There's an old golf saying that "driving is for show, putting is for dough." After all, the drive might look great, but if you're not an accurate putter, you're going to damage your score. For professional golfers trying to win a cash prize, putting really is the most important skill, no matter how impressive a long drive might be. Even if you can drive well, you aren't doing all that much good if you have to take five or six strokes to sink the ball. There's no such thing as a perfect putt, of course, but with a good artificial putting green to practice on and some time spent learning, you can get better.

The two most important elements of a good putt are stance and grip. Place your hands around the putter lightly. You don't need to squeeze it or tighten your hands and wrists - that'll only cause fatigue, and it can even hurt your putt. Treat your club gently. Some recommend about two thirds of your usual grip strength. Don't wrap your hands around the club the whole way - let the pinky just sit on the club. Don't hold your club at an angle, either. You need to be squarely addressing the ball. Remember to relax both mind and body for best results.

Keep the ball slightly in front of your stance, centered between your shoulders. Make sure your eyes are on the ball, but don't move your head at all. Picture the path you'd like your ball to take, and follow the stroke along that line, for the most natural motion. Keep feet inside your hips, with your weight balanced evenly. If you swing poorly, you won't be able to send the ball where you want it, and you'll mess up your follow through. Firmly tap the ball with the middle of your putter, or sweet spot. Concentrate on a smooth stroke with a strong follow through, and you should get a nice put into or close to the hole.

Remember to use the same balls when you practice and when you play. After all, balls from different brands will tend to play differently. If you use the same kind of ball every time, you won't have any unpleasant surprises. Of course, you still need to practice. Don't just put the ball down on the green and hit it from the same position every time. Practice from every angle and every distance you can. Remember that good form and a consistent stroke are more important than sinking the ball every time. Once you get a proper putting stroke into your muscle memory, you can start thinking about getting greater accuracy.

What if you can't make it to the practice green at your local course on a regular basis? Think about installing an artificial putting green at home, either inside or outside. They make it much easier to get your all important practice strokes in, without the need to leave your house. Even when weather keeps you from playing regularly, you'll be able to stay in good condition, and become a better putter over all. Check out artificial practice greens and see what they can do for you.