Causes and Cures: Close To The Hole Missed Putts

Missing putts that are close to the hole, often referred to as “short putts,” can be frustrating for golfers. These missed opportunities can result from various factors, but they are typically mental errors rather than physical limitations. Here are some common causes and cures for missing short putts:

Causes:

Lack of Focus: Taking short putts for granted and not giving them the same level of focus as longer putts can lead to misses.
Overthinking: Conversely, overthinking or becoming too anxious about short putts can cause tension in your stroke.
Alignment Errors: Poor alignment of the putter face and body can result in the ball not starting on the intended line.
Deceleration: A common mistake is decelerating through the ball, resulting in weak putts that don't reach the hole.
Grip Tension: Gripping the putter too tightly can inhibit the fluidity of your stroke.
Rushing: Some golfers rush their short putts, not taking enough time to set up and execute the stroke properly.

Cures:

Focus and Routine: Treat short putts with the same level of attention and routine as longer putts. Visualize the ball going into the hole and commit to the putt.
Breathe and Relax: Take a deep breath and relax before addressing the ball. Overthinking can lead to tension, so keep your mind clear and relaxed.
Alignment Check: Ensure that your putter face, feet, hips, and shoulders are aligned correctly with the target line. Visualize a line from the ball to the hole and address the ball accordingly.
Smooth Acceleration: Focus on making a smooth and consistent stroke with a sense of acceleration through the ball. Avoid decelerating, as this can cause mis-hits.
Light Grip: Maintain a light grip pressure on the putter to promote a smoother, more fluid stroke.
Routine and Tempo: Develop a consistent putting routine and tempo for short putts. Take your time but don't rush. Find a routine that works for you and stick to it.
Practice Under Pressure: Incorporate pressure situations into your practice. Create “must-make” putts in practice rounds or friendly competitions with friends to simulate the pressure of real play.
Mental Visualization: Mentally rehearse making short putts successfully. Visualize the ball tracking into the hole.
Stay Positive: Maintain a positive mindset, regardless of previous misses. Believe in your ability to make short putts.
Putting Drills: Practice specific putting drills that target short putts, such as the “gate drill,” where you place two tees just wider than the putter head to ensure a straight back-and-through stroke.
Seek Professional Help: If the issue persists, consider seeking guidance from a putting coach or golf professional. They can provide personalized advice and feedback on your technique.

Remember that improving your performance on short putts often requires mental adjustments and practice. By focusing on these causes and implementing the suggested cures, you can become more confident and successful on those critical putts close to the hole.

Q&A on the causes and cures for missing putts close to the hole:

Q1: Why do golfers frequently miss short putts near the hole? A1: Golfers may miss short putts due to a combination of factors, including lack of focus, alignment errors, grip tension, deceleration, and mental pressure.

Q2: How can golfers overcome a lack of focus on short putts? A2: To improve focus on short putts, golfers should treat them with the same level of importance as longer putts, visualize success, and maintain a consistent pre-putt routine.

Q3: What's the best way to avoid overthinking short putts? A3: To avoid overthinking, take a deep breath, relax, and trust your preparation. Keep your mind clear and focus on the target.

Q4: How can alignment errors be corrected for short putts? A4: Ensure proper alignment by setting up with the putter face, feet, hips, and shoulders all parallel to the target line. Visualize a line from the ball to the hole before addressing the ball.

Q5: What's the key to a successful stroke on short putts to prevent deceleration? A5: Focus on a smooth and consistent stroke with a sense of acceleration through the ball. Avoid slowing down the putter head prematurely.

Q6: How can golfers prevent grip tension when putting close to the hole? A6: Maintain a light grip pressure on the putter to promote a more fluid and tension-free stroke.

Q7: What's the importance of a consistent routine for short putts? A7: A consistent routine helps golfers establish a mental and physical rhythm for short putts. It can reduce anxiety and improve execution.

Q8: How can golfers practice putting under pressure to prepare for short putts in real play? A8: Create pressure situations in practice by simulating must-make putts, playing competitive putting games with friends, or setting specific targets to meet in practice rounds.

Q9: Are there specific drills for improving short putts? A9: Yes, there are various putting drills, such as the “gate drill,” that can help golfers improve their short putting by focusing on alignment and stroke consistency.

Q10: How can golfers maintain a positive mindset when facing short putts? A10: Maintain a positive attitude by believing in your ability to make short putts and by not dwelling on past misses. Focus on the process, not just the outcome.

Q11: When should golfers consider seeking professional help for putting issues on short putts? A11: If putting issues persist and hinder your performance, consider seeking guidance from a putting coach or golf professional. They can provide personalized feedback and tips to improve your technique.

Improving short putts requires a combination of mental resilience, proper technique, and consistent practice. By addressing these causes and applying the suggested cures, golfers can become more confident and successful in making those crucial putts close to the hole.

Update:

Causes

There are a number of possible causes for missing short putts, including:

Incorrect alignment: If your clubface is not square to the ball at impact, you are more likely to miss the putt.
Incorrect ball position: If the ball is too far back or too far forward in your stance, it can be difficult to hit the putt consistently.
Incorrect grip: If your grip is too strong or too weak, it can cause the clubface to rotate at impact, resulting in off-center hits.
Poor swing mechanics: A number of swing flaws can lead to missed putts, such as a swaying upper body, an over-the-top swing, or a chicken wing.
Fear of missing: If you are afraid of missing the putt, you may be more likely to make a mistake.
Lack of confidence: If you lack confidence in your putting ability, you are more likely to miss short putts.

Cures

The first step to curing missed short putts is to identify the cause. Once you know what is causing the problem, you can start to work on correcting it.

Here are some tips for curing missed short putts:

Check your alignment: Make sure that your clubface is square to the ball at impact. You can use alignment sticks to help you check your alignment.
Adjust your ball position: Experiment with different ball positions to find one that works for you. Generally speaking, the ball should be positioned slightly ahead of center for putts inside of 10 feet.
Check your grip: Make sure that your grip is correct. You can find many resources online and in golf instruction books that can help you learn how to grip the club correctly.
Improve your swing mechanics: If you have any swing flaws, you need to work on correcting them. You can take lessons from a qualified golf instructor, or you can watch instructional videos online.
Work on your mental game: If you are afraid of missing or lack confidence in your putting ability, you need to work on your mental game. There are many books and resources available that can help you to improve your mental game.

Here are some additional tips that may help you to hole more short putts:

Develop a consistent pre-shot routine: This will help you to focus and prepare for the putt.
Make a smooth, fluid swing: Avoid jerking or rushing the putt.
Keep your head steady: If your head moves during the swing, it will be difficult to hit the putt consistently.
Focus on hitting the ball with the center of the clubface: This means that you need to make sure that the ball is centered on the clubface at impact.
Don't be afraid to miss: Everyone misses putts, even the best golfers in the world. If you are afraid of missing, you are more likely to make a mistake. Just relax, focus on making a good stroke, and let the ball go where it wants to go.

Improving your putting takes time and practice. But if you are willing to put in the work, you can start to hole more short putts and lower your scores.