Good starting points for every putt are to determine the perfect target line and to develop a smooth swing which impacts your ball on the center of your balanced putter face. You can’t afford to have a hitch or a yip in your putting stroke. You also need to understand the changing speed of greens, as you play 18 holes on every course and on every new day that you play.
Good Golfers Strategically Sink More Putts.
1/ Before every round, you need to practice your putting to get a feel for the speed of the greens on the course that you are about to play. Practice short, long and breaking putts.
2/ The speed of greens change throughout your round as the course dries out during the day or during the onset of fog or rain. Adjust your swing speed accordingly.
3/ Short putts never go in the hole. You should only plan for putts to die into the hole when you are making a downhill putt. On relatively flat putts you should always add enough energy in your swing to pass the hole by 12 to 18 inches to (a) give yourself a chance to sink the putt, (b) minimize the break at the hole as you ball slows down and (c) avoid imperfections of the green near the hole by sloppy golfers.
4/ Your arms and wrists need to be locked solid during your backswing and follow-through as you should only create the swing arc with the rocking motion of your shoulders. Practice your putting with GOLFSTR+ to lock your leading wrist to swing your putter up your target line like a pendulum.
NOTE: Prove that you can swing a putter on a straight line by putting 5-foot putts on a flat putting surface. Try putting with your eyes focused on the spot where the ball is lying (without moving your head during impact) and then try to make the same putt with your eyes closed. If you can’t make these putts, you must be moving your wrist instead of rocking your shoulders.
Ref GolfDigest.com
Key Components of Each Putt
1/ Look at the line of the putt from above and primarily from below the hole to determine the expected break. [If you are plum-bobbing to determine a fine amount of break near the hole, make sure that you are checking the break with the hole between you and the ball –NOT from behind the ball.]
2/ Practice your putting motion only by rocking your shoulders with enough speed to pass the hole and break from the high side.
3/ Focus your eyes on the hole and then trace back to your ball along your target line.
4/ Keep your eyes on the SPOT at the back of your ball (until AFTER impact on the exact center of your putter face) as you swing directly up your target line.
Sensing your putt distance and rocking your shoulders to putt up your target line are all made easier when you practice with GOLFSTR+ to lock your leading wrist. Buy one today at www.GOLFSTR.com
Thought for the Day: It’s difficult to decide which is more stressful – hitting 3 off the tee or lining up your 4th putt.