Putting might seem like the simplest aspect of golf, but it is often the most demanding aspect. Variations in green speeds, different contours of the green and pressure can affect your putting game and cost precious strokes.
Create a Routine
Most effective athletes have a routine to establish good habits and help control pressure. Whether it's a quarterback lining up behind the ball the same way every time or an NBA player lining up and shooting a free throw, a routine helps to calm the nerves and establish sound mechanics. You can do the same thing with putting. Establish a routine with your putts. Mark your ball and clean it if you need to. Read the line of your putt by crouching behind the ball. Stand over your putt, first setting the club head behind the ball, then planting your feet and making sure your lower body feels comfortable. Take one or two practice swings with the putter, then set the clubface behind the putter. Take a deep breath and imagine the putt dropping in the hole. Swing and watch your putt from point of impact to hole. As you perform this routine every time you putt, you'll notice more consistency in your stroke.
Hit for Distance
Many novice golfers spend too much time focused on the line of the putt and fail to take into account distance. It doesn't do any good to read the line of your putt perfectly if you don't hit it hard enough to get to the hole or too hard and sail it past. Pay attention to the speed of the greens throughout your round. Adjust your stroke accordingly. Putting downhill is harder than uphill, so if you have a downhill putt, don't leave it short. Putting it slightly past the hole will leave you an easy uphill putt.
Pay Attention to the Grain
Good golfers read the green, but better golfers read the grain. The grain of the green makes a slight variation in how the ball travels. If the grass blades are facing toward the ball in the direction you are hitting, you are hitting against the grain. The ball will come off a little more dull, meaning you'll need to hit your putt harder. If the blades are pointing away from the ball, you are hitting with the grain and you'll need to take a little bit off your stroke to account from the extra roll the ball will get.
Member Comments