Three Fundamentals to Becoming a Better Putter
In order to become a better putter, there are several skills that need to be honed.
With practice, any golfer can improve these skills.
Some of the skills involve fundamentals related to set up and execution and other skills are more subtle as they are dependent upon powers of observation.
Here is a quick review of these important skills involving observation, setup and execution.
I am going to start of with a discussion of the importance of the powers of observation.
Before any significant putt is ever struck, a skilled player will have made a series of observations.
The lay of the green, including the slope and curvature of the green has been studied.
The distance to the hole from the ball has been approximated.
The player has looked at the grain of the green.
If it is shinier towards the hole, this is an indication of down grain which will mean the putt is going to be quicker; if duller in appearance, into the grain thus making the putt a bit slower than otherwise.
If the surface color of the grass does not readily give away the direction of the grain, a quick inspection of the hole will usually do so.
The side of the hole more damaged will be the direction in which the grain is growing.
The player remembers that gravity trumps grain always! A skilled player will also taker care to observe prior putts rolled on the green, if possible, to see their behavior before striking his putt in turn.
All this behavior is cataloged under what I call the powers of observation.
It can save you strokes.
For purposes of set up, the key fundamental is to repeat your process.
There are a variety of ways to set up and execute a successful putting stroke.
The best putters follow their process without exception and repeat it over and over regardless of the outcome.
In creating your fundamental set up process where you address the ball, it is important that you feel comfortable in the final address position you select.
If you are not comfortable, it is very unlikely that you will make many putts.
It is also quite important that your eyes be centered over the ball at address.
In regards to execution, there is no victory for a double minded man! Commitment is the name of the game when it comes to putting.
Make up your mind and give the putt a solid rap.
Countless putts are missed by the error of failure to follow the swing through on the stroke which leads to a cut stroke and putt that ends up tailing off and to the right or short.
Make up your mind and hit it.
A bit of practice canning three to four footers prior to the round will build your confidence when you are faced with the real thing for the first time during your round.
All good putters three putt from time to time.
Don't let an occasional error upset your game.
Concentrate with your powers of observation on the next green and you might be pleasantly surprised when you hear that happy clunk and chalk up a one putt.
With practice, any golfer can improve these skills.
Some of the skills involve fundamentals related to set up and execution and other skills are more subtle as they are dependent upon powers of observation.
Here is a quick review of these important skills involving observation, setup and execution.
I am going to start of with a discussion of the importance of the powers of observation.
Before any significant putt is ever struck, a skilled player will have made a series of observations.
The lay of the green, including the slope and curvature of the green has been studied.
The distance to the hole from the ball has been approximated.
The player has looked at the grain of the green.
If it is shinier towards the hole, this is an indication of down grain which will mean the putt is going to be quicker; if duller in appearance, into the grain thus making the putt a bit slower than otherwise.
If the surface color of the grass does not readily give away the direction of the grain, a quick inspection of the hole will usually do so.
The side of the hole more damaged will be the direction in which the grain is growing.
The player remembers that gravity trumps grain always! A skilled player will also taker care to observe prior putts rolled on the green, if possible, to see their behavior before striking his putt in turn.
All this behavior is cataloged under what I call the powers of observation.
It can save you strokes.
For purposes of set up, the key fundamental is to repeat your process.
There are a variety of ways to set up and execute a successful putting stroke.
The best putters follow their process without exception and repeat it over and over regardless of the outcome.
In creating your fundamental set up process where you address the ball, it is important that you feel comfortable in the final address position you select.
If you are not comfortable, it is very unlikely that you will make many putts.
It is also quite important that your eyes be centered over the ball at address.
In regards to execution, there is no victory for a double minded man! Commitment is the name of the game when it comes to putting.
Make up your mind and give the putt a solid rap.
Countless putts are missed by the error of failure to follow the swing through on the stroke which leads to a cut stroke and putt that ends up tailing off and to the right or short.
Make up your mind and hit it.
A bit of practice canning three to four footers prior to the round will build your confidence when you are faced with the real thing for the first time during your round.
All good putters three putt from time to time.
Don't let an occasional error upset your game.
Concentrate with your powers of observation on the next green and you might be pleasantly surprised when you hear that happy clunk and chalk up a one putt.
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