Should your putting stroke be arced or straight? Top 100 Teachers explain

By: GOLF Editors

July 29, 2023

Your putting stroke can either be straight back and through, or on an arc, but which is better?

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A putting stroke can either be straight back and through, or on an arc, but which is better? Check out what three GOLF Top 100 Teachers had to say below.

Lou Guzzi

“You set up with your putter tilted on an angle, so, yes, it should arc to the inside on both sides of the ball. The real secret is to rotate the face as little as possible both back and through.”

brian harman putting at open — This putting aid helped Brian Harman win the Open Championship
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Michael Hunt

“On most putts, your stroke should indeed arc. You can get away with straight back and through on short putts, but the longer the stroke, the more it will naturally arc.”

Joe Plecker

“Depends. If you set up with more forward bend, your stroke will naturally move straight back and through. If you like to stand tall when you putt, then you’ll see more arc. Give both postures a try when you practice.”