Do you ever stand over a putt and wonder whether you’re actually aimed where you think you are? Do you sometimes feel rushed trying to line up your golf ball? Are you consistently missing putts both high and low of the hole?

According to Trident Align creator Enda McLaughlin, those doubts are more common than many golfers realise.

Alignment issues have been a constant thorn in the side of club golfers for as long as the game’s been played and there are no shortage of techniques and aides out there to help fix this.

From alignment sticks to drawing lines on golf balls, there are plenty of methods that promise to help players start their putts on their intended line.

But if golfers are still second-guessing their aim once they stand over the putt, are those methods really solving the problem?

McLaughlin would argue it doesn’t and it led him to create the Trident Align.

Speaking on the Your Golf by NCG podcast, he explained how the adjustable ball marker was designed to give golfers more time to line up their putts and greater confidence on the greens.

“Trident Align is the world’s first adjustable ball marker,” he said. “What that means is that you can get up to the green, you can put your marker down, remove the ball from the green, and then as you begin your process of reading the putt, which you would normally do, there’s an adjustable sliding top plate.  

“It’s designed in two parts. You’ve got a base, and then you’ve got the adjustable slider on the top. And as you begin to read your putt – and let’s say it’s two feet outside on the right – you can go over to the marker and nudge it slightly to the left so that the centre aim line points to that desired start line.  

“Then, as your playing partners are potentially lining up their puts or going through their routine, when it is your turn to putt all you have to do is go back to the marker and put the ball back down in front of it and you’re ready to go.”

How did this putting idea come about?

The idea for Trident Align came after McLaughlin discovered aim bias in his own putting. It means you can feel as though you’re aiming correctly, while actually pointing left or right of your intended start line.

McLaughlin originally drew a line on his ball. But when that didn’t work he knew he needed to try something different.

“There were two things that I didn’t like about using a line,” he said. “One was how rushed I felt when it was my turn to putt. The other element was, when I looked down, sometimes the line didn’t look like it was pointing where I thought it should be.  

“So what we designed was a stencil tool that allows you to draw the trident marking on the golf ball.”

From first conceiving the concept in Zurich Airport to bringing it to market, the process took around three years. After receiving approval from the relevant governing bodies, McLaughlin turned his idea into reality.

Explaining how the training aid works, he pointed out: “There’s half a square shape on the golf ball that you mark on. There’s half a square shape on the Trident line marker and when you join the two of those together, and you look down from above, you see it forms a perfect square.  

“If you don’t see that square shape when you look down, it means that the ball is not perfectly positioned at 90 degrees in terms of the line to the surface. 

“So it’s about making sure that you have time to line up and have set up the marker to the desired start line. [It’s] Trying to speed up play, but at the same time giving you the confidence that once you have the ball back down it’s aimed where you want it aimed.” 

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Will you be trying the Trident Align adjustable ball marker? What other techniques or aides do you use to help improve your performance on the greens? Let us know by leaving a comment or by getting in touch with us on X!

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In a recent post, I provided lag putting drills to undertake on the practice green.

However, this article takes a step back to better understand what lag putting is and how you can better execute them on the golf course. In addition, I will explain why lag putting is an effective technique to combat the dreaded 3-putt.

Following these steps will enable you, as an amateur, to confidently navigate the putting green and reduce your overall golf scores. Furthermore, I will teach you how to read grass grains and use them to your advantage in lag putts.

What is Lag Putting?

Lag putting is the art of getting the ball close to the cup on long putts. Your intention is not to sink the first putt but rather rest it within a couple of feet of the cup. This puts you in a prime position to drain the second putt. If you hit a green in regulation, that would see you card a par.

You typically pick to lag your putt when you are more than 20 feet from the hole. The majority of golfers, especially beginners, will not sink this putt. Therefore, you should set yourself up for a short putt on your next shot.

Tips on How to Hit Better Lag Putts

Soft Grip

Lighter grips are best suited for lag putts which rely on feel and judgment more than anything else. A looser grip gives you a superior putting feel for two reasons. Firstly, it allows you to feel when the putter head is veering off-path, giving you a chance to pause and correct the issue.

Secondly, a golfer who employs lighter grips for longer putts can better feel the top of the backstroke for optimal distance control. A firm grip reduces feedback, limiting your ability to judge power and putter head path.

Golf Pro Rory Hie suggests not controlling the pendulum motion. Instead, allow your grip to provide the feel of the putter’s weight in your hands. In addition, a lighter grip helps you better judge the speed of the putt to prevent you from over-hitting your putts:

Start Small

The 15, 20, 40, and 50-footer drill is one you should consistently apply in your practice sessions. Lay down five balls at each interval and start from the closest mark.

Putt all 5 balls, and do not progress to the following distance until all balls are within 3 feet of the hole. Keep going until you achieve a 100% success rate from the furthest mark. This helps you achieve a superior feel for the ideal putter length on the backstroke for each distance.

When you get onto the course, you will not fear 60-footers, as your muscle memory will take over and boost your long putting game.

Look at The Cup During Practice Strokes

Coaches often grill into high handicapper golfers, the idea of looking over the ball at address. While this is correct at setup, I discourage it during your practice stroke.

This is problematic on a lag putt where you need to judge the distance to the cup and break of the green. You cannot analyze the layout correctly if you are not focused on what lies ahead. Zero in on the hole during your pre-shot routine and take a few practice strokes to judge the required strength.

Do this as often as you need until your putting stroke replicates the shot you are about to hit. Remember your training from the Start Small drill and employ that feel for proper distance control.

Read The Green

Learning to read greens takes practice, but the faster you learn the ropes, the easier a long putt becomes. Occasionally, you may have a 50-foot downhill putt that breaks left to right. Instead of employing the same length backstroke as I would on a flat surface, I reduce my power.

In addition, I use the break of the green to take my ball towards the vicinity of the cup. Amateurs struggle with this element of the green, as the undulation is confusing and startles the average golfer.

Rickie Fowler explains that he reads the green as soon as he walks up to it. This gives him an understanding of which direction it is sloping and the level of undulation:

Once he has marked his ball, he approaches the hole from the other side to envision how the ball will travel down to the cup. Then he reads the green from behind his ball and correlates the two findings.

Once he feels the line of the putt, he can now turn his attention to the weight of his stroke. This helps him optimize his speed control for better lag putter results.

Read The Grain

Another significant factor to consider is the grass grain and the direction of its growth. Golf instructor Stefany King shows a simple trick to reading the growth direction of the grass. This helps you identify the speed of your putt and the path of your ball roll:

She suggests inspecting the cup and identifying the area that is browned out around the edge. This is the side where the grass is growing with the green. That means if you putt from that side, it will be a slower putt and a straighter line.

Conversely, if you putt from the opposite side, the ball will roll faster and gravitate to the brown side of the cup. This is a good start for beginners willing to go the extra mile for a good lag putt. Over time you will learn about the impact of Bermuda, poa, and bentgrass. But for now, this is an ideal introductory lesson.

3-Foot Radius

The key to your first long-range putt is to get it into a zone of 3-feet around the cup. Work on getting the ball past the cup, especially on downhill putts. You cannot overhit the ball, as it may roll off the green.

However, if you leave your first putt short, you will face a tricky downhill second putt, which you want to avoid as much as possible.

My advice is to position an alignment stick 3-feet behind the cup to encourage you not to pass this point on your first putt. You can follow the same procedure as the start small drill, where you hit 5 putts from different distances.

In addition, there is the option to add scores into the equation to make your practice time more exciting. If you sink your first putt, you put yourself down for a birdie. However, a ball that passes the cup but remains within 3 feet equals a par.

Anything beyond the alignment stick or short of the hole is a bogey. After your 5 practice putts from each distance, tally up your score before moving to the following interval.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years. Current Handicap: 8

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For many golfers, putting can be an afterthought. A part of their game that’s rarely given enough attention, compared to the likes of driving and teeing off. Yet putting is just as technical – described as a ‘game within the game’ – that you’ll need to master in order to be a well-rounded golfer.

If you want to be ruthless on the green and capitalise on your successful approaches, you’ll need to devote time to putting. And that includes experimenting with which putting style works best for you. Here, we’ll explain what the difference is between straight-through putting and arc putting, and we’ll give you tips on how you can try each to see which style gives you the best results.

What is a straight-through putting stroke?

With a straight-through stroke – also often called straight back, straight through (SBST) – you’re attempting to keep the putter moving straight along the target line throughout the putting stroke.

If you’re standing over your ball with your putter in hand, imagine a straight line running through the ball. Your backswing will travel along that line, as will your follow-through. Your club should strike the ball at a 90-degree angle (right angle) with the face flat. Imagine a pendulum-like motion, swinging smoothly back and forth along a straight line.

The theory with straight-through putting is that, as the putter travels straight and the face stays square, the ball should start on line, allowing you to more easily line up your putts. It’s a very controlled style of putting that should ideally give consistent results.

However, executing straight-through strokes perfectly is more complex than it sounds, as most golfers have some degree of arc (deviation from a straight line) in their putts. This is caused by their body mechanics, swing motion, and even the geometry of the putter.

What is an arc putting stroke?

Rather than a straight line, an arc putting stroke follows a gentle curve during the motion of the putter head.

If you’re standing over your ball, imagine a straight line running through it again. However, on your backswing, your putter will move in an arc that travels slightly inside this target line. Your swing returns to the line at impact, and then moves back inside the line on your follow-through. Your club face should open slightly on the backswing, strike the ball flat, then close slightly on the follow-through.

This curving movement isn’t arbitrary. It’s a result of natural biomechanics. Because the putter shaft is angled and your shoulders rotate around your spine, the club naturally swings on a tilted plane, creating an arc.

Although it may seem more complicated than straight-through putting, the idea with arc putting is that it follows a more natural motion and is more achievable than following a straight line, especially on longer putts. 

How to perform a straight-through putting stroke

To practice straight-through putting, you should:
 
1. Form a square setup, with:

• Your eyes directly over the ball
• Your shoulders parallel to the target line
• The ball positioned centrally

2. Keep the putter on line:

• Visualise a straight target line running through the ball
• Picture the putter moving straight back along this target line
• Use alignment aids or a putting mirror if you need to

3. Minimise face rotation:

• Keep the putter face square throughout your swing
• Focus on a smooth “pendulum” motion

4. Control the movement with your shoulders:

• As you swing, rock with your shoulders evenly
• Keep your wrists stable

5. Maintain a straight follow-through:

• Extend the putter down the target line after impact
• Avoid pulling across the ball

How to perform an arc putting stroke

To practice arc putting, you should:

1. Set up carefully:

• Position your ball slightly forward of centre
• Stand with your eyes slightly inside the ball
• Let your arms hang naturally

2. Focus on your shoulder rotation:

• Think of your shoulders rocking, not your hands
• Avoid any extraneous wrist movement

3. Allow yourself to follow the natural arc of your swing:

• Let the putter move slightly inside on the takeaway
• Don’t try to ‘keep it straight’. Trust the motion

4. Square the face at impact

• The goal of your swing is to make sure the putter’s face is squared at the point of impact
• Let the putter release naturally

5. Match your backswing and your follow-through

• Your backswing and follow-through should be symmetrical on either side of your ball
• Maintain a consistent rhythm and avoid deceleration through the ball

Which putting style is right for you: arc vs straight-through?

The simple answer is the one that works best for you.

Arc putting tends to be a more natural approach for many golfers, which results in a more fluid swing. However, some golfers will get better results by perfecting a straight-through putting style, benefitting from the control it offers.

Some golfers even find they can vary their putting approach, using an arc stroke for longer shots and straight-through putting for shorter shots (as it can be harder to achieve a straight line on longer swings). However, varying like this can be difficult, and isn’t usually recommended for beginner players.

The reality is that most golfers have some degree of arc during their swing, even if they consider themselves straight-through putters. Often, the real difference between the two styles is a subtle one in how much arc is present.

It’s a good idea to film your stroke from above, if you can, or to use putting aids such as alignment sticks around your putter to find out whether you naturally tend more towards arc or straight-through putting. Once you know which, you can focus on perfecting your putting with the style that suits you best.

Matching putters to your putting style

Once you have an idea of which putting style you prefer, you can also find the right putter to suit it, further helping to improve your game:

• Straight-through stroke: Typically suits face-balanced putters, as these are designed to stay square during the stroke.
• Arc stroke: Typically suits toe-hang putters, as these are designed to rotate naturally, which suits the arc motion.

However, as with your stroke style, choosing the right putter for you is also a question of experimentation to find what works best for your game.

Finding your putting style

No single putting style is arbitrarily better than the other. One of either arc or straight-through putting may suit your game better, or you may find you can use either style for different putts.   

The key is to stop forcing a technique that fights your natural motion. Instead, understand your stroke, match your equipment, and build a repeatable process so you can approach your putts with the confidence that comes from knowing you can control the line of your ball.

Arc vs straight-through putting FAQs

Which putting stroke is more common?

Whilst many golfers begin with straight-through putting, arc putting is usually more common as it aligns with how the body naturally moves during the stroke and typically leads to more fluid swings.

Which is easier, arc or straight-through putting?

As arc strokes follow a more natural movement of the body, many golfers find arc putting easier. However, this is a personal preference, and plenty of golfers prefer straight-through putting. Which style is easier will depend on you.

Is straight back and straight through (SBST) putting a myth?

Not entirely, but a perfectly straight stroke is extremely difficult to achieve. Most golfers will always have some degree of arc due to the angle of the putter and shoulder rotation. In reality, the difference between SBST and arc putting is more of a spectrum than two polar opposite approaches. 

Do professionals use arc or straight strokes?

Most professional golfers use a slight arc, although the amount varies. Very few players use a completely straight stroke, amateur or professional.

Why was anchored putting banned?

Anchored putting, where the putter is fixed against the body (such as the chest or chin), was banned by the R&A and USGA in 2016.

The governing bodies determined that anchoring reduced the challenge of the stroke by removing the need to control the club freely, which they felt was a fundamental skill in golf. The ban specifically targets the act of anchoring, not the use of long putters themselves.

Does AimPoint putting actually work?

Yes, AimPoint can be highly effective when used correctly.

AimPoint is a green-reading system that uses feel and slope percentages to determine break. Many tour professionals rely on it because it provides a structured, repeatable way to read greens.

However, its effectiveness depends on your ability to use it effectively.  For amateur golfers, AimPoint can be extremely helpful, but only if you commit to learning the system properly.

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Before you head out onto the course to practice your putting strokes, you may want to consider protecting yourself and your golf equipment with specialist golf insurance. Get a quote online today.

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