Whether you are chipping or putting the ball, it is important to watch your ball come to a complete rest. I have witnessed players look away in disgust when they know they have missed a chip or putt while their ball scoots past the hole. Instead to watching how their ball reacts to the undulations of the green, they through a little tantrum and lose out on the valuable information offered by the green as their ball misses the hole. This frustrating habit does cost stroke and is easily avoided.
Continue readingPutting Tips
Lowering Our Golf Score The Easy Way
Lowering our golf score is one goal that every golfer pursues. If someone tells you they never play golf to shoot a lower score, I would have to look at them with a bit so skepticism. However, there are a few players who play for the pure joy and do not keep score. I rarely meet them. Regardless, most players are always trying to shoot a personal best every time they tee it up. For those players looking to lower your score, I know an easy way that will fit everyone’s game to consistently lower your score.
Continue readingHitting A Long Putt
The chances of sinking a long putt of 20+ feet is very slim. It is not because we have inferior skills to those of professionals (and we do), but it comes down to the physics of distance control. Hitting the ball in a 1.70 inch ball into a 4.25 inch hole does not leave a great margin for error. To improve our chances, we should develop a method of putting that improves our chances of at least leaving a tap in putt if we happen to miss. There are many styles and techniques to hitting a ‘lag put’ that most golfers could try in order to improve their long putting. I use a few techniques myself and feel that for the most part they are very successful. In today’s article I am going examine a few presented by Scratch Golf Academy plus a couple of techniques I use to ensure I avoid the dreaded 3 putt.
Continue readingTry Putting From The Opposite Side
Do you ever feel that your practice routine is getting a bit stale. You use the same drills (which work most of the time) in the same fashion to hone your putting skills. Personally, I try to mix up my drills, but I do have my default putting drills that really helps build my confidence on the short grass. Regardless of how well I think my practice sessions are going, I have to admit that from time to time I need to shake up my routine. When I do, I sometimes putt left handed! Why you may ask; well, that is a good question!
Continue readingIs There A Thing Called “Proper Technique” When Putting
After years of studying, trying and experimenting, I have drawn the conclusion that there is no on proper technique for putting. Yup, I said it! I have tried different grips, stances, clubs, (mallet and blade), balls, and crazy things to try and determine what putting style works best for my game. After many years of trial and error I have found something that works, but it does not work for my friends or other players. Knowing this, I have concluded that putting is as unique a snowflake.
Before some of you start yelling at the computer and pointing out my flaws in my logic, just look at the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour and The Champions Tour and tell me that there is a “proper technique” to putting. I will admit that there are several aspects of the putting stroke that will facilitate success, yet would they be considered proper.
I could delve into things like a square putter face, tempo, grip and stroke length that are widely considered to be key to putting success, yet I have not found on definitive ‘must do’ that fits all golfers. In the case of putting I think that the 80% solution is what works. If the technique you are using (trying) results in no more than a 2 putt 80% of the time, then this particular technique is worth investigation. For example, I developed my personal mantra of ‘6 back 12 forward’ when putting. This particular technique promotes solid ball contact with my flat stick. I find it very helpful, but it does not work for everyone who has tried it.
I also wrote a 5 part putting series a long time ago that touches on all the areas the could make us successful on the greens. This series of articles touches on all the aspects of good putting (in my opinion) because they touch the fundamentals. However, they do not work for everyone because every golfer is unique. I recommend trying the different techniques, keep what works and discard what does not. It is the nature of all golfers to keep what works for their time. Part 1 of the series can be found here and then there are 5 articles in a row on putting if you are interested.
Putting is the most personal stroke in your game. I do not believe that there is one technique that works for all players. Having said that, the fundamentals of putting work for me and I think will work for most players. Even these basic tenets need to be refined by each player to fit their game. So, if you are working on your putting, do not be afraid to experiment to develop a stoke that works for you. Us others advice (especially mine) as a guide and not the definitive answer. By following your own path, I see lower golf scores in your future.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 