Rory McIlroy's Putting: Right Arm and Aim
In Dubai, Rory McIlroy gives amateur golfers a putting lesson. He reveals his two key fundamentals: the exercise of making six putts in a row, which puts pressure on the player, and his method of aiming at a spot just in front of the ball. He then corrects his students’ grip, arm position, and posture.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Rory's two fundamentals: right arm tucked in against the body, because when it floats, the putter head goes to the right and the ball to the left; then alignment. At the start of the swing, just one thought: the right shoulder that drops, so that the putter head travels along the line. His drill: putts of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and then 8 feet around the hole, six in a row; at the first miss, back to the beginning—which creates pressure. He distinguishes between putting technique and the “skill” aspect of it: varying the speed, and thus the amount of slope to account for, whether uphill or downhill.
When it comes to aiming, Rory thinks he's much better at a point about one foot in front of the ball: He picks it out along his line, aligns himself with it without looking at the hole, and only then looks at the hole. Between practice putts, he steps back and repeats his pre-shot routine so as not to lose his focus on the target. He advises his students to hold the putter with their hands closer together, palms facing each other, then to roll their shoulders; to feel the inside of their right elbow against their side; to let the arms hang loosely, with a supple upper back, rather than tensing up as with a driver; and to keep the shaft slightly forward, otherwise the putter will aim to the left. On long putts: rely on instinct, not calculation.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Bring your hands together and place your palms facing each other before forming the grip.
- Bend your knee slightly and feel the inside of your right elbow touch your side.
- Let your arms hang down and relax your upper back.
- Choose a point on your line, about one foot in front of the ball, and align the clubface with it without looking at the hole.
- Next, look at the hole, then roll your shoulders, focusing on your right shoulder as it drops.
- Keep the handle slightly forward, or apply a little forward pressure to trigger it.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- If your right arm moves away from your body, the ball goes to the left.
- Tense up over the putt as if you were using a driver.
- Hands that are too far apart.
- A shaft that leans backward: the putter points to the left.
- Sinking putts one after another on the driving range without readjusting your aim.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Six putts in a row from 3 to 8 feet; one miss, and we start over
- The same putt played at different speeds: high line, low line
- Aim at a point one foot in front of the ball
- Long putts played on instinct, without thinking it through
Your Questions
Why is the right arm so important to Rory?
When he moves away from his body, the putter head goes to the right and the ball goes to the left. Rory adjusts his stance so that the inside of his right elbow touches his side.
How does the six-putt exercise work?
3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, and then 8-foot putts around the hole, all to be made in a row. The first miss sends you back to the beginning: the pressure builds with every putt.
Why aim at a point in front of the ball?
Rory thinks he’s much better at aiming at a spot about a foot in front of the ball than at the hole itself. He aligns himself with that spot, and only then looks at the hole.
How do you judge the distance for a long putt?
Without calculating the force. Rory compares this to throwing a ball at a palm tree when you don't know how far away it is: you throw it, and it lands nearby.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Rory McIlroy). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.