Putting is around half of your golfing score, but how many of you practice your stroke, or alignment, change your grip, or even have a putting lesson? Yes, that’s right – a lesson!! Never thought of it!
One of the most important factors in golf is the ball position. Don’t forget it is the back of the ball that you are stroking with the putter, and not the centre. I always teach that the back of the ball is in the middle of your stance, or slightly forward of this, if you are using a square-to-square stroke.
Gripping the golf putter can be done in so many ways, but it is important not to have a dominant hand, as you are looking for a relaxed combination of shoulders, arm and hands for a smooth stroke.
I like to see the golf putter relaxed in your hand – it is necessary to control the putter head, as it can weigh as much as half a kilo. It is important to lock the grip in your hands with the soft thumb pad in both hands, and the forefinger on your left – this will help to stop the putter from twisting off line, plus curling the right hand forefinger underneath the shaft (not down).
The Grip:
- With the golf putter straight out in front of you, grip the golf putter in a two-handed baseball position.
- Now let the forefinger on your left hand point down the shaft,
- Pull the right hand up the grip until it comfortably meets the left hand.
- Now rest the left hand forefinger over the fingers on your right hand, neither hand is dominant and the shoulders are now near square to your hips and feet when you are in a putting position – aren’t they?!
Now you have gripped the golf putter correctly, it is important to realise that the length of the shaft is the predominant factor in getting your eyes directly over the ball, as this is important for getting a consistence in reading the putting line from ball to hole, or target point. This line is always the same, whether 3 ft or 30 ft long.
To grip your golf putter at the right length:-
- Address a golf ball in your normal putting position.
- Now have a friend plumb bob the line from your eyes to the ball.
- With a relaxed grip move yourself backward or forward until you have a perfect vertical position from eye line to ball.
- Re-grip, whenever your hands are holding the putter grip,
- Mark the position and use it in future putts. Your eyes will now consistently be over the ball.
Having previously worked on grip and ball positions, it is as important to get your stance correct. Your feet should feel comfortably apart, never too narrow, and your weight should be biased towards your toes – not as most people tend to address the ball with the weight on their heels.
The top half of your body should be towards a horizontal position, ie your shoulders, neck and back of your head. If you are standing too upright, there is a tendency to direct the weight of your body towards your heels. You should be looking straight down over the ball and through the centre of your eye and not out of the lower part of the eye.
Whilst it is important to get your upper body and balance position correct, one of the most crucial parts of your putting stroke is to understand is the positioning of the legs – actually your knees. Make a putting stroke and see what happens. Move did they? Why?
The easiest way to stop your lower body moving during your putting stroke is to make yourself knock-kneed. This will automatically put your weight onto the inside of the sole of your shoes. Now, if you make a stroke you will see that the lower body, legs and knees stay still. Try putting a toilet roll between your knees and practice your stroke. Positive stroke isn’t it? – and no lower movement!
You never ever hit at the ball!! You stroke through it. Try putting as normal, probably with a half distance back the same distance through. Did the ball jump and move off line? – and when it slowed, did it take the break quickly? If the ball is hit with a sharp hammer type stroke, the first few inches of the ball’s movement will be airborne.
Try putting with a quarter distance back stroke and a longer three-quarter distance follow through. This will lead to greater acceleration. Now you will find that the ball gets to roll much quicker than before – it stays straighter longer and fights against taking the break (if there was one).
Next time you practice putting try this:
- With your normal golf ball, make a thin line circumnavigating it.
- Now place the ball on the ground with the line vertical.
- In your normal stance, try stroking through the ball, not at it. Bearing in mind that the ball only rolls on about a half inch wide band, watch this until it comes to a stop. Did it stay upright longer? I think so!
If you really want to perfect your through stroke, try putting in a normal position, but with your eyes closed. Think you will miss the ball? I very much doubt it, but what you will find is that if you watch the ball roll after the stroke has finished, you will see the ball rolls perfectly straight – why? You stroked through it and not at it, because your eyes were closed you never knew when to hit and only created a putting stroke.
Only one degree of face variation (open/closing) will miss a 12 ft putt, so it is critical not to over accentuate. Remember, stroke through it – not hit at it.
First the back stroke, then the through the ball stroke and their finish. Yes – what about the finish? If you watch your playing partners on Pro’s on TV, see what happens. Normally the club head recoils. Try having a practice putting stroke where the finish is held still. This will give you a different feel – a more positive – I’m in control!!
