Should your putting stroke have an arc, or go straight back, straight through?

By: Lou Guzzi, GOLF Top 100 Teacher , Michael Hunt, Top 100 Teacher , Joe Plecker, Top 100 Teacher August 26, 2023

Should you putt on an arc or straight back, straight through?

Getty Images

When recreational players want to improve their putting, many take to the practice green with a ruler or alignment stick, hoping to ingrain a sense of straight-back, straight-through muscle memory for their stroke. But is this really the best approach?

GOLF asked three Top 100 Teachers for their advice. Check out their opinions below.

Should you putt on an arc, or straight back, straight through?

Top 100 Teacher 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.

To help amateur golfers better lock into their short game, PGA player Sam Ryder shares his three most effective putting drills — Try this Tour pro’s favorite putting drills to dial in your stroke
By: Brendon R. Elliott, PGA Golf Professional , Nick Dimengo

Top 100 Teacher 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.

Top 100 Teacher 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.