How to Keep the Putter Head Straight for Pure Strikes
One of the most critical elements of great putting is the ability to keep the putter head square through impact. While speed and green reading play massive roles in putting success, a misaligned or twisting putter face can send even the best-read putt offline. In this article, we’ll explore the science behind face angle at impact, common reasons golfers struggle to keep the putter head straight, and provide drills and tips to build a more repeatable, square stroke.
Why Keeping the Putter Face Square Matters
Putter face angle at impact is the most influential factor in determining the ball’s initial direction—far more than the path of your stroke. Studies show that more than 80% of a putt’s starting direction is determined by the face angle at impact. That means if your face is just 1° open or closed on a 10-foot putt, the ball can miss the cup entirely.
On short putts especially, a square face is essential. The smaller the margin for error, the more precision is required. Combine this with consistent speed control and you’ll start holing more putts under pressure.
The Science of Face Angle and Path
There are two parts of the putting stroke that affect the face at impact:
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Stroke Path – Whether your stroke moves straight back and through, or on an arc.
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Face Rotation – How much you open/close the face relative to the path.
Even if your path is slightly inside-out or outside-in, you can still hole putts if the face is square to the target line at impact. This is why golfers with different stroke styles (like arc vs straight) can still be great putters—what matters most is controlling the face.
Golfers often struggle because:
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Their grip or wrist angles change during the stroke.
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Their shoulders or head move, altering the face angle.
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They overuse their hands, adding rotation through impact.
Tips for Keeping the Putter Head Square
✅ Use a Grip That Reduces Wrist Movement
The more the wrists are involved, the more room for face rotation. Try a reverse overlap grip or claw grip to quiet the hands and let the shoulders do the work.
✅ Focus on Your Shoulders, Not Hands
A “rocking of the shoulders” motion (also known as the pendulum motion) helps minimize face manipulation. Keep the hands passive and use the bigger muscles for stability.
✅ Keep Your Head Still
Any lateral or vertical head movement often causes the putter face to open or close. Practice keeping your eyes fixed just over the ball until the stroke is complete.
✅ Find a Putter That Matches Your Stroke
Face-balanced putters tend to work well for straight-back-straight-through strokes, while toe-hang putters are better for arcing strokes. A properly fitted putter will help you square the face naturally.
Drills to Improve Putter Face Control
🎯 Gate Drill (for Face Accuracy)
Place two tees slightly wider than your putter head just outside the toe and heel. Practice making strokes without hitting either tee. This builds awareness of a square face through impact.
⛳ Impact Line Drill
Use a chalk line or alignment string. Set the ball on the line and make putts trying to start the ball perfectly down the line. If the ball immediately veers off, your face was not square.
🎯 Mirror Drill
Use a putting mirror to check that your shoulders, eyes, and putter face are square to the target line. This helps with alignment and face awareness at setup and impact.
⛳ 1-Foot Short Putt Stroke Builder
Stand 1 foot from the hole and roll in 20 consecutive straight putts. The goal is to control the face and groove a motion where the ball rolls true every time. Gradually back up and repeat.
Advanced Bonus: Train with a Putting Launch Monitor
If you want precise data on your face angle at impact, consider using a putting launch monitor like the Blast Motion, Capto, or SAM PuttLab. These tools can measure your face angle, stroke path, tempo, and more—giving you actionable data to improve face control.
Final Thoughts: Pure Putting Starts with a Square Face
If you want to hole more putts, especially inside 10 feet, improving how square your putter face is at impact should be priority #1. You don’t need a perfect stroke path—you just need the face to be aligned where you want the ball to start.
By using these drills and tips, you’ll improve your ability to strike putts cleanly, keep the putter head straight through impact, and roll the ball on your intended line with confidence.
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