you should focus on first and foremost.

Is it normal to miss putts from 3 or 13 feet?

Yes. He points out that at 12 feet, even the best players’ average drops to 30%. Before you start thinking you’re not good enough, keep in mind that the odds are statistically against you.

How do you manage the putter's path?

Using the arm-and-shoulder triangle technique: by rocking this triangle, the putter follows a relatively straight line.

What landmark on the ball should you use to aim?

The line on the ball—as with most professionals—is a line perpendicular to the target, an arrow, or a logo. Charles Marchildon prefers his club’s logo: its tip points toward the target, and its top is perpendicular to the line.

Learn More

All “Alignment” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Putting” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Justin Rose's putting session with Phil KenyonBefore a tournament, Rose and his coach check his setup, the ball's line matched to the top of the putter, a start-line gate and the slope in percent. Justin Rose's Focus on PuttingHis attention and eyes move from the target to the ball, then Rose strikes as his attention goes back to the target: nothing stays frozen over the ball. Reading Greens with Your Feet, Justin Rose's WayRose walks in a semicircle to feel where the slope changes direction, then adjusts his stance until a stick on the ground points to the center of the hole. Charles MarchildonAll of his lessons

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

* Amateur competitions with guidance from the pros