Why You Miss Short Putts - And What You Can Do About It!

Short putts should be the easiest part of the game. You're close to the hole, the read seems simple, and you've made the same stroke a thousand times. So why do they still miss?

If you're frustrated with missed three- or four-footers, you're not alone. In fact, most golfers underestimate how often they miss short putts — and more importantly, why. It's rarely nerves or a bad green. The real issues are often technical, subtle, and hard to detect without proper feedback.

At My Golf Matters, we work with golfers across Berkshire, Surrey, and Hampshire to take the guesswork out of putting. Here are the top reasons short putts go wrong, and how our indoor putting lessons can help you fix them.

1. Your Aim Isn’t Where You Think It Is

Many golfers aim a few degrees left or right without realising. Over a longer putt, that might not matter as much. But inside 6 feet, just 1–2 degrees offline can cause a miss — even with a great stroke.

TrackMan Putting allows us to measure your actual aim at address and at impact. We often find that golfers are misaligned without knowing it, which means every stroke starts at a disadvantage.

2. Face Angle Is the Hidden Saboteur

The most important factor in short putting is face angle at impact. If the putter face is open or closed even slightly, the ball will start offline.

TrackMan’s high-speed sensors show your exact face angle at impact to 0.1 degrees. This is the kind of feedback that’s impossible to get just by “feeling it.” Once you see the numbers, you’ll understand what’s really causing those lip-outs.

3. Your Tempo Is Off

It’s not just about stroke mechanics. The rhythm of your stroke — or tempo — plays a big role in distance control and consistency. Rushing the stroke, decelerating into the ball, or having an uneven backswing can all lead to inconsistency on short putts.

Our indoor putting studio in Wokingham gives you the ideal environment to work on tempo. We combine data with coaching to help you develop a stroke that feels natural and performs under pressure.

4. You’re Guessing, Not Training

Without feedback, most golfers rely on trial and error when practising putting. That leads to doubt, overthinking, and inconsistent results.

Our putting lessons are built around measurable improvement. We don’t just watch your stroke — we show you what's happening and give you a clear plan to fix it. Whether you're just starting out or chasing scratch, this type of structured feedback can make a massive difference.

Book a Putting Lesson That Actually Changes Something

If you’re based in Berkshire, Surrey, or Hampshire and searching for putting lessons near me, we’ve created a space that’s focused on real improvement. Using TrackMan putting analysis and personalised coaching, we help you build confidence over every putt — especially the short ones.

Stop guessing. Start improving.Book your first putting session with us at My Golf Matters in Wokingham today.