So you need some help on the green?
Do you want to lower your scores? Reduce your handicap? Win the next club competition? Then you're going to need to putt better. If you're taking more than one three-putt in a round then you're dropping lots of shots that I could save for you easily. If you're struggling with your putting then try some of these tips and see if it helps.
Distance is king on longer putts...
In my opinion, the biggest error that most golfers make on the green is focusing more on the line of longer putts and less on the speed that you need to hit the ball. I often see golfers send the ball on a pretty good line but finish well short, or far, past the hole. Unless there is an obvious break, then focus solely on the length of swing and the distance you want to hit the ball. Try to become much more aware of the distance you are from the hole when putting. You could even look at the hole and hit some putts to help you get a better sense of distance control. |
Focus on your start line for shorter putts...
Once you're close enough to the hole (inside 10ft) I like to see my golfers concentrate on getting the ball started on line. To practice this, start with a straight 6ft putt and place a putting gate* about halfway in between you and the hole on your intended line. See how many balls in a row you can roll between the gate and into the hole. It's useful to understand the importance of the clubface in putting. The ball will travel about 90% in the direction the clubface is pointing at impact. So if you find yourself hitting the right hand side of the gate consistently, the clubface might well be facing right at impact.
*You could use 2 long tees to putt through if you don't have any putting gates.
Once you're close enough to the hole (inside 10ft) I like to see my golfers concentrate on getting the ball started on line. To practice this, start with a straight 6ft putt and place a putting gate* about halfway in between you and the hole on your intended line. See how many balls in a row you can roll between the gate and into the hole. It's useful to understand the importance of the clubface in putting. The ball will travel about 90% in the direction the clubface is pointing at impact. So if you find yourself hitting the right hand side of the gate consistently, the clubface might well be facing right at impact.
*You could use 2 long tees to putt through if you don't have any putting gates.
Know your stats...
I hear so many golfers complain that they 3 putt because they missed a 6ft putt that they felt they should have made. Did you know that on average even the best players in the world miss around half of their putts from 8ft. Given this statistic then I wouldn't expect most club golfers to make that 6ft. Have a look at the stats opposite and see if you can set your expectations accordingly. You can see that even at 5ft an 18 handicapper is only going to make 50% of their putts on average.
I hear so many golfers complain that they 3 putt because they missed a 6ft putt that they felt they should have made. Did you know that on average even the best players in the world miss around half of their putts from 8ft. Given this statistic then I wouldn't expect most club golfers to make that 6ft. Have a look at the stats opposite and see if you can set your expectations accordingly. You can see that even at 5ft an 18 handicapper is only going to make 50% of their putts on average.