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■ ULTIMATE PUTTING GUIDE INSTRUCTION In association with
PACE MAKER
Perhaps the most important skill behind rock solid
putting is pace control. If you can develop a reliable
feel for the speed of greens you’ll reduce your three-
putt stats and perhaps start holing the odd 30-footer.
Here’s an excellent drill designed specifically to
improve your distance control. Hit a series of putts –
without aiming at any specific target – trying to make
each shot go twice as far as the last. Once you’ve
mastered this (and it’s harder than you think, so it
might take a while) try the same drill with your eyes
closed. Instinctive distance control comes guaranteed.
TOP UNDERSTANDING
25
COACHES
THE STROKE
When putting from short range a simple, straight
ANDREW JONES back-and-through stroke will help you keep the club
LONG PUTTING
head on line throughout, making you as accurate as
possible. From longer distances, however, your stroke
will naturally change. As your arms swing around
your body the stroke will move along an arc as shown
above. Remember that this is natural, and trying to
swing the putter straight back and through from
long range may lead to inconsistency.
No matter how good your long game is, you’ll always need to putt well from distance
to keep a good score intact. My tips and drills are designed to optimise your touch for
Photography: Tom Miles
a more instinctive, natural feel on the greens.
8 GOLF MONTHLY ULTIMATE PUTTING GUIDE IN ASSOCIATION WITH PING GOLF MONTHLY ULTIMATE PUTTING GUIDE IN ASSOCIATION WITH PING 9
■ ULTIMATE PUTTING GUIDE INSTRUCTION In association with
STOP AT
THE TOP
A smooth rhythm is an
important factor behind
controlling the speed of
your putts, so it’s
important to devote
time to this in practice.
If you’ve been playing
regular competition
golf, chances are that
your stroke will have
become slightly jerky.
If so, concentrate on
stopping for a fraction
of a second at the top
BASIC of the backswing in
practice. This will help
MECHANICS you groove a smooth
acceleration through IMPROVE YOUR FOCUS
The next time you get the the ball for consistent
opportunity to practise your distance control. One thing that I always find helpful in competition,
putting, devote a little time to especially on the greens, is to wear a cap. The peak
checking the fundamentals. helps to create a kind of tunnel vision that allows me
Firstly, a light grip will allow your to block out any peripheral distractions. Focusing
wrists to remain soft throughout solely on the job in hand, I find that this simple tip
the stroke – and that’s crucial for a helps improve consistency on the greens.
smooth motion. Now concentrate
on your ball position. Ideally it
should sit in the middle of the
stance – many players have the
ball too far forward in a bid to
promote topspin, but this can
cause an off-centre contact.
Finally, be sure to keep a small
amount of flex in your knees.
This will help you feel relaxed yet
athletic in the set up position.
Photography: Tom Miles, shot on location at Al Hamra, UAE
PERFECT SYMMETRY
As I’ve already explained, a good putting stroke will involve no jerky, awkward
movements. Another drill that will help you groove a smooth stroke is to put two
tees in the ground, about a metre apart, and place your ball directly between
them. Now make a series of strokes ensuring that the putter head only moves as
far back and through as the tees. This simple drill will help you build a smoother,
more symmetrical stroke that will optimise your pace control.
10 GOLF MONTHLY ULTIMATE PUTTING GUIDE IN ASSOCIATION WITH PING GOLF MONTHLY ULTIMATE PUTTING GUIDE IN ASSOCIATION WITH PING 11
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