Why Great Putters Obsess Over Setup

One of the biggest differences between great putters and average ones has nothing to do with stroke mechanics. It’s setup. Good players understand that if setup changes, everything else has to compensate. Most amateurs never realize their setup is changing at all.

Small shifts happen constantly. Ball position creeps forward or back. Eyes move slightly inside or outside the ball. Distance from the ball changes. Shoulders open or close just a touch. None of these feel dramatic, but each one alters how the line looks and how the putter has to move to get the ball started where the player intends.

This is why mirrors are such a staple in high-level practice. If you watch tour players or elite college golfers warm up, almost all of them use a putting mirror. They aren’t checking mechanics. They’re checking setup. Over time, that repetition builds muscle memory, so when they step over a putt on the course, their body naturally falls into the same position without conscious thought.

That’s also why mirrors show up so consistently at the highest level. A fun fact: 16 of the top 20 players in the Official World Golf Ranking use an EyeLine Putting Mirror. Elite players treat setup as non-negotiable because they know consistency starts before the stroke ever begins.

Most amateurs do the opposite. They assume setup is close enough and try to fix problems during the stroke instead. Great putters lock in setup first, trust what they see, and let the stroke take care of itself.