What I learned at the range – 10

Lately I’ve been spending my time at the range doing nothing but putting. Here’s what I’ve learned about putting in the past few times out.

1. I miss short putts (2-3 feet) too many times. It is because my clubface opens on the backswing, but the short swing doesn’t give time for the clubface to close again coming into the ball. So I have developed a technique of hooding the clubface just a bit on the backswing so it stays square to the line. This technique works for putts out to twenty feet or so, after which when getting the ball close is a more realistic expectation than getting it in the hole.

2. To putt the ball farther, you swing the putter back farther. But there comes a point at which you lose connection with the ball and subject yourself to frequent mishits. There is only so far back you can take the putter and maintain control of the stroke. Past that point, to make the ball go farther, you have to hit it harder.

When I have a putt that I have to hit harder like this, I hit it like a chip. I’ll turn my feet a bit toward the hole, opening my stance. Then I’ll take the club back only a short way and use my right hand feel to hit the ball the right distance, like I would if I were chipping from just off the green with a 6-iron.

3. There are three kinds of putts. First are the ones you think you can sink. Line is paramount, so you spend your time aiming the putter and ensuring a square stroke and contact, using your normal putting stroke.

The second kind are beyond the point where you think you have a chance to make it, but can still get it close. The idea here is to cozy up the ball to the hole and give it a chance to fall in. The third kind is farther away than that, the true approach putt. All you want to do is get it close. Going in would be sheer luck.

Each of these putts can be hit with a different stroke. The second and third kind of putts can be hit successfully with the “chip-putt” method described above.

Visit www.therecreationalgolfer.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.