What are the most common putting mistakes?

Poor alignment, inconsistent grip pressure, wrong ball position, decelerating through impact, weak green reading, no routine, excessive wrist action, inconsistent pace control, using the wrong stroke type, and not practicing enough.

How do I know if I’m a straight or arc putter?

If your natural stroke stays on the target line with a square face, you’re closer to straight-back-straight-through. If it opens and closes slightly around your body’s rotation, you’re an arc putter. Match your putter and training aids to that style.

What are the best tools to fix putting faults at home?

Alignment mirrors, high-quality putting mats, and feedback trainers improve setup, pace control, and stroke path. See our guide to the best putting training aids for 2025.

Top 10 Putting Mistakes Every Golfer Should Avoid in 2025

Putting makes up 40–50% of your strokes. Correcting these common errors in setup, stroke, and routine can be the fastest way to lower your scores.

Overview: Mistakes & Quick Fixes

Mistake	Consequence	Quick Fix
Poor Alignment	Missed start line	Use mirror/chalk line
Wrong Ball Position	Skidding or poor roll	Ball slightly forward of center
Excessive Wrist Action	Unstable face angle	Shoulder-rock pendulum stroke
Decelerating at Impact	Poor distance control	Smooth acceleration drill
No Pre-Putt Routine	Inconsistent setup & rhythm	Aim → rehearse → breathe → commit

1) Poor Alignment

Even slight misalignment at address can push a 20-footer several feet offline.

Pro Tip: Practice with an alignment mirror 3×/week. Check eyes, shoulders, and face.

2) Inconsistent Grip Pressure

Too tight = tension; too loose = instability.

Pro Tip: Hold it like a toothpaste tube — firm enough not to drop, gentle enough not to squeeze.

3) Wrong Ball Position

Too far forward/back changes launch and roll, hurting pace and start line.

Pro Tip: Ball slightly forward of center; film 5 putts to verify consistent roll.

4) Decelerating Through Impact

Slowing down at impact ruins distance control.

Pro Tip: Tee 6″ behind the ball — ensure your putter passes it with smooth acceleration.

5) Poor Green Reading

Misjudging slope & speed causes most three-putts.

Pro Tip: Read from low side + behind hole; use your feet to feel subtle slopes.

6) No Pre-Putt Routine

A repeatable routine builds confidence and rhythm.

Pro Tip: Aim → 2 rehearsal strokes → deep breath → roll it. Same cadence every time.

7) Excessive Wrist Action

Flippy wrists change loft and face angle unpredictably.

Pro Tip: Rock the shoulders; keep wrists “quiet”. A putting arc trainer helps.

8) Inconsistent Pace Control

Without rhythm, you’ll leave some short and blast others long.

Pro Tip: Ladder drill at 3/6/9 ft; target a 1 ft “capture” zone past the hole.

9) Ignoring Your Stroke Type

Forcing a style that doesn’t match your natural motion blocks progress.

Pro Tip: Identify straight vs arc; pair with face-balanced vs toe-hang. See Best Putting Training Aids 2025.

10) Not Practicing Enough

The putter decides your score — allocate time accordingly.

Pro Tip: 30% of practice to putting; 10 minutes/day on a home mat compounds fast.

Quick Fixes You Can Start Today

Use a mirror to standardize setup.
10-minute ladder drill for pace control.
Match putter style to stroke type.

Recommended Tools

For mirrors, mats, and feedback trainers that accelerate progress, check our full guide: Best Putting Training Aids 2025.

Final Thoughts

Putting is the fastest path to lower scores. Eliminate these mistakes, practice with intent, and leverage simple feedback tools to build a reliable, confident stroke in 2025.