| You take almost half your shots around the | | | | |
| green during your round of golf. Concentrate | | | | From your previous practice swings, you know |
| on that last fifty percent and dramatically | | | | how you will swing the putter and no longer |
| improve your score. | | | | have to even think about that. Your line has |
| | | | been established and all you have to do is |
| Approach your putt the same as you do every | | | | swing your putter down your line to propel |
| shot, complete the pre-shot routine and | | | | your ball the correct distance. The goal is |
| execute. I have written about the first two | | | | to have enough velocity on your ball to carry |
| of three steps previously: The mental aspect | | | | it around 18 inches past the hole. If it |
| and reading the green. Now we address the | | | | doesn't get to the hole it will not go in. If |
| third and final step, execution. | | | | it goes two feet too far, you can easily make |
| | | | the come back putt. |
| After you have your mind right and have read | | | | |
| your putt, here is the template of how to | | | | Now, let us execute. Without breaking your |
| execute. | | | | left or right wrist, draw the putter back |
| | | | along the target line. |
| Take a temporary stance near the ball. Take | | | | |
| two or three practice swings while looking at | | | | How far you draw your putter back will |
| the hole, not your ball. These swings should | | | | determine how far your putt will travel. I |
| be similar to what you envision your putting | | | | prefer to have my back swing the same speed |
| stroke to be, BUT look at the hole, not the | | | | as my stroke with a continuous fluid event. |
| ball. | | | | |
| | | | On your forward stroke the putter MUST follow |
| Next, take your real stance. Your body, feet | | | | your target line just like your backstroke. |
| and shoulders should be aligned with the line | | | | Continue this stroke though impact and down |
| you want the ball to initially travel from | | | | the target line. **(Want to improve your |
| your strike. This stance should have your | | | | accuracy 50 to 100%?? After you strike the |
| feet shoulder width, eyes directly above the | | | | ball continue to stare at the spot your ball |
| ball, and weight completely balanced on your | | | | was at impact for several seconds. For |
| feet. It should feel completely natural. | | | | example: If you have an eight foot putt, you |
| | | | should hear the ball fall in the hole before |
| Your grip on the putter HAS to be light. (You | | | | you see it fall in the hole.) |
| should see the statistics on this!) Your putt | | | | |
| requires such accuracy that any hint of | | | | As a small side note - many professionals and |
| tension or taught muscles will inhibit a | | | | amateurs use a line drawn on the ball to |
| smooth sweep of your putter down your | | | | assist in alignment. |
| intended line. | | | | |
| | | | I do not use this technique, but it is valid |
| Once you are in your stance, do a quick check | | | | if you need help in aligning your putt. |
| of your alignment by looking at the hole, | | | | Others, use "spot putting", similar to |
| your intended line and your putter head. | | | | bowling in that they pick a spot a few feet |
| Next, do the critical step: Take several | | | | ahead and aim at that spot vs. the hole. I |
| seconds and look hard at the hole while | | | | have tried this over the years and have as |
| visualizing the path of your ball rolling | | | | much success using it as without. |
| into the hole. Since you have already gotten | | | | |
| your mind right and accurately read your | | | | Your final step in your entire putting event |
| putt, this will just put you in line with the | | | | is to avoid trampling the line of your |
| previous steps. When complete, you are | | | | opponents as you pick your ball out of the |
| completely ready to putt the ball in the | | | | bottom of the jar. Enjoy each of these trips! |
| hole. | | | | |