Putting Guides – Part 2 of 5

December 16, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Back 6 forward 12! Now that you have made solid contact on the ball, where are you putting it too? There are many ways to line up your putt, determine the slope, the grain, hole location, etc. and we will talk about that in later posts. Right now I want to talk about hitting your line.

How do we consistently keep the ball on line? At SirShanksAlot.com, they talk about the difference between spot putting and line putting. Spot putters do not have to look at the hole and only focus the spot they are putting too. Line putters focus on the hole and take the whole shot into account. I remember about 30 years ago when Jack Nicklaus gave an interview and he talked about putting. He said that he picked a spot about 3 feet in front of the ball and putted to that spot. I took his point to heart (and if it is good enough for Jack……), but added my own little twist.

First thing I do is determine my line. Then I pick a point three feet in front of the ball. This is the point I must hit first when putting. Right now you are saying sounds simple; well here is my twist.

I additionally want to determine the speed of the putt. Therefore, I pick another point on my line (past the 3 foot point) that the ball has to go over to make sure I have enough speed on the putt. Additionally, these two points help make sure your putter head follows through on the intended line. I have found that if I hit both points, I one putt quite often and rarely three putt. This style really works for me.

It is a simple way to ensure consistency when putting!

It is snowing right now….looks beautiful. Only 4 months to go before golf season! I am a grateful golfer. See you on the links!

Putting Guides – Part 1 of 5

December 14, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 19 Comments

I believe that improving your putting will reduce your overall score by 10% or more. I can make this bold statement because experience has proven that when a person scores extremely well, they usually have putted lights out. Take the pros for instance, anyone who scores really low credits their success to chipping and putting. Personally, all of my low rounds have resulted from 27 putts or less per round.

There are many websites dedicated to improving your putting. These sites include selling attachments for your putter, a gadget to make your stroke consistent, how to visualize your smooth stroke, being aggressive, lagging your putt, being confident…..well oh my! There are many things that can help with your putting; but only you can decide which method will work for you.

I figured that I should provide my tips to success on the green. You will likely have heard of them before, but they work for me and I use them every round. So, here is the first of five suggestions that the average golfer can use without having to pay anything.

My putting tip from May 2012 is the first. It is very simple. Ensure 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 know it sounds simple, but I can assure you that your miss hits (either by line or distance) will be significantly reduced because of the solid contact. Additionally, your lag putts will be close and chances of three putting will fade away.

Ultimately, I believe that if your putter head travels back 6 and forward 12, it will significantly cut your number of putts per round. Give it a try and let me know what you think! See you on the links.

Breaking 100

November 22, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 9 Comments

According the National Golf Foundation (quoted on GolfBlogger.com), only about 55% of golfers break 100. This is a surprise to many including myself. A quick search indicates that the number actually varies but 50% is close enough. So the question is why do only half score in double digits?

Many will say it is their swing, equipment, the course, the conditions or the person they play with that is the problem. Well this may be true, but realistically I believe the answer points to one area. Practice, Practice, Practice!

So that was easy. Thanks for tuning in!

I know, most of you are saying hey can you be more specific! Come on, give a little.

Golf Made Simple.com breaks down all areas of golf and the difference between shooting 105 and 95 consistently.

I am a Golf Noob.com breaks down the process of breaking 100 to course management, shot selection, approach shots, and putting. Of course these are all important.

Pro Golf School.com talks about why people do not break 100. Their points are good and offer a possible framework to success.

I know, enough already. What is the secret to breaking 100 and not having to change my entire game or spend 10 hours a week doing it.

PRACTICE YOUR SHORT GAME!

Yup, that is it. Most amateurs generally waste 2-4 strokes a hole around the green. That adds up to 36 shots a round. Yup, don’t deny it, it is true! The short game is the key to breaking a 100. Into the Rough talks about how to break 100 and they emphasize practicing your short game as the key.

For immediate success, to go the course 30 minutes early and practice your putting. Ian Hardie at GolfHabits.com has a three-part series on putting that is excellent and will save you those all important strokes.

Chipping will work, but will take more time and practice. KeepMyGolfScore.com has great chipping tips. Additionally, my earlier post called Chipping In, provides seven tips to success round the green.

Ultimately, any practice of your short game will lower your overall score. It really is the key to breaking 100. See you on the links!

Focused Club Selection

November 13, 2012November 13, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

What the heck! You are playing the game of your life; you are in the middle of the fairway 130 yards from the par 5 – 18th green. If you shoot par, you beat your best score ever…if you birdie the hole you won the lottery! Then the thought hits you, 130 yards….you are in between a hard 9 or easy 8 iron. What to do?

Thoughts go through your head like choking down on the 8 iron or hitting a normal 9 iron and rely on our short game to your goal. Well, I suggest that most players would hit the hard 9. There are less chances of error and if you come up short, it will not be by much. If you hit the 8 too smooth, you will be over the green or worse.

Okay, let’s back up. The problem of being in between clubs is not uncommon. Additionally, it is completely preventable. I would say that the problem started on the tee or as a minimum, the second shot was not played with a focus on club selection.

As you approach every tee box and start setting up for the hole; you should play the hole in your head before you even swing a club. You know how far you can hit a ball with each club. So use that knowledge to set the hole up and reduce your chances of being in between clubs. Using a 3 wood instead of a driver off the tee or a 3 hybrid instead of 3 wood off the deck would make about a 10 to 20 yard difference in your overall distance; thus you are no longer in between clubs!

Focused club selection on the tee will help lower your score and improve your overall game.

What do you think? Will it work? See you on the links.

Chipping In!

November 12, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

One of the most rewarding shots in golf is chipping in. It not only saves strokes, but provides an adrenalin rush for a couple more shots. All golfers try to hole the ball on every shot, but are we really doing the right things to accomplish that ever elusive chip in?

Being within 5 yards of the green provides the best opportunity to chip the ball in the hole. To carry out this feat – the bump and run is the best shot. Yes, if a bunker is in the way or a sprinkler head or….then a lob shot is best. However, if you have a straight shot at the green, the percentage shot is the bump and run.

Over the years, I have realized that I can save 5 strokes around (depending on if I hit the green in regulation or not) by focusing on my set-up for a bump and run shot. Recently, I have made some changes with some excellent results.

First, line the bump and run up like a putt. Take the time to actually read the green, the slope, grain, and location of the hole.

Second, decide how hard to hit the ball by choose the landing spot for the ball. This part is extremely important! By determining where to land the ball will result in how far the ball will eventually travel and the line it travels on.

Third, select a club. Normally, I use a 7-iron. But that will change depending on what hazards I have to navigate around. The traditional wisdom is to use an 8-iron, but I am anything but traditional. The point is, pick the club you feel will get the job done.

Fourth, I use a putter grip on the club. It softens your hands, ensures your wrists remain locked and enables the club head to follow the path of your line.

Fifth, take practice swings. Take as many as required until you have determined the speed required land the ball on your aiming point. It is very important that you take these practice swings in the type of grass your ball is in.

Six, I visualize the ball going in the hole. This step is also very important. Some will say to visualize a three-foot circle around the hole, but think that approach is not aggressive enough.

Seventh and last, do not be afraid to hit the ball past the hole. 100% of short puts do not go in! It is easier to hit the ball a little softer on the next stroke than to try to hit it a bit harder. Additionally, watch the ball go past the hole – it will show you the line coming back if needed.

Well now you know my secret to the bump and run. I believe it is a very important skill that is easily practiced. It will save strokes.

If you have any bump and run tips, please pass them on! See you on the links.