Putt for Dough
There should be two kinds of putts....the first putt and the second putt. If the first putt is good, then the second putt is easy or even eliminated. So let’s focus on how to putt for the dough...as they say, because becoming a great putter can make up for many other sins.
When discussing putting one has heard it all. . .There are as many theories, preferences, stances, set-ups and of course, advice....”keep your head down”; “don’t move”; “listen for it”; “eyes over the ball”, “follow through”; “left hand low”; “buy a new putter”; and on and on.
So much information! Let’s simplify and start with three basic fundamentals:
What must the ball do?. . .ROLL and roll well . . .end over end.
What must the putter do? . . SWING
What must you do?. . .SWING the putter to ROLL the ball
Simple - let’s first understand what a good roll means. To roll, according to Webster, means to revolve or rotate around an axis. The idea of putting then is to create topspin or to roll the bottom of the ball over the top. True roll results in more distance, with less force and keeps the ball better on line or tracking better. The ball rolls farther with less reaction to variables such as grain or slopes producing a more consistent result. When the ball rolls end over end it can now fall into the cup from either edge, not just the center, which increases the width of the hole by 2/3rds. That is a lot and you make more putts that way!
Secondly is to understand how to swing or how to use the putter to roll the ball. Often you heard it should be like a pendulum - yes and no. Swinging like a pendulum simply means to move the putter equal distances on either side according to the distance of the putt. The term releasing the putter simply means to impart some speed or energy to the ball, not by flipping or angling the face up.
To roll the ball end over end means to keep the putter head square to the intended line, yet. . .here is the important part. . .to keep the face as perpendicular to the ground for as long as possible.
Thirdly. . .Now how do you do that? Your hands operate the putter no matter what type of grip you use, how you stand, or how you see the line. Therefore, your hands move the putter and should move approximately the same distance back and through as the putter head. If your hands stop as they approach the ball and the putter head keeps moving to strike the ball the face angle will change the direction, not only to your intended line, but also the relationship to the ground. This creates sidespin and does not allow the ball to stay on line well.
Therefore. . .To keep the putter square to the line and square to the ground, your hands must move forward while keeping your wrist position the same or quiet as possible.
After learning to roll the ball, distance and direction can then be more easily understood and accomplished. Other factors then can be introduced such as reading greens to determine not only distance, which is 99% of every putt, but then how much break to allow.
A variety of drills can lead to more effective putting, such as: The “Track Drill” to putt between two clubs on the ground; “Fringe Benefits” to putt from several distances to the fringe; “Round the Clock” drill to putt around the hole from 3 feet; “Ladder” drill to put 10 balls in a line one foot apart and putt to within a 3 foot circle around the hole.