Hitting A Close Approach Shot – Then What?

Nothing lifts a golfer’s spirits than hitting a golf shot close to the pin from 150 yards. I specifically chose that distance because most of us are hitting from that distance more often than not for approach shots. Regardless, the premise is good and solid. All I know is that our emotions rise when we see we have an opportunity for an up and down from that distance (usually for birdie). After making such a great shot, what do you do next? Are your actions as you reach the green hurting or helping your chances to sink the putt?

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How To Make More Short Putts

Lee Trevino is a golfing legend. He understands the challenges of the short game and offers some advice on how to make more short putts. His sage offerings on ball position strike and interesting mental exercise as I try to envision how his advice will help. I talk about envisioning his teachings because we have a foot of snow on the ground and putting, except in my basement, is not going to happen anytime soon. Regardless, Trevino suggests something that might help chase the yips away.

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Sage Putting Advice From Nancy Lopez

Recently, I talked about sinking short, knee-knockers. Putting is as much a mental thing as a physical. Figuring out how to sink 4 to 6 foot putts is a skill all golfers should master. I realize that sometimes it is a challenge, but for the most part these putts all come down to a process. Doing the same steps each time when putting (actually all our golf shots) is important because it eliminates unwanted swing errors. After watching a video by Nancy Lopez, her process is similar to the one I use especially with respect to alignment.

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Wrists or No Wrists While Putting

I was taught to minimize my wrist movements during my putting stroke. I have used this lesson throughout the years and feel I have a fairly solid putting stroke. I have tinkered with it over the years and have settled on my current stroke that involves very little wrist action. After watching a Brad Faxon video, I might wonder if I need to change or at least experiment with moving my wrists slightly while putting. I will have to think about that for a while, but the conversation is important.

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Sinking More Knee Knockers In Golf

There is an ongoing discussion about which is most important during a putt – Line or Speed. According to many pundits, line is more important than speed. To make more putts or even to lag the putts closer, playing more of a break when putting is the smart mathematical thing to do! The more I think about it, I believe this is a great tip and explains so much about my short game. However, there comes a time where something has to change, like the 4 to 6 foot knee knockers, when sinking more putts from a shorter distance.!

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