Over the years, I have tinkered with the width of my putting stance. It seems to me that when I adjust my feet, the rest of my body compensates for the change and I still putt fairly well. Interestingly, I noticed that the driving factor for adjusting my putting stance was comfort over the ball. Having said all this, I saw during the BMW Championship that many professionals have adopted a very narrow putting stance and I am trying to figure out why.
Most of my research suggests that my feet should be shoulder-width apart when putting. I have used this as a guideline for years and it works for me. However, many of the pros are using a narrower stance. I will have to test this on the putting green when I get back into playing.
I came across a presentation by the University of Manitoba. It is a good baseline document for many amateurs looking for some instruction on putting. Like all documents of this type, it is up to you to decide what is valuable and what is not – your mileage may vary. Here is the link to the document Golf: Putting Mechanics.
I also came across Brandt Snedeker’s video on putting. Considered one of the best putters on tour, he presents a slightly different view on how to putt. It was an interesting watch, but what caught my eye was his narrow stance when putting. Take a look:
Well, I have some thinking and practicing to do. I am interested to see if a narrower stance will improve my putting stroke. I consider myself a solid player on the green, but if I can improve by even one stroke per round, it will be worth the change.
How wide is your stance when putting?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
I use a narrow stance. I spent the better part of a year working on different combinations to see what gave me the most consistent putter, and a narrow stance was part of the winning equation. I still practice a little with a wider stance though because when the wind is blowing good, a narrow stance can get you blown over.
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Thanks Kevin. I am going to give it a try and see if it improves my putting stroke.
Cheers Jim
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Jim, Sneds putts the way he does because he has extraordinary hand-eye coordination. I putt in the opposite fashion and try to deaden and soften my hands; just controlling the stroke with my shoulders. I have gone to a handsy pop stroke on very slow greens, on the odd occasion. In the video his stance is narrow but he doesn’t address width. I have never tinkered with width, just alignment, and am standing mostly shoulder’s width apart. Putting is so individual, you can find anything that works for almost anybody. Is there any standards at all?
Thanks,
Brian
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Brian
You hit the nail on the head by saying that putting is so personal that there are likely no standards. There is a 80% solution to provide the fundamentals, but after that it is all individual standards. I am sometimes remise to play with my putting stroke, but I figure after a season off, I have nothing to loose. I can always go back….haha. Have a great day watching the BMW Championship.
Cheers Jim
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