“As regards stance and manner of hitting the ball, it is for the individual to discover on the green the means that suit him best with the club that gives him most confidence.”       Harry Vardon – How To Play Golf

Any building, bridge, tree or person have one thing in common – a strong foundation.  In golf, a strong foundation starts in the legs and hips.  This is where power is generated and where a smooth consistent swing starts and ends.  Well putting is no different, except it has less moving parts in the upper body.  So our next step to consistent putting deals three important aspects of putting that will improve your game.

Everyone is shaped differently.  So it is very difficult to tell you exactly how to stand.  Additionally, some people have physical challenges that prohibit certain motions; so do what you can and what you are comfortable with.  As you go through the various tips, make sure you are comfortable and standing with complete control of your body.  Here we go:

Eyes – I always start with my eyes.  I stand with my dominant eye over the ball.  I believe it is the best way to line up the center of your ball with the two marks you have chosen 3-feet in front and the further.  Golf.com talks about your dominant eye and putting.  The article is very good and will help explain the importance of your dominant eye when putting.  It is very important to keep your eyes on the ball when making contact.  Additionally, I count to two before following the ball on its path; this ensures you follow through on your line and focusing on initial contact.

Posture  – Once your dominant eye is over the ball, bend your knees slightly so if you drew a line from your right shoulder to your toes and your knee are touching that line.  Now, straighten your knees so you are standing comfortably.  It is impossible for anyone to tell you how to stand, but your stance should be comfortable and allow a smooth shoulder movement.

Building a Triangle – The putting triangle is not unique.  Virtually all the resources I checked stated that the triangle between your shoulders, arms, head and hands is the key to good putting.  I agree.  Once you have formed your triangle, it is important to keep it solid through the entire swing.  It is the foundation to a great putter. When putting your elbows and wrists must remain locked in position and the swinging motion is completed with a shoulder turn with very little lower body movement.  This is something that is different for every player, but the mechanics are the same.

Well that is it!  These three points are my keys to putting success.  The mechanics of putting is different to every player and unique to their skills.  If you follow these three tips, I believe your putting will significantly improve.

While researching putting, I found a few websites that may be helpful – Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P60F_wu1pBk&list=UUuXIBwKQeH9cnLOv7w66cJg&index=16 – Lots of golf videos – Putting Triangle Drill is very good.

http://www.golftipsmag.com/instruction/putting.html  – Golf Tips Mag has many tips and an extensive putting library.

http://golfhabits.com/ – Ian Hardie has many tips on putting and other aspects of the game worth reading.

I am a grateful golfer – see you on the links!

My next putting tip has to do with how aggressive you want to play.  Many advisers, coaches, pros, and friends have varying views on this topic.  It is very difficult to determine what is best and when.

Many will say that if the greens are playing tough to lag putt outside of 15 feet.  Others will suggest to always attack the hole.  Dave Pelz at Scoregolf.com says that for putts 35 feet or longer to image the hole is 6 feet wide.  This lag putt will hopefully cut down 3 putts.

Chris Czaja from Golfinstruction.com states that “One basic rule I have golfers follow is that if you are outside four paces from the hole, just go for a two putt.”  He is also a strong supporter of practicing you putting stroke for 30 minutes a few times a week.

Ask yourself,  when you have to make an approach shot or long putt….how often are you short of the hole?  I would suggest that you are short most of the time.  As a result, here is my view:

100% of short putts don’t go in!

I never intend to lag putt.  I believe that by trying to sink every putt is the only way to play golf.  I know that many players will not agree with my view, but I think that most players need to be more aggressive when they play and it starts on the green.

What do you think?  Is lag putting the way to go or is being aggressive a valid alternative?