Putting · Drill
Let Your Lead Hand Steer the Putt
Part of our putting programs for start line, reading greens. Build a program with it
Think of your lead hand as your direction hand. Practice with that hand alone. It teaches you to keep the wrist from breaking down. It also keeps the putter low through the ball. Then add your trail hand without letting it flip the face. Keep the back of your lead hand moving toward the hole. A small forward press can help the ball roll instead of skid.
The drill
- Hit putts with your lead hand only.
- Move the back of that hand toward the hole.
- Keep the putter low through impact.
- Add your trail hand, no flipping.
- Try a small forward press.
Why it works
The lead hand controls the putter face at impact for a right-hander, so the back of that hand points where the face points. If the lead wrist stays firm and the back of the hand moves toward the hole, the face stays square and the putter stays low through the ball. A small forward press sets the shaft leaning slightly toward the target, which delivers the putter with a touch of forward lean and helps the ball start rolling sooner instead of skidding.
Common mistakes
- Letting the lead wrist bend or cup through impact.Keep the back of your lead hand moving toward the hole and stop the stroke before the wrist folds.
- Letting the trail hand take over and flip the face closed.Hold the trail hand light and let it follow the lead hand, so it adds feel but does not add force.
- Pressing forward too far, which leans the shaft too much and makes the stroke steep.Use a small press only, just enough to feel the shaft lean slightly toward the hole.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball starts on your chosen line and rolls end over end without hopping or skidding.
- The putter head stays low after impact and the toe does not swing up or turn over.
- The back of your lead hand faces the hole at the finish.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Start with putts of three feet or less, using the lead hand only, until the face stays steady.
Harder: Move to putts of ten feet or longer and keep the lead-hand feel with both hands on the grip, or use a specific target such as a coin.
Common questions
Which hand controls the putter face in putting?
For a right-hander, the lead hand is the left hand, and it mainly guides the face direction. The trail hand adds feel for distance but should not turn the face.
Does a forward press help putting?
A small forward press can help the ball start rolling sooner instead of skidding. Keep it small, because too much lean makes the stroke steep.
