Since 1995, the Golf Channel has been not only covering major golf events around the world but helping the average golfer improve the skills necessary to post consistently better scores. Putting tips from the Golf Channel's top teachers and participating professionals can help you master the green and shave strokes of your game.
Read the Grain for Speed
The elevation of your putt -- whether the hole is uphill or downhill from the location of your ball -- isn't the only factor you need to consider when judging the speed of your putt. A number of different conditions affect the grain of the green, from how the grass naturally grows to how recently and in what direction the green was mowed. If you have a difficult putt in front of you, look at which way the grain of the grass is going. If it's moving toward your ball or perpendicular, you'll have to put a little extra on your putt. If it's moving directly away from your ball, your putt will be a little faster.
Use Spare Tees
From the Golf Channel comes this simple drill, which will help eliminate simple flaws in your putting stroke. Some amateur putters tend to have a "loop" in the swing, meaning the club does not come straight back or straight through during the swing. To eliminate this loop, set your putter head on the ground and place a tee directly in front of the toe of the putter and one directly behind the heel, forming a gate for your putter head to pass through. Place a ball just in front of the gate and practice taking several putting swings. Swing the club so your putter head doesn't hit either of the tees. Eventually, you will be able to correct the loop in your swing by using this drill.
Practice the Break
Lag putts are sometimes the most difficult type to judge, because of the slope and speed considerations. PGA Tour winner Brad Faxon gives this tip on the Golf Channel: Head to a practice green and find the hole with the most break. Set up three balls on one side of the hole. Hit the first ball with the least amount of speed possible and pay attention to the break. Power the second ball as straight to the hole possible. Using the information you gathered from the first two putts, hit the last ball with normal speed. Varying your speed will help you get a better feel for the speed of your putts and help you conquer the break next time you head out on the course.
Putting from the Fringe
Situations where you find yourself on the fringe of the green can be tricky. Going with a chip can make you sacrifice control and speed, but using your putter could lead to a loss of power because of the longer grass. That's why Brad Brewer of the Golf Channel suggests you pull out a hybrid or utility club for fringe shots. Hold the club in your hands below the grip and make your stance as you would for a normal putt. The larger and heavier clubhead helps sweep the ball off the fringe while giving you the same control of a regular putt.
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