There are two components to putting: direction and distance. Many of us have difficulty in lining up a putt to the target. The target is the intended line the ball is to start on, not the hole.

Start with the putter head perpendicular to the target line. A way to help to align the putter properly is to place the ball so that the line of the name of the ball extends to the target. Now there is a reference point to square the putter. The putter face should be perpendicular to the line on the ball. There are a myriad of ways to putt. If you are struggling, try the following for a set-up to help with direction. Make the set-up and stroke simple by setting the feet, knees and shoulders parallel to the target line. There should be a little bend at the hips. Knees should be flexed very slightly but comfortably. Arms should drop relaxed from fairly level shoulders. The grip should be light with the palms of the hands facing each other and the backs of the hands going towards the target and away from the target. The ball should be placed in the center or forward part of stance. Weight distribution is centered where the ball is placed. If the ball is forward just inside the front foot, then the weight should be centered well towards the front foot. My preference is to have the players weight slightly onto the front foot (60/40) which would then move the ball slightly forward in the stance. Eyes should be directly over the top of the ball to be able to see the line to the target. Once the set-up is completed, the only concern should be distance.

The least complicated way to achieve the proper distance is to have the fewest number of variables in the stroke. The movement of the putter emanates from the shoulders while maintaining the wishbone set-up relationship of the arms with the putter. The wrists do not move. The motion is similar to young kids doing the elephant walk with their arms as the trunk, letting them go back and forth, to and fro. A big key is to keep arms relaxed. The distance the ball rolls is determined by the length of the stroke, not by hitting it harder. However far the putter goes back, it needs to go past the ball the same distance. If force is added or decreased in the stroke, it is a variable. Rely on the weight of the putter to create the distance. The weight of the putter is constant. Distance is a feel. Take practice strokes to feel distance. If the distance on the practice stroke does not feel correct, take another practice stroke.

To become a better putter, first look at the set-up then work on distance. Spend some time on the putting green and watch your handicap drop.

Getting your eyes over the top of the ball.

If you are playing pool, you would want to look directly down the cue stick to the back of the ball. This allows you to see the line. We want to see the same type of line as we putt. In order to do so, our eyes need to be on the line of the putt. Here are some ways to check your eye position:

• Take a range ball and place the ball so the stripes run around the equator of the ball. If your eyes are properly placed in the set-up, you should see the same amount of stripe on the near side of the ball as you do on the far side.

• Set up to the ball in your putting position. Take a second ball and drop it from the bridge of you nose. If the second ball lands on the ball, you are good to go. If not, make adjustments.

• Enlist someone to look from the target line extended to see if you are over the top of the ball.