The easiest and most effective way to lower your golf score is to improve your putting.

Most golfers can get their ball on the green in at least one to three shots, but it's the putting that takes the skill of golf to a new level and where an average person on the gold course can become a great golfer. The difference between the two is typically the shortest of shots during a round of play.

To learn some great putting tips that can improve your score, keep reading.

Use the Right Putter

It may seem elementary, but there are a lot of golfers using putters that are too small, not heavy enough, too heavy or too big. While you don't have to buy the most expensive putter on the market, you should own a quality putter that fits your body type and actually feels good in your hands.

Some golfers carry two putters, a lighter one for fast greens and a heavier one for slower greens. Typically though, you want a putter with good weight on it and a length that lets you properly control your shot. If, for example, you are a taller person and your putter is too short for your height, you would then likely need to overcompensate by hunching over while putting, and negatively impact your stroke.

Grip Your Putter Well

While you want to grip your putter comfortably, you also need to grip it well. Wearing your gloves, keep your thumbs pointed downward and on the flat surface of the putter grip. You should then grip your putter softly, but consistently.

Once you've settled on a grip, keep it and don't let up until you've followed through with the shot. Though this may initially feel unnatural, ongoing practice will help you to adjust and become more comfortable.

Keep Yourself Stable

In order to become more proficient at putting, you need to focus on keeping your body steady and stable, especially your lower half. Maintain your feet and legs as grounded and steady, and use your upper body to swing the putter while holding the lower portion of your body as still as possible.

Cure Your Yips

A yip is when you miss an easy or short putt. This occassionally happens to everybody - even the best golfers. The best cure is to regain confidence and develop a good putting routine.

If you've ever watched a pro basketball player before he makes a foul shot, he often goes through a routine of movements before making his shot. Watch professional golfers before a put and you'll see they have a pattern of shaking out their gloves, stretching their arms or tapping the putter handle. Though such movements may all look like a series of nervous habits, these routines typically help steady the nerves and develop comfort before the next shot.

These small sets of movements can not only help relax you for your next putt, but also create a rhythm for your shot and keep the number of yips to a minimum.