Putt
The putt is the stroke on the green in which the ball rolls instead of flying.
The putt is the most common stroke in golf: around 40 percent of all strokes in a round happen on the green. It is played with the putter, which rolls the ball in a controlled way. Two putts per hole are considered standard and are already included in par. Anyone who regularly needs three putts gives away many strokes per round. Putting decides more rounds than the longest drive.
The art lies in reading the green: slope, grain and speed determine the line. An example: your ball lies five meters from the flag, the green sloping from right to left. You aim to the right of the hole and let the ball take the slope. Short putts up to one meter you should hole out consistently — a set routine helps with that. Mark your ball, read the line, two practice swings, then play.
A typical mistake is hesitating over the ball and lifting the head at impact. Keep your eyes on the spot where the ball lay until the sound tells you it found the hole. Since 2019 you may putt with the flagstick in, which saves time and can cushion fast putts. Further rules of behavior on the green can be found in the frequently asked questions. You can practice on the putting green of any facility, free of charge and without a tee time.
FAQ
How many putts per round are a good target for me as an amateur?
Two putts per hole are considered standard and are already factored into every par, so 36 putts over 18 holes. For most amateurs, anything under 36 putts is a strong round, anything clearly above is a clear practice area. Because the putt accounts for around 40 percent of all strokes, you will find strokes here faster than off the tee.
May I putt with the flagstick in?
Yes, since the 2019 rule change this is expressly allowed; previously it brought penalty strokes. So you may leave the flag in, lay it half out or have it removed completely — entirely as you wish. Many leave it in for long putts, because that saves time and can cushion fast balls at the hole.
What do I do if my first putt goes far past?
Then only distance control counts: the aim of the second putt is a remainder of under one meter that you hole confidently. This two-putt pattern — first putt close, second in — separates solid rounds from frustrating ones. On the putting green, deliberately practice long putts where it is not about holing them but about a safe remaining length.