Putting - The Game within a Game
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 at 1:46 pmIt’s often been said that putting is a game within the game of golf, and there seems to be no general consensus as to the best technique for putting.
Choose the technique that’s best for you.
There are a number of proven methods for putting, but it always makes sense to pay attention to the fundamentals and then adapt from these principles to suit your game.
The essence of putting
In it’s most simple terms, there are three key elements to sinking your putt: making contact with the ball with the centre of your putter face; ensuring that when you contact the ball you are online with the target; and accelerating the clubhead through impact!
The orthodox approach to putting
A basic approach to putting involves placing your hands in a neutral position with the palms facing one another, bending from the waist with your arms and hands hanging down naturally, using a basic pendulum action stroke, controlled by the shoulders (imagine a triangle formed by your arms and shoulders when you address the ball), and maintaining a triangular relationship throughout your stroke, from backswing to follow through!
Controlling your grip
One of the major problems when putting is allowing your wrist to break down through impact — often called the “yips”. Sometimes a new grip style is the best solution to this problem. A new grip style can take the problem off your actual stroke and help cure the yips. Consider a grip where you drop your left hand below the right, which locks your wrist into position and prevents any unwanted wrist action. Or consider the Langer grip which was developed by golfer Bernhard Langer to help keep your wrists locked and involves clasping the fingers of your right hand around your left forearm, effectively taking the right hand out of the stroke action.
Stabilize your lower body
Great golfers have one thing in common when they putt — they have an extremely stable lower body and swing the putter from above the waist! Do your utmost to keep your lower body stable through your putt!
Other traps to avoid when putting:
- Don’t look up too soon!
- A continuous swing action is essential — always ensure that your through-swing is exactly the same length as your back swing.
- Don’t overthink your putt — stick to the fundamentals of your swing and let it work for you!
Practice your short putt!
While practicing your long putt is fun, the vast majority of your putts during a game will be from within 15 feet of the hole, so when you’re on the practice green, practice, practice and more practice those short putts! Remember that while putting is open to personal interpretation, it’s always best to start with the fundamentals!
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February 12th, 2009 at 11:21 am
This has been a long winter so I purchased a 5′ putting green and practiced 3′ 4′ and 5′ putts. In order to discipline myself, I would have to sink the 3′ if I made it, graduate to 4′ then 5′ if I did not make the putt, I would go back and start at 3′ until all putts were made 3 times. I do this everyday. I am suprised much easier it is to putt at those distances. Now we need the greens in order to practice the long putts. See you soon. By the way, your Tips are wonderful.