There's nothing wrong with putting from off the green. But do you know how?

If this past summer's U.S. Open at Pinehurst taught us anything, it’s that even the world's best players aren’t bashful about putting instead of chipping from off the green. Here's Akshay Bhatia (above) during the Open. While they might not hole many, pros know these off-green putts greatly reduce the chance of needing three strokes to get the ball down. Think of the times you've chunked or skulled a chip and made a big number?

The mistake with these putts is to think you need to really pop them. You should regulate distance by the length of your backstroke and smoothly putt the ball just like it were on the green (above). In fact, if your instinct is to hit the putt so hard that it gets you out of your normal technique, then you might want to use a hybrid or fairway wood instead of a putter (below). You still should make a putting stroke with these clubs, but the ball will come off the face a little hotter without having to make a harder stroke.

Assuming you’re OK with the putter, the first thing you should do is read it like a normal putt. Don’t worry about speed for a moment, just assess the break and commit to the line.

The only technical change is to play the ball about half an inch farther back in your stance than normal and put a tiny bit more weight on your front leg. This will help ensure you catch the ball cleanly so the fringe grass doesn’t interfere. Finally, make a longer stroke than if you were on the green from the same distance. How much longer depends on how much fairway you have to cover, but remember that the pace of your stroke should not change (below).

Keep these simple keys in mind when attempting these off-green putts, and this play is going to set you up more often than not for an up-and-down. Just ask the pros.

David Armitage is director of instruction at the Shell Bay Club in Hallandale Beach, Fla.