Putting is the one shot in golf in which you score. One putt and you can walk away with a birdie; three putt, and you have a bogey. In playing with golfers of all skill levels, I have noticed that putting is what sets apart the “very good" golfers from the “okay" golfers. It’s not that the “very good" golfers are that much better at driving the ball. In the cases I have seen; they are the golfers that consistently sink putts.

In order to improve your putting techniques, it is important to develop a consistent putting routine, and a consistent, solid stroke. Before heading out to play your round, make sure to spend some time on the putting green. I suggest beginning close to the ball, and then moving your way back, if you are making the close putts.

Also, on the practice green, begin with putts that are situated on a flat lie. Once you are comfortable with those, you can move on and practice putts that will break.

During practice, treat each putt as if it were taking place during a real round. Don’t rush; use this practice time to train yourself in developing consistency in your practice routine. Make sure your stroke is smooth and natural.

In varying the distance of your putts, it is best to change the length of your backstroke. For very long putts, I was once told to widen my stance, which has since helped the consistency of my long putts. In widening the stance, it makes it feel more natural to bring the club back farther on the backstroke.

Once you develop a consistent short game, you will notice your scores begin to drop. After daily repetition of your putting routine, sinking putts will start to become second nature.