Pulling Putts left
The ball starts, or finishes, consistently left of the hole on putts that should be straightforward.
Why it happens
A pulled putt usually means the putter face is closed relative to its path at impact, or the path itself is moving left through the ball.
Possible causes in your swing, and how to fix each one
Tap any cause to see its fix. Work through them one at a time, usually one or two are the real culprit.
01
Ball positioned too far forward in the stance
This can catch the putter face after it has already begun closing past square, sending the ball left.
Position the ball directly below your left eye, or slightly back of center.
02
Shoulders aimed toward the left at setup
A very common issue for golfers who stand too close to the ball, which tends to open the shoulders toward the target line and left of it.
Check your shoulder alignment regularly with a mirror or an alignment rod laid across your chest.
03
Pulling the putter too far inside on the backswing
An overly inside backswing often leads to an across-the-line, outside-in path on the way through.
Practice a straight-back-and-through stroke using a two-tee "gate" drill just wider than the putter head, to keep the path square.
04
Grip pressure too tight in the left hand
Uneven tension between the hands can close the face slightly through impact.
Aim for even, light grip pressure in both hands, with the right hand especially relaxed.
Recommended video
GOLF: Drill To Stop Pulling Putts
Eric Cogorno Golf
How do you compare to the pros?
Putts per round (lower is better)
Pulling Putts left is one of the most common reasons recreational golfers take several more putts per round than tour pros.
Sources: PGA Tour putts per round, official 2022-23 season stats (about 29); Break X Golf amateur data aggregate, 15-handicap band (about 34.8).
When to stop self-diagnosing
If you've genuinely worked through two or three of these causes over several range sessions and the miss keeps showing up, that's not a failure since it usually means the real cause is something you can't feel or see in your own swing. A single 30-minute lesson with a certified instructor, who can watch you hit balls, will find it faster than any website. Bring this page along and tell them what you've already ruled out; it'll save you both time.