January 2009 Putting Tips
Welcome, and thank you for joining us this month once again.
A big question that many amateur golfers have is: 'How do I avoid three putts?' If we look closely at why many players three putt, there are a few simple answers. A three putt is most likely to occur when a player has a long first putt and they either do one of two things, leave the putt four to six feet short of the hole, or roll the putt four to six feet past the hole. The key to having less three putts on your score card at the end of your round is learning how to make those four to six footers on a consistent basis. Here is a drill that if practiced on a regular basis, will help you eliminate most, if not all, of your three putts. Keep in mind, touring pros only make 50 percent of their four to six footers, hard to believe, but it's true.
Drill:
Find a flat area on your practice green. The reason for finding a straight putt from this distance to practice is that if you practice a four foot putt with break you may make a good stroke but just have the incorrect speed and miss the putt, where as with a straight putt if you make a good stroke you will hole the putt, therefore knowing that your practice is helping you.
There are a few keys to practicing this drill in a correct manner:
First of all, make sure that your putter head is moving back in a straight direction. Again also make sure your putter is moving through the ball in a straight direction.
Always make sure that your putter head alignment is square to your target hole. This is a very common fault in poor putters. Try and really concentrate on your putter head being square to the hole. You will see fantastic results if you can achieve this.
Finally, set a goal for yourself. An example would be making twenty four footers in a row and then making twenty five footers in a row and so on.
Remember the three P's when practicing this drill: Practice, Patience & Perseverance and you will eliminate three putts in your next round of golf.
Don't miss your tee time,
See you soon!