putt

A putt is a short golf stroke used on the putting green to roll the ball into the hole. It is typically executed with a putter, a club designed to produce a forward roll with minimal loft. Putts are usually attempted from on or near the green, and they account for a large portion of strokes in most rounds. The central aim of a putt is to control both the line (direction) and the speed (distance) of the ball.

Putts can be categorized by their intended line. Straight putts go directly toward the hole, while breaking putts start online but curve due to the green’s slope and grain. Lag putts are longer distance attempts designed to leave the ball close to the hole for a following, shorter putt. Successful putting relies heavily on distance control and on properly reading the green to anticipate how the ball will speed and break.

Technique and fundamentals include a stable stance, appropriate grip, and a pendulum-like stroke with minimal wrist movement. Common grips are the overlapping grip, the interlocking grip, and the 100% left-hand-low grip. Alignment to the target line, a quiet lower body, and a smooth tempo are emphasized to minimize disturbance to the putter face at impact.

Equipment considerations include the putter design (blade or mallet), which affects alignment aids and moment of inertia, as well as shaft length and grip type. Loft on a putter is typically small, aimed at producing a clean roll rather than lofted flight.

Origin and terminology: the word putt has historical usage dating back centuries in golf, with the exact etymology uncertain. Today, it denotes the standard stroke used on the green across most levels of play.