Delo’s Divots: Recently we talked about accuracy in regards to
putting and how we pick a spot on the green to aim our putts. The
other segment is distance. It is so critical to have the right
distance because you can aim correctly, but if you hit a putt too
hard it will not take the break until the ball passes the hole.
Recently we talked about accuracy in regards to putting and how we pick a spot on the green to aim our putts. The other segment is distance.
It is so critical to have the right distance because you can aim correctly, but if you hit a putt too hard it will not take the break until the ball passes the hole.
Touch and feel are difficult to teach. One shortcut to get you close is use the length of the stroke to dictate the length of the putt. If you have a long putt, your backstroke and follow-through will be longer than with a shorter putt.
Mathematically, you can use inches to feet. If you have a 10-foot putt, and the greens are pretty fast, you may take the putter back 1/2 inch per foot or about five inches and follow through at least the same. On slower greens, add length to the stroke.
Practice on the putting green before you play the course to get the green speed for that day or that course. One drill is to not putt at the same hole and length over and over. Get in the middle of the practice green. Hit a 3-footer, then a 12-footer, then a 25-footer, and an 8-footer.
Challenge yourself to adjust your stroke. It will help you a lot once you get out to play.
