Putting Stance

[DLR]

I was wondering what kind of stance everyone uses when putting. The reason I ask is the other day while playing a round with a couple of guys I play in a league with one guy asked why I stand over the ball so much? The only thing I could answer with is that I figured that if my eyes are directly over the ball I should be able to see the best line to putt the ball at the hole. He then told me that if I open my stance a little bit and stand more upright it would give me a better chance of seeing the correct line and sinking more putts. Since that day I have been playing around with what he said but it doesnt seem to help me awhole lot and it actually feel kind of awkward. So the question I have is. What kind of stance does everyone use and how successful have you been with that stance. I know when it comes to putting everyone is different but I would like to try a couple of different methods and find the one that is right for me.

[BostonSully]

I was wondering what kind of stance everyone uses when putting. The reason I ask is the other day while playing a round with a couple of guys I play in a league with one guy asked why I stand over the ball so much? The only thing I could answer with is that I figured that if my eyes are directly over the ball I should be able to see the best line to putt the ball at the hole. He then told me that if I open my stance a little bit and stand more upright it would give me a better chance of seeing the correct line and sinking more putts. Since that day I have been playing around with what he said but it doesnt seem to help me awhole lot and it actually feel kind of awkward. So the question I have is. What kind of stance does everyone use and how successful have you been with that stance. I know when it comes to putting everyone is different but I would like to try a couple of different methods and find the one that is right for me.

For me I have my feet pretty close together even touching they get slightly further apart for longer and longer putts. I bend my knees and stand up but over the Ball so that I can rotate freely to have a good pendulum and free hands.

But then again I saw someguy who was like 6'2 and bent over like an upside down letter L used a really short Putter and just looked like a complete tool when he lined up and I couldnt imagine that being a comfortable stance but he was ona the best putters I ever saw. So i guess its whatevers comfortable and whatever you know you can control.

[allin]

I stand slightly open, because that allows me to look down my line, but I don't believe that is always best. Most information I have seen advocates being as square to your putting line as possible. Standing far away can distort how you relate to your line. There is quite a bit of room for variation, your build, length of putter, putting style all impact what stance works for you. The only maxim in putting I really believe in is keep everything as simple as possible, the fewer variables and the less you manipulate the putter the better off you are.

[chrisronline]

I've just developed what I feel is a weird putting stance. Much similar to my chipping stance, I don't stand parallel to the target line, but rather open to it so my feet are pointing left of the target. I just seem to be able to make more consistent strokes in this stance as well as gauge distance.

[Varsity_Golf]

I use a very conventional stance, with the ball in the middle of my stance, and the ball directly below my nose (if that makes sense)

[DLR]

It seems that there are quite a few people that use an open stance. Ill have to put some time in on the putting green to see if its for me. I have to try something at this point as putting is the worse part of my game. Thanks for the input everyone.

[golfro]

usually stand a bit narrower than shoulder width. feet pointing straight out, parallel to eachother. Ball sits about 1 ball to the left of middle. I wouldn't say the ball is directly below my nose, but its usually about a foot or so infront of my toes.

[danieldrieberg]

For me I have my feet pretty close together even touching they get slightly further apart for longer and longer putts. I bend my knees and stand up but over the Ball so that I can rotate freely to have a good pendulum and free hands.

upside down L---that would be me minus 2 inch height.

[Zeph]

It is an individual thing, just do what works for you.

I don't aim by looking right down on the ball, my aiming is done before I get into my stance. I guess I do stand a bit over the ball though. My stance is square.

[alf174]

I knee knock, like Arnold Palmer but not as acute.

[nuck81]

I stand really wide, get really low, and have a weird grip too...

[Fourputt]

I putt with an open stance. When I putt with a parallel stance I tend to pull the ball left. Don't know why, just know that the open stance feels more comfortable, and I get the ball on the line more consistently.

[BostonSully]

upside down L---that would be me minus 2 inch height.

haha Sorry bout the tool comment then

[Koth]

I use a very conventional stance, with the ball in the middle of my stance, and the ball directly below my nose (if that makes sense)

Wow, for a 15 year old, you look like CRAP.