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The importance of Arnold Palmer’s past tip for amateurs and why putting was key to his game plan

Originally posted on HITC | By Lee Connor | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 11:55 AM ET

If there was one thing Arnold Palmer excelled at, it was getting to grips with a new golf course – and few had a better presence on the greens than the legendary American.

Palmer picked up seven majors across a career decorated with 95 professional wins, and is firmly established among the most influential players in the game’s history.

Such was his legacy, it’s no surprise to see that the PGA Tour still hosts a tournament in his honour – the annual Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club, one of the calendar’s most popular stops.

It’s always nice to reflect on highlights from his playing days or the latter stages of his career. But coming across advice he gave to everyday golfers might be even more valuable, especially when it addresses the game’s most challenging areas.

One tip in particular stands out – the one where Palmer discusses the fundamentals of setting up to putt, still relevant for amateurs looking to improve their feel on the greens.

Arnold Palmer’s putting tip for amateurs

In the world of golf, putting often separates the good players from the great ones. Being able to read a green and roll the ball consistently is a huge advantage at any level.

When it comes to putting, fundamentals can make the difference. For Arnold Palmer, the setup was everything, and he shared his thoughts on how to stand comfortably over the ball.

“I suppose one of the most important things about putting is feeling like you are very solid over the ball and make sure you’re not going to move out of position when you stroke the ball,” said Palmer. “We’re going to keep our head very still, we’re not going to get our arms in real tight against our body but we’re also not going to get them out there away from our body.”

“We’re going to try and get freedom of movement and that includes being able to stroke through without feeling like you’re going to hit your body.

“So as we get over the putt, head in a good position, hands are comfortable on the club, firm but not squeezing too tight. One of the most important things we can do is take the putter back slowly and deliver it, and only as far as necessary to hit that putt to the hole. So, back, and follow through.”

Arnold Palmer searched for the ‘putting formula’

Photo by Gerry Cranham/Offside via Getty Images

Plenty of players have made strides to become better putters, but few were as dedicated to the craft as Arnold Palmer.

From the early stages of his career, he put in more hours on the greens than nearly anyone else on Tour – a reputation he carried through all phases of his playing days.

He once estimated he had used roughly 2,000 different putters over his career, always on the hunt for a tool or setup that suited his evolving feel.

“It’s impossible to underestimate the importance of being a good putter in order to be a successful golfer,” Palmer said in a 2007 interview with Kingdom magazine. “I used to think there was an actual formula for great putting and that if I could discover the key to that formula, I would become the greatest putter in the history of golf. It’s a formula I’m still seeking.”

For him, putting wasn’t just a part of the game – it was the aspect he considered most vital to sustained success, and something he continued to prioritise even after his playing days.

“There’s no question in my mind that putting is the most important part of the game,” Palmer once said. “Anything you can work out to improve your putting – well, it never lets you down.”

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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