As a golfer, finding tips that work all the time is a challenge. Finding putting tips that work for my mental and physical game is a treasure. After my 36 putts from the first round of the year (three days ago) I decided to see if I was missing something on the greens that needed fixing. Well the short answer is yes and no!

As I started to look for the next great putting tip, I had to give my head a shake. I questioned my approach of trying to find something new this early in the season. I mean, I still feel the rust on my game. As I have said in the past, now is not the time to panic. It is the time to reach back into my archives and focus on a putting tip that works all the time! It is simple and always helps me improve my score by improving my effectiveness of the flat stick.

My tip is very simple: Back 6 Forward 12.

My first and most basic putting tip ever is to take the club head half as far as the follow through. This movement ensures your putter head follows through twice as far as you take it back.  This will allow for solid ball striking and a greater chance the ball will travel on its intended line. I realize that some will say that this type of movement messes with ones tempo, but it actually does not. The tempo says the same, but the extended follow through ensures that I never stub a putt.

Distance control is determined by the draw back, as always. My focus and technique for determining line is the same. I just need to ensure that I have an intentional follow through to allow my ball to roll smoothing on the green to a point at least 8 inches past the hole.

All of these factors were not as apparent during my first round. I expected to have some inconsistencies on the green, however I failed to keep my fundamental putting tip of Back 6 Forward 12 at the forefront of every putt. Thus, I was short on many putts and we all know that 100% of short putts never go in. During my second round yesterday, I made sure my never fail putting tip was used during every shot on the green and the results were a dramatic increase in my number of putts during the round.

Finishing with 31 putts (anything under 30 is always my goal) was a good turn around for my short game. My score also benefitted because I shot a smooth 79. Now that I have my fundamental putting tip back, I will slowly focus on other areas in which to improve. But for now, my Back 6 Forward 12 putting tip proves that it works for my game every time.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!