What The Best Putters Do Differently?

When you watch an elite putter, it’s easy to think they have some magical “feel” that the average golfer doesn’t.

But great putting isn’t magic — it’s a collection of small, disciplined behaviours that stack up to produce world-class performance.

In the JB Coaching Putting Studio, I’ve coached county players, elite amateurs, professionals and club golfers of all abilities. One thing is clear:

The best putters aren’t always the ones with the prettiest stroke.

They’re the ones who control the right variables consistently.

Here are the five things the best putters do differently — and how you can start doing them too.

1. They Find (and Trust) a Consistent Launch

Most club golfers launch the ball too high or too low without realising it.

Elite putters consistently launch between 1–2 degrees, keeping the ball rolling end-over-end quickly.

Great launch comes from:

• The correct loft on the putter

• Suitable angle of attack

• A stable strike

• A setup that matches the putter’s design

Once dialled in, they trust it — even when it looks different to what they’re used to.

2. Their Start Line Is Exceptionally Reliable

The best putters don’t “hope” a putt starts on line — they make it happen.

They understand start-line windows, use gates in practice, and know how much face angle control matters.

At 10 feet, a face error of just 0.5 degrees can cause a miss.

Elite putters keep their start line within tight tolerances through:

• Great aim habits

• Stable face control

• A consistent rhythm

• Small, repeatable mechanics

You don’t need a perfect stroke — just a predictable one.

3. They Control Rhythm Instead of Forcing the Stroke

Top putters don’t “hit” the ball — they let the putter flow.

This creates:

• A calmer downswing

• More repeatable ball speed

• Cleaner strike quality

• Better distance control

Elite putters often have a slight acceleration profile that matches gravity, not hand force.

That’s why their pace looks effortless, even under pressure.

4. Their Strike Is Quiet, Centred and Repeatable

Mis-hits are the silent killer of pace control.

While most golfers assume they struck it well, high-level tracking technology (like Capto) shows that many putts are hit off-centre without the player knowing.

Elite putters produce a centred strike because they:

• Keep their arms connected

• Maintain a stable wrist structure

• Use a setup that promotes consistency

• Match their stroke arc naturally

• Avoid excessive hand speed

The strike drives roll — and roll drives distance.

5. They Make Smart Decisions, Not Perfect Swings

Finally, great putters don’t chase perfect mechanics — they chase effective behaviours.

They have:

• A simple, repeatable routine

• Great green-reading habits

• A clear intermediate spot

• A defined aim process

• A commitment to pace > line on long putts

• A calm, confident tempo under pressure

This is the stuff that wins matches, saves rounds and scores under pressure.

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The Bottom Line

The best putters aren’t born with more touch.

They’re built through clarity, good habits and consistent feedback.

If you want to putt like an elite player, focus on:

• Launch

• Start line

• Rhythm

• Strike

• Decision-making

Master those, and everything else becomes easier.

If you want to learn exactly how these principles apply to your own stroke, book a session in the JB Coaching Putting Studio — where we measure everything that matters, fix what doesn’t, and leave you with a putting plan you can trust.

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