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Saturday, May 8, 2010

Putting Tip: Think Distance and Speed Control on Longer Putts

Let’s simplify putting into three basic elements; line,speed, and equipment (Let's leave putters out of the equation for now, and focus on line and speed). Golfers tend to concentrate on line more than distance, especially on breaking putts. But, does it make sense to practice that way? Read on and consider a different way of prioritizing your focus.

Did you know that professional golfers make no more than 50% of their 6 footers? If it seems like they make a lot more than that, it’s probably because the golfers we watch on TV are generally the ones on or near the leader board and are therefore the players who are hot that week. If you average in the entire field, you would see about half of their 6 foot putts missed. So, if you are practicing longer putts, do so with the intention of improving your distance control, not just making them. If you are expecting to roll in a high percentage of 16 footers, you will only dent your confidence. That doesn’t help anything. Instead, try the putting drill below and build your technique, touch and confidence.

Here's what to do; place 4 tees in the green in increments of 8 feet. Putt from one location to each of the tees. Putt one ball to 8’, the next to 16’, another to 24’, and finally one to 32’. Putt one ball only to each tee. This duplicates real golf more effectively; we rarely get two putts of the same distance one after the other. Next, repeat the sequence in reverse; putt to 24’, 16’, then to 8’. Or, mix it up. Just make sure each putt is a different distance. You will soon get a feel for the take-away distance required for each putt length.

The longer the putt, the more you should focus on distance control. Let’s face it, the odds of making a 40+ foot putt are slim. Long putts that are a fraction of a degree off-line will not threaten the hole. So, even though direction is important, there is more potential variance in distance. How many times have you putted too long or too short by 6 feet or more? That’s the stuff 3-putts are made of. Work on distance/speed control and significantly reduce those round-ruiners!

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