If you’ve ever felt stuck on the greens — missing short putts or struggling with pace — the issue might not be your grip, tempo, or routine.
It might be your stroke style.
There are two primary approaches to putting:
- The arc stroke, which follows a slight curve
- The square-to-square stroke, which moves straight back and straight through
Both can work at the highest level. Neither is “better.” But they require different mechanics — and ideally, different equipment.
Let’s break them down, so you can find the style that matches your natural motion.
The Arc Putting Stroke 🧡
The arc stroke is the more traditional of the two. It’s built around the natural rotation of your shoulders and torso during the stroke.
What it looks like:
- The putter moves slightly inside the target line during the backswing
- Returns square at impact
- Then moves slightly inside again during follow-through
- The putter face opens going back and closes naturally through impact
🎯 Key idea: The arc is shoulder-driven, not hand-driven.
This stroke mimics the natural rotational movement of the upper body around the spine, rather than trying to keep the club rigidly square.
Pros:
- Works well for players with good body rotation and rhythm
- Feels more natural for golfers with an athletic, flowing swing
- Encourages feel and tempo
Cons:
- Requires solid face control — manipulating the face can lead to pushes or pulls
- Slightly more difficult to repeat under pressure without practice
Who it’s best for:
- Golfers with natural shoulder rotation
- Players who value feel and flow in their putting
- Those who already have an arc-like motion in their swing
Ideal equipment:
- Blade-style putter
- Toe-hang balance, which helps the face naturally open and close during the arc
- You can check toe hang by balancing your putter on your finger — if the toe points downward, it’s a good fit for arc strokes
The Square-to-Square Stroke 🩷
The square-to-square (or “straight-back, straight-through”) stroke is all about minimizing movement. The goal is to keep the:
- Putter path straight
- Putter face square to the target throughout the motion
⛳ This style favors a pendulum motion, often powered by a vertical rocking of the shoulders, rather than torso rotation.
The idea is to eliminate variables — no face rotation, no arc — for a simple, mechanical, repeatable stroke.
Pros:
- Reduces face manipulation
- Easier to repeat for players who prefer structure
- Often pairs well with putting aids and alignment tools
Cons:
- Can feel rigid or forced if you naturally rotate
- May reduce feel or rhythm for some players
Who it’s best for:
- Players who like structure and consistency
- Golfers who are prone to over-rotating or flipping the face
- Beginners looking for a simple starting point
Ideal equipment:
- Mallet putter
- Face-balanced design, which resists twisting and keeps the face square through impact
- To test this, balance your putter on your finger — if the face stays flat (parallel to the ground), it’s face-balanced
How to Match Your Stroke to the Right Putter ⚙️
Your putting stroke and your putter should work together, not against each other. Here’s a quick test:
Step 1: Identify your natural stroke
- Film yourself putting from down the line
- Watch the path of the putter head and the face rotation
- If the putter moves slightly inside and opens, you’re likely an arc putter
- If the putter stays mostly straight with little face rotation, you’re likely a square-to-square putter
Step 2: Check your putter’s balance
- Balance your putter on your finger at the shaft
- If the toe drops → it’s a toe-hang putter, suited for arc strokes
- If the face stays level → it’s a face-balanced putter, better for square-to-square strokes
Step 3: Align stroke style + putter design
- Arc stroke ➜ Blade putter with toe hang
- Square-to-square stroke ➜ Mallet putter with face balance
Matching these correctly makes your stroke more efficient and natural — with less compensation.
No Stroke Is “Better” — But One Will Fit
You
Better
Let’s be clear: both putting styles work.
On the PGA Tour, you’ll find major winners using both techniques:
- Arc putters like Tiger Woods have dominated for decades
- Square-to-square putters like Steve Stricker and Bryson DeChambeau show how structure can lead to world-class consistency
The key is:
Find the stroke that feels natural, match it with the right putter, and build your routine around it.
Your best putting won’t come from forcing a technique that doesn’t suit your motion — it’ll come from trusting your stroke, whatever shape it takes.
Final Tip: Experiment, Feel, Trust
Here’s how to start improving immediately:
- Head to a putting green and try both styles — feel the difference in how your body moves
- Practice 10 putts with each stroke and see which one feels smoother, more controlled, more natural
- Don’t just focus on makes — focus on roll quality, consistency, and confidence
- If possible, test both blade and mallet putters to match the feel of each stroke
Once you find the combo that clicks, stick with it — and build your putting practice around that motion.
Because when your stroke and your putter are in sync, you’ll feel it instantly. And that’s when the real confidence starts to show up on the greens.
