Pace is the most important factor in a good putt. Direction is the second thing to consider. You can only judge both of these once you’ve had a good look round, good golfers begin assessing the green as soon as they have hit their approach shot. They know there are many factors which influence the ‘break’ or ‘borrow’ of a green. For instance, many golfers believe a putt will always break towards nearby water.

Remember to look around before making your putt

Step1:
Begin analysing your putt as soon as you arrive on the putting surface. The legendary Bobby Jones said he could feel the grain of the green beneath the soles of his moccasins as he walked on the green. Most golfers mark their ball so they can wipe it clean, You can use anything to mark your ball - most people use a coin or special marker pin. Walk around the putt to assess it from all angles as well as looking beyond the green too.  If you don’t have to putt first - take note of what happens to your playing partners’ efforts. This can be the most useful guide of all.

Step2:
Tiger Woods is rarely seen without his baseball cap - but it’s more than a fashion accessory. The world No 1 uses it’s curved brim to help him block out distractions and focus on the line of the putt. And when he’s standing over a putt it helps him make sure his eyes are directly over the ball. That way he knows he is looking right down the target line to the hole. Some golfers say that on good days, they can actually see this line to the cup.

Step3:
Pick your spot and aim at it - not the hole. If you think that the putt is going to move three inches from left to right, pick a spot three inches to the left of the hole. Focus on a blade of grass and concentrate on rolling your ball over it. Visualise the line curving from your ball to the cup.

Step4:
Don’t forget to take account of others factors, such as wind and the grain of the grass. The ball only weighs an ounce so on windy days, the breeze can have a big effect. Most grass does not grow straight up. Putts that go with the grain of the grass will also move quicker than those against.