| Want to lower your score fast! Develop Golf Putting | | | | behind the ball. Place a coin about 6 inches in front of |
| Techniques, arguably the fastest way to lower your | | | | the ball. By striking the tee lightly on the backstroke and |
| score. | | | | swinging smoothly forward, watching that the putter |
| Many Golfers, seniors and others, tend to restrict | | | | head stays square your ball should roll directly over the |
| putting practice to a few casual putts before the | | | | coin. Practice this tip sufficiently and you will, without |
| game on a practice green which will also probably not | | | | doubt reduce your scores. |
| even come close to mirror the greens on the course. | | | | Maintain a Smooth Swing |
| Together with a few side bets, bantering, chirping and | | | | The smooth swing is one of golf putting techniques |
| joking is the order of the day on the practice | | | | fundamentals yet it so easily forgotten. Once again |
| green...and then we wonder why bad putting is costing | | | | substantial practice can ensure a smooth, accelerating |
| us strokes! | | | | swing allowing you to strike the ball solidly. |
| The scenario; | | | | Peg a tee into the ground 12 inches behind the ball. A |
| Great drive down the centre of the fairway, 5 iron | | | | slow, smooth backstroke should barely touch the tee |
| lands on the fringe of the green, the chip runs 6 feet | | | | and then immediately swing and accelerate forward. |
| past, fast green. Putt back still 2 feet short, slow | | | | Your arms should move in a pendulum fashion from |
| coming back...obviously. Now for the "yips" putt...bogey | | | | your shoulders while keeping your hands still. "Practice |
| or double bogey! | | | | makes perfect" at it will reduce your scores. |
| Bet you can relate to this. How many times has it | | | | Achieve distance control |
| happened to you? | | | | Great, now we keep the putter face square and |
| Any experience senior golfer will confirm that the short | | | | swing perfectly. Of all the golf putting techniques, the |
| game, and putting specifically can and will wreak | | | | most crucial is controlling the distance your putt rolls. |
| havoc with your score without solid golf putting | | | | This is only mastered through practice, practice, |
| techniques. | | | | practice. Why, because it is about "touch or feel" |
| Putting constitutes approximately 40% of the game for | | | | around and on the green. |
| all handicaps and as such is arguably the most | | | | Although there are plenty exercises to practice |
| important scoring skill in golf. | | | | distance control I believe that the old tried, tested and |
| There is absolutely no reason whatsoever why every | | | | proven formula of putting from one tee to the next on |
| golfer, senior, junior, tall, short, wide, thin, cannot become | | | | a green is still the best. |
| proficient at putting. | | | | Why do we not just practice putting to the cup? |
| The most obvious but very important basic putting skills | | | | Although accuracy and distance together are essential, |
| are: | | | | it would be a distraction to try both disciplines together. |
| 1. Keep the face square | | | | How to practice! Peg 4 to 6 tees about 4 feet apart |
| 2. Maintain a smooth swing | | | | on the green and practice getting the ball to each tee |
| 3. Distance - the ability to lag the ball close to the hole | | | | consistently. A few inches past is good, but we do not |
| 4. Accuracy - the ability to make short putts | | | | want to see a ball stopping short..."never up - never in" |
| To achieve good solid putting techniques golfers must | | | | This practice regime will in effect also passively help |
| practice often and on various types of greens, from | | | | with accuracy. |
| various directions. It is too late to putt on the practice | | | | Invest time and energy to master the above 3 tips and |
| green at the course prior to being called for your | | | | you are assured of a lower scorecard. There are |
| game. | | | | many variations of golf putting techniques on the |
| Although there are numerous putting tips plastered all | | | | market but I am a firm believer that sticking to the |
| over the internet the following simple and effective golf | | | | "KISS" (keep it simple stupid!) principle will bring the |
| putting techniques have helped me to reduce my | | | | desired result. It has for me. |
| handicap to 10. | | | | Bonus Tip; Putting statistics will help to find out exactly |
| Spend time concentrating on these three essentials: | | | | where you need more practice. Keep a record of |
| Keep the Face of the Putter Square: | | | | putts per round, putts from various distances and putts |
| It is easy to get into the habit of an open or closed | | | | for birdie, par or bogey. Putting averages are available |
| blade when putting and then compensating. | | | | on the internet to allow you to measure up against the |
| I suggest you try this neat tip! | | | | average. |
| Peg a tee in the ground approximately 12 inches | | | | |