Putting and control go together like a hamburger and fries.
The goal for the golfer is to control the putter head throughout the stroke.
The goal of the stroke of course is for the ball to drop into the cup.
If the golfer is successful in controlling the putter head, then he is more likely to sink the putt provided he has made the correct read.
It is all about control.
How well do you control your putter during the stroke? If you are missing putts that finish near the hole then it is likely that you failed to control the putter as you intended throughout the entire stroke.
To improve your putting you'll want to work on control of the putter head.
A good first step is to determine which hand is the dominant hand in your putting stroke.
Once you know which hand plays the biggest role in your putting stroke, you should practice putting with just that one hand.
I've seen John Daly recommend this method in the past.
Learn Your Dominant Hand Choose a medium range putt - On the putting green drop some balls in the four to five foot range from the hole.
Flat putts work best but are not required.
Putt 10 balls with the right hand - Read the putt as you normally would.
Place your left hand by your thigh.
Make the ten putts keeping track of how well you've done.
Putt ten balls with the left hand - Reverse the process above and make ten more putts keeping track of your results Compare results - Which hand dropped the most putts? Which hand got the most putts close? The hand that performed the best is your dominant putting hand.
Practice one handed - Spend time putting with just your dominant hand when you are practicing.
Usually you will find that the dominant hand in putting is the same one that is dominant otherwise.
So if you are right-handed, most often you will learn that your putting is right hand dominant as well.
But this is not always true.
I know golfers who are right-handed but are left hand dominant putters.
Check yourself to be sure.
Practice with the dominant hand only.
It will help you to learn how to control the putter head from start to finish.
This will translate to more putts that begin on the intended line with the proper speed.
You teach your body the necessary feel for putting distance through this one handed putting practice method.
Now that you know which hand has the largest influence on your putting stroke, I suggest that you alter your set up routine so that you are gripping the putter first with the dominant hand and then adding the other.
Use a lighter grip with the less dominant hand and use it more to stabilize the stroke than to provide the power.
Allow your dominant hand to deliver the power in the stroke.
This putting practice technique will help you to drain more putts.
That means lower scores and a reduced handicap.
It might even mean bragging rights among your group.
Bet you would like that.