One thing I love about mallet putters is how easy they are to align with your intended start line. Knowing this, I scratch my head when I give a lesson on the green and see a golfer step into their putts in a manner that makes it harder to get aligned properly. Let me explain.
When you are about to putt, do you set the putter down at the same time or just after you start to get into your stance? If you do either, you’re greatly increasing your chance of misaligning the putter to your line. It’s difficult to get an accurate view from this perpendicular standpoint, which is exactly what happens when you set up feet first.
Instead, always get your line from behind the ball and then set the putter down to that line before you do
anything else [above]. Keep in mind, you’re setting your putter down relative to the start line, which is the first few inches after you strike the ball. Also, when you do step in, don’t worry so much about being perfectly square to the line with your body. Just get in a comfortable, balanced position.
Molly Braid is Golf Digest’s No.1-ranked instructor in Wisconsin. She teaches at Westmoor Country Club in Brookfield.
