Missing Short Putts
Putts inside a few feet, the ones that "should" go in, keep missing, in different directions.
Why it happens
This is often more about routine and composure than raw mechanics: anxiety, peeking early, or an inconsistent setup tend to show up most on the putts that carry the most pressure.
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.
1Looking up too soon ("peeking")
Trying to watch the result before the stroke is complete is one of the most common causes of missed short putts.
2Decelerating on short putts
A tentative, "yippy" stroke on short putts often leaves the face slightly open or closed at the last moment.
3Inconsistent routine under pressure
Changing your routine (or rushing it) on important putts changes your rhythm right when you need it most.
4Underreading the break
Short putts can still have meaningful break, especially near the hole where the ball is moving slower and more susceptible to slope.
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.