Showing posts with label learn to putt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label learn to putt. Show all posts
Fundamentals on Learning How to Putt
The average golfer spends less time on developing his putting game even though Putting Accounts for and Average of 40% of the stokes in a game. It has been said that putting is more of an art then a science however there are certain fundamental that are common to many professional golfers.
The golf putting lessons here will take you step by step to develop the proper techniques to achieve a consistent and effective putting stroke.
In addition at golf how to putt we will also cover how to read greens and go over the steps to having an effective preputt routine.
Each fundamental is presented one at a time in the order you should learn them. The idea is to make every putt as uncomplicated as possible. Each fundamental must be learned fully in order to be proficient at putting and after time and practice your putts will soon become second nature.
The golf putting lessons that we will cover are excellent for any beginner but also can be beneficial to a seasoned player to periodically review to keep his game on track.
Elements of Putting:
Below is a breakdown of the putting components that we will cover here at How to Putt in Golf . To be successful it well take practice and solid understanding of the key fundamentals. The goal is to develop confidence and a putting stoke that consistence and with a high level of accuracy.
We will briefly cover some of the more common putting grips but spend most of the time on the Reverse Overlap Grip. This is the most widely used by professional golfers and highly recommended for beginners to learn when first getting started. [Lesson]
SETUP & POSTURE:
Critical to putting is your setup and posture in order for you to consistently hit the ball square. Proper position of your shoulders, hips, arms and eyes will be key having positive results. [Lesson]
Critical to putting is your setup and posture in order for you to consistently hit the ball square. Proper position of your shoulders, hips, arms and eyes will be key having positive results. [Lesson]
A solid putting stroke is one that the upper body forms a triangular shape and that the upper body moves similar to pendulum movement. The goal is to not have any wrist movement so the putter head stays square. [Lesson]
READING GREENS:
We will cover how to analyze a putting green to find the perfect target line and determine the correct speed and slope. The key is to understand what to look for and simplify your approach. [Lesson]
PREPUTT ROUTINE:
In order to be consistent you need a routine to follow on each putt to be physical and mentally prepared. [Lesson]
Putting is very challenging and because there are so many variables that go into each putt it can easily freeze you up. It is imperative that you follow a preputt routine the moment you walk on the green. By implementing a preputt routine your putting game will become second nature and you won’t have to consciously think through all the steps while you are putting.
MENTAL ASPECT:
Building confidence is probably the single most important aspect of putting. Most professional golfer agree that the mental side to putting is enormously challenging.
By practicing solid putting fundamentals, staying focused and building trust in your ability and you will over come any negative psychological problems. [Lesson]
I'm about five inches from being an outstanding golfer. That's the distance my left ear is from my right. ~Ben Crenshaw
Developing Consistency and Confidence in your putting game is the Primary Objective. Make a commitment to yourself to develop an effective putting game and realizing that it does take a great deal of practice and patients.
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The Reality of Putting See How Geoff Mangum
Improved Steve Elkington's Putting
“I found Geoff on the internet, got him to come to Houston in the off season and help me with my putting.…1st time I’ve ever been in the top 10 in putting on tour in 25 years.” Steve Elkington
The Putting Lessons and Techniques Will Have You Rapidly Putting Like a Touring Pro.
Flawlessly Sinking Putts on Every Hole, and Easily Slashing 8-to-10 Strokes Off Your Game... In Only 53 Minutes! Includes a 100% Money Back Guarantee!
Flawlessly Sinking Putts on Every Hole, and Easily Slashing 8-to-10 Strokes Off Your Game... In Only 53 Minutes! Includes a 100% Money Back Guarantee!
Steps to Stay on Top of Your Putting Game
by Staff Writer
A key factor
in keeping your golf score down is staying on top of your putting game. We have
heard time and again that putting accounts for roughly forty percent of the
strokes in a game however, amateurs and weekend golfers still spend the least
amount of time keeping up with their putting game. If you feel you fall in this
category it may be time to step back and assess your own situation and ask
yourself if you’re putting game could use some improvement. Below is a list of
some general guide lines to help you assess your putting game.
- Take time to review the basic fundamentals of putting and ask yourself if you are implementing them and whether or not you have picked up any bad habits. Take a look at your grip and ask whether this style is still working for you. The grip is one area of golf that does vary among professional players. Review your set up and posture and make sure you have correct alignment to the target line. Are you implementing the correct fundamentals of a solid putting stroke? Be sure you are rotating your upper body as one solid unit and keeping your lower body still.
- Check that you are striking the ball square at impact. The main purpose of your grip, setup and putting stroke comes down to striking the ball square with the clubface. A good way to check this is with the two ball test. Set two balls on the ground touching each other. Then take your normal putting stroke striking both balls. If the balls roll the same distance then you are in alignment. If one ball moves faster and farther then the clubface is not hitting the ball square and you need to review you’re putting fundamentals. A second test is use either a range ball that has a line around it or make a line with a magic marker. Then take a putt with this ball and see if the line wobbles or rolls straight. If the line has a lot of wobble then you need to work on your fundamentals.
- Be sure you are implementing a pre-putt routine every time you reach the green. All professional tour players do this because it helps make sure they have not missed anything in assessing their putt. Properly survey the green, pick the apex or breaking point of the putt and check closely around the hole for anything that may influence your roll. These are only a few of the steps that should be followed every time.
- Ask yourself if you are in control of the mental aspects of your putting game. If you are missing a lot of critical putts or getting in the habit of taking a lot of give-me putts then this is an area you may need some work on. Get in the habit of visualizing your putt before you take your putt. Most professionals practice a lot of visualization techniques. Remove any negativity when you reach the green and use your memory bank to recall past great putts that you have made.
- Practice building confidence and improving on your putting skills. Before a match spend time on the practice putting green doing a lot of short putts. This helps get your feel and rhythm going and builds confidence. By sinking a lot of short putts it sends positive messages to your subconscious and strengthens your self confidence. Also start a practice putting routine that well improve your accuracy and build consistency. Review the different putting drills commonly used by professionals and choose the ones that will focus on eliminating any weakness you may have.
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How to Putt Lesson 101 for Beginners
by Staff Writer
For those of
you just taking up golf you may have already realized how important putting is
and that it represents a little less than half the strokes in the game. In
order to get off in the right direction I have outlined the key fundamentals
that must be incorporated into your putting game to be successful. Although
putting styles do differ among professional tour players there are certain
fundamentals that they all follow.The primary focus of this golf putting
lesson is to highlight what you need to learn early and follow religiously until
they become second nature.
Before
getting started I would like to address the putting grip. This is probably the
one area in golf that differs the most among players because there are
different styles that all work. For starting out I recommend you use the
reverse overlap grip because it is the most common and very fundamentally
sound. It is basically the same as your regular golf grip except your left
index wraps around your right hand fingers. The main advantage of this grip is
that it encourages your upper body to act as one solid unit and helps reduce
your wrists from bending.
THE KEY PUTTING FUNDAMENTALS
Follow a Pre-Putt Routine: Every time you approach the green go
through the same steps every time of analyzing your putt. All professional
players have a pre-putt routine that they follow even though the steps may vary
among players. This evolves surveying the green, determining your target line,
where the ball may break and the condition of the green itself. By following
the same steps in the same order every time you well feel more confident that
you have gathered all the information you need to make a good decision. This
also reduces any last minute stress or second guessing before you take your
stroke.
Setup and Proper Alignment: After your pre-putt routine the setup
and proper body alignment is critical. Once you have determined your target
line you want to position your feet, hips and shoulders all parallel to the
target line. In addition you want to position your eyes directly over the ball.
Without a proper setup you well not become accurate and your ball well travel
in the wrong path.
Form a “V” Shape with Your Upper Body:
A key fundamental is
that your upper body forms a “V” shape with your shoulders and arms and they all
move together in unity. The putting stroke should mimic the pendulum movement
of a clock. Your shoulders will rotate during your stroke but your head must be
stable and your eyes always focused on the ball. The amount of speed that you
well apply to the ball well be based on the movement of your upper body. This
upper body movement and the length of your stroke is what controls your
distance. You want to develop a smooth pace to your stroke with the ultimate
goal of keeping your putter head on the target line and square to the ball.
Maintain a Stationary Lower Body: Keep your hips, legs and feet all
stable during your stroke. Any small movement or shifting will throw your putt
off course or may add unnecessary power to your swing.
Keep Your Head Down and Eyes Over the
Ball: This is
probably the number one bad habit of beginners in that they have a tendency to
look up too soon to see where their putt is going. You must keep your head down
and steady with your eyes focused directly over the ball in order to achieve
positive results in putting. A good habit to follow is to count to two after
your entire stroke is completed before looking up .Legendary golfer Gary Player
says this is probably the number one important aspect to good putting. He goes
on to say that he does not look up but simply listens to whether or not the
ball has gone in.
Keep Your Wrists From Bending: Any bending, flexing or turning on the
wrists will result in poor accuracy and lack of distance control. Beginners
also have a tendency to apply speed to the ball by turning their wrists and
then snapping them back in place. You well not be able to develop consistency
with distance and also not be able to keep the putter head square during
impact.
Visualize Your Putt: Most professional PGA players well use
some type of visualization technique. Once you are set up and taking a few
practices putts, close your eyes briefly for a moment and visualize in your
mind the putt going in. This should be the last positive thought on your mind
right before you take your actual putt. Remove any negativity from your
thoughts and above all do not second guess yourself or start to reanalyze your
putt. If any of these thoughts surface then step away and clear your thoughts.
Further
recommendations for beginners starting out are to practice a lot of short three
foot putts. By sinking a lot of short putts this will send a positive message
to your subconscious and help build self confidence. Secondly for longer putts,
say fifteen feet or more, concentrate more on distance then on accuracy. Spend
more time on the correct distance and speed rather than trying to sink a long
putt. If it happens then great but your goal on long putts should be to get
close enough on your second putt in order to two putt the hole. Even for
professionals the percentages for long puts is not that high.
By simply
incorporating these seven key putting fundamentals early on you well be able to
develop a very successful putting game. Try not to over analyze your game too
much early on but to simply learn the basics first. Learning the basics first
is the best golf putting lesson for you to master.
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Putting Tips from Seve Ballesteros
Putting Lesson from PGA legion Seve Ballesteros
Putting Lesson Highlights:
- Explains the putting golf grip he used but also explains other techniques. Recommends for you to use a putting grip that is comfortable for you.
- Seve then goes over the proper putting setup and the correct posture. points out where to position your feet and to keep your eyes directly over the ball.
- The takeaway stroke needs to be straight back then straight forward.
- Keep your putter head square at impact.
- Keep your wrist quiet on short putts meaning very little wrists flexing.
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Putting Lesson Highlights:
- Explains the putting golf grip he used but also explains other techniques. Recommends for you to use a putting grip that is comfortable for you.
- Seve then goes over the proper putting setup and the correct posture. points out where to position your feet and to keep your eyes directly over the ball.
- The takeaway stroke needs to be straight back then straight forward.
- Keep your putter head square at impact.
- Keep your wrist quiet on short putts meaning very little wrists flexing.
List of all Articles & VideoTips
Teaches
the basic putting fundamentals key to a successful putting game. Illustrates
how to build a solid putting grip, proper eye position, correct upper and lower
body and implementing the upper body triangle method.
Steps toStay on Top of Your Putting Game by Staff Writer
Five Most Common Putting Mistakes by Jack
Moorehouse
Steps toStay on Top of Your Putting Game by Staff Writer
A key
factor in keeping your golf score down is staying on top of your putting game. We
have heard time and again that putting accounts for roughly forty percent of
the strokes in a game however, amateurs and weekend golfers still spend the
least amount of time keeping up with their putting game.
DevelopingPendulum Motion Putting Stroke by Scott Monroe
Scott
takes you step by step to develop the correct method for the pendulum putting
stroke.
How toPutt Lesson 101 for Beginners by Staff Writer
I
have outlined the key fundamentals that must be incorporated into your putting
game to be successful. Although putting styles do differ among professional
tour players there are certain fundamentals that they all follow.
PuttingTips from Seve Ballesteros by Seve Ballesteros
Explains
the putting golf grip he used but also explains other techniques. Seve then
goes over the proper putting setup and the correct posture. Points out where to
position your feet and to keep your eyes directly over the ball.
Steps toStay on Top of Your Putting Game by Staff Writer
A key
factor in keeping your golf score down is staying on top of your putting game. We
have heard time and again that putting accounts for roughly forty percent of
the strokes in a game however, amateurs and weekend golfers still spend the
least amount of time keeping up with their putting game.
How toProperly Setup By Brady Riggs
Proper
putting setup start with the grip. Keep the palms together. Recommends the
reverse overlap grip. Keep your forearms even. The forearms need to be parallel
to the target line
Steps fora Pre-Putt Putting Routine by Staff Writer
Putting
styles among professional PGA tour players do differ but one thing that is a
constant is that they all follow a pre-putt routine before every putt they
take.
Most
putts are from 5 to 15 feet. These short putts probably make up about 25-30
percent of your total score. You don't need a golf lesson to figure out that if
you sink more of these short putts, you'd lower your golf handicap by at least
a couple of strokes.
Golf Putting Tips For Reading Greens by Scott
Myer
If
your like me, you tend to think about golf 24-7, and what you need to do with
your putting game to lower your scores and play better golf. Now the biggest
difference between the weekend hacker and a Pro on tour is the ability to score
with their short game, more specifically, putting.
Four Simple Tips for Beginners by Robin Boddy
Whether
you having been playing golf for years or you are relatively new to the game,
more than likely if there is one area that you need some work on, it is your
putting.
Four Simple Tips for Beginners
By Robin Boddy
Whether you having been playing golf for years or you are relatively new to the game, more than likely if there is one area that you need some work on, it is your putting. You may be amazing at driving the golf ball a long ways, and you may even hit the green fairly well from a long distance, but if you cannot putt, winning will be very difficult. Much of the skill of golf is actually shown when you are putting on the green, and you can golf like a champ if you know how to putt like a pro. The following are some tips that can help you show off the next time you are putting on the green.
Tip #1 - Visualize - One of the most important things you can do to improve your putting is to visualize the putt. Try to visualize in your mind how the green moves and how you want the ball to move over the green into the hole. Once you get the picture in your mind, it is much easier to make the ball go into the cup for the big finish of your game.
Tip #2 - Practice - Probably the most important tip to putting like a pro is to practice. You can read tips on improving your putt all day long, but if you do not take the time to practice those tips they will never be able to help you. Take some time to practice putting until you feel comfortable and confident with your putting techniques.
Tip #3 - Avoid Using the Hands - Many people make the mistake of using their hands and wrists when they are putting, and while this is great for a very short putt, it will not help you out on the long putts that you are trying to master. Instead of using your wrists and hands, be sure that you actually use your arms and shoulders when you are trying to putt. If you are constantly coming up short on your putts, check how you are putting. More than likely you are using your hands and wrists instead of your arms and shoulders for the putt.
Tip #4 - Aim Just Past the Hole - Especially when you are putting uphill, you will want to be sure that you aim just past the hole. This helps you make sure that the ball goes into the cup instead of falling a few inches short.
Remember, most of your golf game is about how you putt, so be sure that you start taking time to work on improving your putt. Start using these tips and you are sure to improve the way you putt, which will help you improve your golf game as a whole. Before you know it all your practice will have you putting like a pro. For a free golf newsletter bestgolftipsplus.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Boddy http://EzineArticles.com/?Golf---How-to-Putt-Like-a-Pro&id=591218
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Whether you having been playing golf for years or you are relatively new to the game, more than likely if there is one area that you need some work on, it is your putting. You may be amazing at driving the golf ball a long ways, and you may even hit the green fairly well from a long distance, but if you cannot putt, winning will be very difficult. Much of the skill of golf is actually shown when you are putting on the green, and you can golf like a champ if you know how to putt like a pro. The following are some tips that can help you show off the next time you are putting on the green.
Tip #1 - Visualize - One of the most important things you can do to improve your putting is to visualize the putt. Try to visualize in your mind how the green moves and how you want the ball to move over the green into the hole. Once you get the picture in your mind, it is much easier to make the ball go into the cup for the big finish of your game.
Tip #2 - Practice - Probably the most important tip to putting like a pro is to practice. You can read tips on improving your putt all day long, but if you do not take the time to practice those tips they will never be able to help you. Take some time to practice putting until you feel comfortable and confident with your putting techniques.
Tip #3 - Avoid Using the Hands - Many people make the mistake of using their hands and wrists when they are putting, and while this is great for a very short putt, it will not help you out on the long putts that you are trying to master. Instead of using your wrists and hands, be sure that you actually use your arms and shoulders when you are trying to putt. If you are constantly coming up short on your putts, check how you are putting. More than likely you are using your hands and wrists instead of your arms and shoulders for the putt.
Tip #4 - Aim Just Past the Hole - Especially when you are putting uphill, you will want to be sure that you aim just past the hole. This helps you make sure that the ball goes into the cup instead of falling a few inches short.
Remember, most of your golf game is about how you putt, so be sure that you start taking time to work on improving your putt. Start using these tips and you are sure to improve the way you putt, which will help you improve your golf game as a whole. Before you know it all your practice will have you putting like a pro. For a free golf newsletter bestgolftipsplus.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Boddy http://EzineArticles.com/?Golf---How-to-Putt-Like-a-Pro&id=591218
List of all Articles & VideoTips
Teaches
the basic putting fundamentals key to a successful putting game. Illustrates
how to build a solid putting grip, proper eye position, correct upper and lower
body and implementing the upper body triangle method.
Steps toStay on Top of Your Putting Game by Staff Writer
Five Most Common Putting Mistakes by Jack
Moorehouse
Steps toStay on Top of Your Putting Game by Staff Writer
A key
factor in keeping your golf score down is staying on top of your putting game. We
have heard time and again that putting accounts for roughly forty percent of
the strokes in a game however, amateurs and weekend golfers still spend the
least amount of time keeping up with their putting game.
DevelopingPendulum Motion Putting Stroke by Scott Monroe
Scott
takes you step by step to develop the correct method for the pendulum putting
stroke.
How toPutt Lesson 101 for Beginners by Staff Writer
I
have outlined the key fundamentals that must be incorporated into your putting
game to be successful. Although putting styles do differ among professional
tour players there are certain fundamentals that they all follow.
PuttingTips from Seve Ballesteros by Seve Ballesteros
Explains
the putting golf grip he used but also explains other techniques. Seve then
goes over the proper putting setup and the correct posture. Points out where to
position your feet and to keep your eyes directly over the ball.
Steps toStay on Top of Your Putting Game by Staff Writer
A key
factor in keeping your golf score down is staying on top of your putting game. We
have heard time and again that putting accounts for roughly forty percent of
the strokes in a game however, amateurs and weekend golfers still spend the
least amount of time keeping up with their putting game.
How toProperly Setup By Brady Riggs
Proper
putting setup start with the grip. Keep the palms together. Recommends the
reverse overlap grip. Keep your forearms even. The forearms need to be parallel
to the target line
Steps fora Pre-Putt Putting Routine by Staff Writer
Putting
styles among professional PGA tour players do differ but one thing that is a
constant is that they all follow a pre-putt routine before every putt they
take.
Most
putts are from 5 to 15 feet. These short putts probably make up about 25-30
percent of your total score. You don't need a golf lesson to figure out that if
you sink more of these short putts, you'd lower your golf handicap by at least
a couple of strokes.
Golf Putting Tips For Reading Greens by Scott
Myer
If
your like me, you tend to think about golf 24-7, and what you need to do with
your putting game to lower your scores and play better golf. Now the biggest
difference between the weekend hacker and a Pro on tour is the ability to score
with their short game, more specifically, putting.
Four Simple Tips for Beginners by Robin Boddy
Whether
you having been playing golf for years or you are relatively new to the game,
more than likely if there is one area that you need some work on, it is your
putting.
Video Lesson on Basics Fundamentals
by PGA Professional Ted Stonehouse
Source: http://www.bellbay.ca/
Teaches the basic putting fundamentals key to a successful putting game. Illustrates how to build a solid putting grip, proper eye position, correct upper and lower body and implementing the upper body triangle method.
List of all Articles & VideoTips
Source: http://www.bellbay.ca/
Teaches the basic putting fundamentals key to a successful putting game. Illustrates how to build a solid putting grip, proper eye position, correct upper and lower body and implementing the upper body triangle method.
Summary of Key Putting Tips:
- Putting is very personal but there are certain key fundamentals you should follow
- Set up a good triangle upper body one piece setup and swing with a pendulum motion
- The upper body should swing as one complete unit
- Use the reverse overlap grip but extend your left index finger over top the right fingers in order to cut down on the wrists flexing
- Keep eyes directly over the golf ball
- In your stance have feet parallel along the target line
- Recommends that the back stroke length should be 1/3 and the follow through length 2/3
- Golf balls well break sooner on downhill lies. On uphill lies it well not break until it slows down.
List of all Articles & VideoTips
Teaches
the basic putting fundamentals key to a successful putting game. Illustrates
how to build a solid putting grip, proper eye position, correct upper and lower
body and implementing the upper body triangle method.
Steps toStay on Top of Your Putting Game by Staff Writer
Five Most Common Putting Mistakes by Jack
Moorehouse
Steps toStay on Top of Your Putting Game by Staff Writer
A key
factor in keeping your golf score down is staying on top of your putting game. We
have heard time and again that putting accounts for roughly forty percent of
the strokes in a game however, amateurs and weekend golfers still spend the
least amount of time keeping up with their putting game.
DevelopingPendulum Motion Putting Stroke by Scott Monroe
Scott
takes you step by step to develop the correct method for the pendulum putting
stroke.
How toPutt Lesson 101 for Beginners by Staff Writer
I
have outlined the key fundamentals that must be incorporated into your putting
game to be successful. Although putting styles do differ among professional
tour players there are certain fundamentals that they all follow.
PuttingTips from Seve Ballesteros by Seve Ballesteros
Explains
the putting golf grip he used but also explains other techniques. Seve then
goes over the proper putting setup and the correct posture. Points out where to
position your feet and to keep your eyes directly over the ball.
Steps toStay on Top of Your Putting Game by Staff Writer
A key
factor in keeping your golf score down is staying on top of your putting game. We
have heard time and again that putting accounts for roughly forty percent of
the strokes in a game however, amateurs and weekend golfers still spend the
least amount of time keeping up with their putting game.
How toProperly Setup By Brady Riggs
Proper
putting setup start with the grip. Keep the palms together. Recommends the
reverse overlap grip. Keep your forearms even. The forearms need to be parallel
to the target line
Steps fora Pre-Putt Putting Routine by Staff Writer
Putting
styles among professional PGA tour players do differ but one thing that is a
constant is that they all follow a pre-putt routine before every putt they
take.
Most
putts are from 5 to 15 feet. These short putts probably make up about 25-30
percent of your total score. You don't need a golf lesson to figure out that if
you sink more of these short putts, you'd lower your golf handicap by at least
a couple of strokes.
Golf Putting Tips For Reading Greens by Scott
Myer
If
your like me, you tend to think about golf 24-7, and what you need to do with
your putting game to lower your scores and play better golf. Now the biggest
difference between the weekend hacker and a Pro on tour is the ability to score
with their short game, more specifically, putting.
Four Simple Tips for Beginners by Robin Boddy
Whether
you having been playing golf for years or you are relatively new to the game,
more than likely if there is one area that you need some work on, it is your
putting.
Five Most Common Putting Mistakes
by: Jack Moorehouse
No one's shocked anymore when Tiger Woods drills a 20-foot putt to win a championship. He's one of the best clutch putters in the game. But did you know that when he practices putting Tiger spends more time working on short putts than long putts. That's right. One media sources estimates he spends about 65 percent of the time he spends practicing putting working on short putts.
Most putts are from 5 to 15 feet. These short putts probably make up about 25-30 percent of your total score. You don't need a golf lesson to figure out that if you sink more of these short putts, you'd lower your golf handicap by at least a couple of strokes. Unfortunately, weekend golfers tend to commit too many mistakes when facing short putts. Here are some common mistakes golfers make when putting and some drills on how to eliminate them.
Confidence is the Key
Many golfers flinch when they putt. Or, they rush the putt so much their stroke becomes choppy and uneven. You can become a great putter if your putting stroke is smooth and free flowing. Creating good rhythm in your putting stroke is the best way of eliminating flinching and rushing. No matter what style of putting you use, if you flinch or rush you'll probably miss lot of putts. Unfortunately, most golfers concentrate more on sinking putts than working on developing a smooth stroke.
Next time you're on the practice green, make some smooth pendulum strokes with your eyes closed. As you make your stroke, count out a simple cadence "one-two." "one-two." Once you feel a good flow, have a friend place a ball at his discretion in the path of your putter head. No knowing when the ball is coming helps eliminate the flinching or rushing that can cause you to miss those short putts.
No Putting Ritual
Another common mistake in putting is a lack of putting ritual. If watch Tiger Woods, Fred Funk, or Sergio Garcia putt, you'll notice that they all have a putting ritual. Their rituals are all different. One player walks all around the putt before stepping up to hit it. Another takes his practice strokes behind the ball. But the one thing that's not different is that they use the same ritual every time they make a putt, regardless of the length or difficulty. Develop your own putting ritual. Base it on sound putting techniques and what makes you feel comfortable. And use it every time you have a putt. You'll find that a ritual not only relaxes you and helps build confidence in your putting.
Worry about Outcomes
Weekend players worry too much about the outcome of a short putt. What if I miss the putt? This places a lot of pressure on the golfer. Since the pressure of outcomes is tied directly to the hole, try eliminating it when you practice to relieve the pressure. Next time you're on the practice green, work on drills that improve your putting accuracy without using the hole. For example, place a scorecard over the hole and try to roll the ball over the card, so that the ball ends about two feet past the hole. These drills will improve your accuracy without the added pressure of sinking the putt.
Choking the Putter
A common mistake I see in my golf instruction sessions on putting is players gripping their putters too tightly. Some players grip their putters so tight, their hands almost turn white. A soft and constant grip pressure is vital to maintaining a smooth, free-flowing stroke and creating better "feel" when putting. For players who think they may be choking the putter, try holding an uncooked egg between your right index finger (or left index finger, if your left-handed) and the shaft of your putter. Now drop a few balls and stroke some putts. If your grip is too tight, you'll soon know.
Too Handsy
Another common mistake I see in golf instruction sessions on putting is players using too much of their hands in their putting stroke. Being too handsy eliminates the true feel of a smooth, free-swinging pendulum and cause jerky inconsistent putts. One remedy is to use a belly putter. Simply anchor the putter to a comfortable point on your midsection and swing away. Add a "one-two" count to the stroke to improve rhythm. This approach reduces the amount of movement in the smaller muscles in your hand and keeps the blade on plane.
Eliminating these common mistakes from your putting will not only build rhythm in your putting stroke, they'll also help increase your confidence in your putting. That's big. Ask any professional golfer what the key to great putting is and he or she will probably tell you it's confidence. Great putters are shocked when they miss a short putt. That's how confident they are. To improve your golf handicap, you need to work on things that build confidence and increase accuracy your short putting.
Copyright (c) 2007 Jack Moorehouse
About The Author
Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction. How to Break 80
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No one's shocked anymore when Tiger Woods drills a 20-foot putt to win a championship. He's one of the best clutch putters in the game. But did you know that when he practices putting Tiger spends more time working on short putts than long putts. That's right. One media sources estimates he spends about 65 percent of the time he spends practicing putting working on short putts.
Most putts are from 5 to 15 feet. These short putts probably make up about 25-30 percent of your total score. You don't need a golf lesson to figure out that if you sink more of these short putts, you'd lower your golf handicap by at least a couple of strokes. Unfortunately, weekend golfers tend to commit too many mistakes when facing short putts. Here are some common mistakes golfers make when putting and some drills on how to eliminate them.
Confidence is the Key
Many golfers flinch when they putt. Or, they rush the putt so much their stroke becomes choppy and uneven. You can become a great putter if your putting stroke is smooth and free flowing. Creating good rhythm in your putting stroke is the best way of eliminating flinching and rushing. No matter what style of putting you use, if you flinch or rush you'll probably miss lot of putts. Unfortunately, most golfers concentrate more on sinking putts than working on developing a smooth stroke.
Next time you're on the practice green, make some smooth pendulum strokes with your eyes closed. As you make your stroke, count out a simple cadence "one-two." "one-two." Once you feel a good flow, have a friend place a ball at his discretion in the path of your putter head. No knowing when the ball is coming helps eliminate the flinching or rushing that can cause you to miss those short putts.
No Putting Ritual
Another common mistake in putting is a lack of putting ritual. If watch Tiger Woods, Fred Funk, or Sergio Garcia putt, you'll notice that they all have a putting ritual. Their rituals are all different. One player walks all around the putt before stepping up to hit it. Another takes his practice strokes behind the ball. But the one thing that's not different is that they use the same ritual every time they make a putt, regardless of the length or difficulty. Develop your own putting ritual. Base it on sound putting techniques and what makes you feel comfortable. And use it every time you have a putt. You'll find that a ritual not only relaxes you and helps build confidence in your putting.
Worry about Outcomes
Weekend players worry too much about the outcome of a short putt. What if I miss the putt? This places a lot of pressure on the golfer. Since the pressure of outcomes is tied directly to the hole, try eliminating it when you practice to relieve the pressure. Next time you're on the practice green, work on drills that improve your putting accuracy without using the hole. For example, place a scorecard over the hole and try to roll the ball over the card, so that the ball ends about two feet past the hole. These drills will improve your accuracy without the added pressure of sinking the putt.
Choking the Putter
A common mistake I see in my golf instruction sessions on putting is players gripping their putters too tightly. Some players grip their putters so tight, their hands almost turn white. A soft and constant grip pressure is vital to maintaining a smooth, free-flowing stroke and creating better "feel" when putting. For players who think they may be choking the putter, try holding an uncooked egg between your right index finger (or left index finger, if your left-handed) and the shaft of your putter. Now drop a few balls and stroke some putts. If your grip is too tight, you'll soon know.
Too Handsy
Another common mistake I see in golf instruction sessions on putting is players using too much of their hands in their putting stroke. Being too handsy eliminates the true feel of a smooth, free-swinging pendulum and cause jerky inconsistent putts. One remedy is to use a belly putter. Simply anchor the putter to a comfortable point on your midsection and swing away. Add a "one-two" count to the stroke to improve rhythm. This approach reduces the amount of movement in the smaller muscles in your hand and keeps the blade on plane.
Eliminating these common mistakes from your putting will not only build rhythm in your putting stroke, they'll also help increase your confidence in your putting. That's big. Ask any professional golfer what the key to great putting is and he or she will probably tell you it's confidence. Great putters are shocked when they miss a short putt. That's how confident they are. To improve your golf handicap, you need to work on things that build confidence and increase accuracy your short putting.
Copyright (c) 2007 Jack Moorehouse
About The Author
Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction. How to Break 80
List of all Articles & VideoTips
