The Importance of Alignment when Putting

Alignment is crucial in putting because it directly affects your ability to aim accurately and consistently along your intended start line. Here are some key reasons why alignment is important when putting.

Targeting

Proper alignment helps you aim your putter face towards your intended aim point. When your body, eyes, and putter face are aligned correctly, which can be unique for each golfer, you can visualise, and trust the alignment matches your desired line. Aligning yourself with the target gives you a reference point for your stroke and helps you establish the correct start line for the putt.

Accuracy

Aligning your body and putter face accurately to the target increases your chances of hitting your intended line. Even minor misalignments can cause the ball to start in the wrong direction and miss the hole.

Consistency

Accurate alignment provides a reliable starting point for each putt. When you can consistently and accurately align your body and putter face to your intended start line, you have a better chance of developing repeatable stroke.

Confidence

Proper alignment boosts your confidence on the greens. When you address the ball with confidence in your alignment, you feel more assured in your execution. Confidence plays a significant role in putting, as it can positively influence your focus, commitment, and overall performance.

Green Reading

Alignment and green reading are intertwined in putting. Poor alignment has consequences as it affects the starting direction of the putt. When not aligned correctly, putts can veer off target, regardless of green reading skills.

Misalignment can also distort perception of the break, leading to misaligned strokes. Accurate alignment is crucial for reliable feedback and successful putting. It connects green reading assessment with putt execution, improving the chances of sinking putts with confidence.

Prioritising proper alignment enhances the link between green reading and execution, increasing success on the greens.

Distance Control

Alignment is crucial for putting accuracy and distance control. When aligned correctly, you can judge the intended line and stroke length more accurately. This alignment-based distance control allows you to regulate putt speed and reduce the likelihood of three putts. Proper alignment is also essential for factoring in break on reads.

Misalignment can lead to misjudging slope and insufficient compensation for contours. By aligning correctly, you can control the ball’s speed across slopes, improving your chances of holing putts and reducing three-putts. 

Take dead aim

As you can see developing good alignment can pay dividends. At Visio we have developed a range of training aids which can help you develop sniper-like aim. Whether it be the Visio Laser for pinpoint feedback, or the putting mirror to calibrate eye position and feel, then practicing regularly with training aids can help develop the key skills you need.

#practicewithpurpose with the tools of the trade