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Its an oft-cited statistic: Putts account for approximately 40% of a golfers total shots per round. This holds true for pros as well as amateurs – one of the few things the two groups have in common.

Of course, pros take fewer total strokes than weekend warriors, so it stands to reason that they have fewer putts per round. If you want to attain anything close to their level of play, you must commit to constantly improving every facet of your game.

But lets start with putting.

Isnt it crazy how you can advance the ball 350 yards in a couple of shots, then take three more strokes to cover the last 5 feet? The closer you get to the hole, the slimmer the margin of error, and the more precise your alignment and distance control must be.

The flip side is, the close quarters and short motion of the putting stroke make lining up and executing pretty straightforward. Holing putts from inside 5 feet takes little to no talent, only sound alignment and decent technique. Of course, confidence helps too.

Alignment and technique form the foundation for confidence, though, so lets focus there.

Since 85% of a putts starting direction is determined by the face angle at impact, its critical to aim the putter correctly. The simplest way to do this is to use the balls logo or alignment guide, or to draw a complete circle around the balls equator with a sharpie. Just aim the guide at the cup – or on the chosen starting line if youre playing break – then line up your putters alignment aid accordingly. Bingo! All squared away.

Now for the stroke. The most crucial element is acceleration through the ball. Golfers who struggle with the “yips” (missing short putts) often decelerate or slow the stroke through the impact zone, yanking the ball off line.

Develop an accelerating motion by making your through-stroke longer than your backstroke. It also helps to try hitting the ball to a spot several inches past the hole, rather than dying it just over the front lip.

Two other keys to great short putting: Keeping your head still, and using an arms-and-shoulders stroke.

Work on these items and youll soon be rapping home 3-footers with ease. Shots will melt from your scorecard, allowing you to focus on improving other parts of your game.

Besides improved short putting, there are a number of relatively brief routes to better scores. Here are some of the best:

Aim for Middle of the Green to Lower Your Scores

Track Your Stats to Lower Your Scores

How to Score Inside Golfs “Red Zone”

Seniors: Top 3 Ways to Lower Your Scores

Judging by advertisements on golf TV broadcasts, in magazines and on websites, youd think driving distance was the most important facet of the game. Not even close. Sure, hitting the ball farther can pay dividends by giving you shorter shots to the greens. But for most players, improved driving accuracy will help much more.

Nothing wrong with being a great bunker player. But how often do you hit into a bunker in any given round? Two, maybe three times? As long as you can escape in one shot, youre better off practicing skills that have a bigger impact on scoring.

True, the grip is the most fundamental of golf fundamentals. And a sound, “neutral” grip sets you up for success. But a “strong” grip actually works better for some players, while even a minor change in grip position can involve a lengthy adjustment period. Its a good way to lower your scores, just not a quick one.