The Start Line: The Most Important Skill in Putting

Great putters are masters of their start line. They can pick a spot an inch or two in front of their ball and roll it over that spot time and time again. Amateurs, on the other hand, often have a wide dispersion. One putt starts on line, the next starts left, the one after that starts right.

This inconsistency is what leads to those frustrating lip-outs and missed short putts. The good news is that mastering your start line is a skill that can be trained with some simple tools and focused practice.

What Controls Your Start Line?

Your ability to start the ball on line comes down to three factors at the moment of impact.

1. Face Angle: This is the king. Research has shown that the face angle at impact is responsible for about 85% of a putt's starting direction. A putter face that is even slightly open or closed will send the ball offline immediately.
2. Putter Path: The path of your putter has a smaller effect, accounting for about 15% of the start line. While it's less important than the face, a path that is wildly out-to-in or in-to-out can still influence where the ball starts.
3. Centredness of Strike: Hitting the ball on the heel or toe of the putter can cause the face to twist open or closed at impact, which will negatively affect your start line and your speed control.

Given the overwhelming importance of the putter face, most of your practice should be dedicated to learning how to deliver a square face at impact, every single time.

Drills to Master Your Start Line

The key to improving your start line is to use drills that give you instant, undeniable feedback.

• Pick an Intermediate Target: This is less of a drill and more of a mandatory process. Never just aim vaguely at the hole. Find a specific, tiny target on your intended line about one or two feet in front of your ball—a different coloured blade of grass, a tiny pebble, anything. Your only goal is to roll the ball over that spot. This simplifies the task and focuses your attention.
• Use a Line on Your Golf Ball: This is one of the simplest and most effective training aids there is. Use a stencil and a marker to draw a bold, straight line around the equator of your golf ball. When you place your ball down, aim that line precisely at your intermediate target. Now your task is crystal clear: take your putter back and through without letting the line wobble. If you hit a good putt, the line will roll end over end, looking like a solid, straight line all the way to the hole. If you hit a bad putt, the line will wobble immediately, giving you instant feedback that your face was not square.
• The Chalk Line Drill: This is the ultimate test. On a flat area of the practice green, snap a chalk line to create a perfectly straight 10-foot putt. Place your ball on the line. The goal is simple, but not easy: hit putts that roll along the chalk line for its entire length. This provides perfect feedback on your ability to hit your start line.
• The Pelz Gate Drill: This classic drill was popularised by short-game guru Dave Pelz. Place two tees on the ground about 18 inches in front of your ball, creating a "gate" that is just slightly wider than the ball itself. Your goal is to putt the ball through the gate. It forces you to have both a good path and a square clubface to succeed.

Stop worrying about long, breaking putts until you know you can roll the ball straight. Dedicate some of your practice time to these start-line drills, and you'll build the foundational skill that all great putters possess.

Putting Start Line Control Recap

Even the best green reads fail if the ball doesn’t start on line.

• What's Happening?
  Face and path misalign at impact. Ball leaves off line immediately.

• Typical Causes

• Ball position inconsistent.
• Stance misaligned.

• Eyes not positioned correctly.

• Setup Fundamentals
  For reliable start line, keep ball slightly forward of centre, under lead eye. Stance width consistent and shoulders parallel to line. Repetition builds confidence.

• Big Picture
  Start line control is more setup than stroke. Nail ball position and alignment, and your putts start where you intend.