Golf Tips Putting

Hi Everyone,

Actually, I was going to name this post “In Search of the Holey Grail”, but my fearless editor suggested that everyone will think I don’t know how to spell “holy”. I was quite indignant because I know what a savvy lot I’ve got for readers and I knew they would pick it up in a flash. My real suspicion is she didn’t think it was that clever.

If you are a deeply analytical person I suggest you check out Dave Pelz’s Putting Bible or get Stan Utley’s stuff. There are some truly horrendous and long winded articles you can research, but if you don’t want to put a few million brain cells at risk, please avoid them. If the action is as complex as they suggest, you won’t be able to replicate it anyway.

Here is a nugget you should store in the old memory bank: Touring pros make only 50% of their putts from 6 feet. Read that over 3 more times while moving your lips. (Hint: they play for money!)

Now here are the elements of good putting:

• No matter what kind of stroke or method you choose, you must get the face back to square at impact;

• You must strike the ball in the sweet spot (usually, but not always the center of the putter face);

• You have to read the break or line of the putt correctly.

Change your stroke, change your life, click here.

I am not going to talk about green reading here because I honestly believe that you need to experience it. A good putter at your own club can really help here. If you can pick up something by Dave Stockton, Champions Tour player, on green reading you will find it most reliable. Mr. Stockton recommends that you always read your putt from below the hole (the low side); this is especially helpful if you are unsure of which way it will break.

As for the other two elements of the stroke, here is the information that you must absolutely incorporate into your putting vocabulary. Most players try to keep the putter blade square throughout the stroke. Here is what usually happens: in trying to keep the face square, the player will close the face on the back swing and then open it on the through swing. In that brief moment of transition from closed to open you must hit the ball with that “square” putter face. As well, you must hit it solidly. It gets really tricky on longer putts because the “opening and closing” gets more pronounced and players often impart glancing blows on the ball.

The other main putting method is the “inside - square - inside method taught by Stan Utley among others. (Go to Youtube and type in Stan’s name and you will get a visual of what the path of the putter should look like). If you can’t put in a lot of practice, this can be a pretty unforgiving putting style to have in your arsenal. This method is very good on longer putts as long as you release the putter - that is, let the face square up. It can be a bugger on shorter putts if you get into the rut of either not closing the face (to square) or letting the toe of the putter come around too much thus pulling the putt. I truly think you should pick up one of those putting arc trainers if you want to master this stroke.

Irrespective of which method you choose, you must keep the putter on the correct path if you hope to become a solid putter. The problem for most players is the putter is wandering all over the place on the backswing. In fact, if you look at a player like Billy Mayfair, you will see where he had a distinctive loop in his putting stroke. He now has gone to the belly putter to help stabilize the putter and minimize the wiggling around. For your own edification, wander in behind folks on the practice putting green (but not too close!)... and look at the putter face on the backswing. You will soon realize that a lot of players have a pretty snakey action.

I have just reviewed a new method which has emerged recently. I am pretty skeptical of the “flavour of the day” method, but I also like to think I am open-minded. They sent me a copy for free (which made me think they might be on to something if they are keen to get it out there).

My opinion? It is certainly different, but not goofy quirky. They don’t have you chanting some old Scottish mantra or anything that would make you look any more foolish than you look now. The verdict? This darn method really works! You start the putt online every time and you hit the ball solidly. Unless you have misread the putt, or get your weight wrong, ball after ball heads straight at and into the hole.

You can get their putting dvd for free  (Just pay the guys for shipping ... fair deal.) Unless you are a complete monkey, you will have the method down within 12 to 15 minutes. Don’t say anything to your golf buds and see if they notice a marked improvement in your putting. And for goodness sake, keep the secret to yourself! This actually does what the innovators say it does... now there is a refreshing change, wouldn’t you agree? You will be a whole lot better short putter than you are now. No point in me guaranteeing anything since you didn’t pay the guys anything for it in the first place.

What’s the catch? You will have to go to their website and check it out for yourself. This may very likely be your best putting season ever (or since you were 16 and were a brain dead teen who sunk everything).

 Do yourself a favor, do it now, go here, don't wait.

Never let it be said that you don’t get good ... and inexpensive... advice from your golfing pack members here on this site!!!!  Frankly, now that you have a real putting stroke, you can begin to invest a little more time learning how to read those greens.