Putting can be thought of as a game within a game, since many of the skills you need in order to be a good putter are different from those required for the rest of the game. Studies show that putting accounts for 43% of shots among better players. Can you think of a great golfer who wasn't a good putter? Amazingly, most beginners seek tips on everything but putting.
Try these five simple steps to putting perfection:
1. Position
Position yourself so that your eyes are over the intended line of the putt (ball line). To do this, hold your putter loosely and directly under your eyes as you address the putt and let gravity take it straight down. Make sure that when you look down at the putter it covers the ball - If not, move forward or back until it does. Ball position should be slightly forward (toward the left foot). Hands should also be forward. Align the putter shaft with the left forearm. This position promotes a good roll as the ball leaves the putter face.
2. Grip
As always, your hands should work as a unit and not be spread apart. The farther apart your hands are, the more likely you are to use your wrists, which is definitely unwanted. (The putting stroke originates in the shoulders and arms.) Use a normal grip, with three fingers of each hand on the club and the others just along for the ride. Use relatively light (5 on a scale of 1-10) grip pressure in order to promote feel.
3. Aim
Find your target and imagine a straight line through the centre of your putter. Don't get too caught up in the line that your feet make, but ensure that the putter face is square to the target. This is also the line your stroke should follow. Don't tilt your head, or you'll distort the perspective.
4. Stroke
Your putting stroke should be dominated by the shoulders and arms and involve as little wrist movement as possible. Minimize body movement, and try not to shift any weight or turn your hips. (In other words, forget much of what you've learned about the body's role in a full swing...!)
5. Acceleration
Successful putters have a backswing and follow-through of equal length in order to promote acceleration and to aid distance control. One of the most common faults is taking the club way back and then stopping at the ball on the down stroke, anticipating the hit. Remember to stroke through the ball, not at it!
As always, your hands should work as a unit and not be spread apart. The farther apart your hands are, the more likely you are to use your wrists, which is definitely unwanted. (The putting stroke originates in the shoulders and arms.) Use a normal grip, with three fingers of each hand on the club and the others just along for the ride. Use relatively light (5 on a scale of 1-10) grip pressure in order to promote feel. Find your target and imagine a straight line through the centre of your putter. Don't get too caught up in the line that your feet make, but ensure that the putter face is square to the target. This is also the line your stroke should follow. Don't tilt your head, or you'll distort the perspective. Your putting stroke should be dominated by the shoulders and arms and involve as little wrist movement as possible. Minimize body movement, and try not to shift any weight or turn your hips. (In other words, forget much of what you've learned about the body's role in a full swing...!) Successful putters have a backswing and follow-through of equal length in order to promote acceleration and to aid distance control. One of the most common faults is taking the club way back and then stopping at the ball on the down stroke, anticipating the hit. Remember to stroke through the ball, not at it! |
