So many golfers miss putts from inside six feet because they do not accelerate the putterhead at impact. This lack of conviction can make the putter unstable and erratic at a time when accurate contact is important.
Making your practise more challenging by reducing the width of the hole is a great way to not only refine your technique but also instil confidence when undertaking the activity for real as the hole returns back to its normal size, seemingly increasing the target.
For this drill, place two tees two inches in front of the hole and some two inches apart. Repeat around the hole to give you four ‘avenues’. This space gives you just enough room for a ball to pass as well as reducing the hole width, resulting in your focus becoming more specific. Start at three feet working your way around the hole.
Once you can comfortably hole putts without too many deflections, step it back – see how far you can achieve.
And another thing…
A lot of club golfers struggle to produce a putting stroke that consistently starts the golf ball on the correct line at the correct pace. This can be caused through excessively using the wrists throughout the stroke, a movement which affects both the path and the dynamic loft of the putter.
For putts of no more than six feet, hold a club in alignment with the shaft of the putter and secure it against your sternum. This will encourage a pendulum motion that is controlled by the shoulders, reducing the need to get the wrists involved. This simple drill gives you greater control of the clubhead.
Scott Clark is a PGA teaching pro at the Colin Montgomerie Links Golf Academy at Turnberry. For lessons, call Scott on 01655 334190. Follow him on Twitter @ScottClarkPGA
Originally published on bunkered on October 12, 2012.
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