subject: Putting drills to improve your game [print this page] Putting drills to improve your game Putting drills to improve your game
In terms of scoring, putting is the most important part of the game. To improve in any area in golf, one must practice consistently. This is no different for putting. To putt better you must practice on fundamentals, which include green reading and developing a sense of feel for the golf green. To be a good putter takes a good technique, concentration and lots of practice. If you can not putt as well as you would like, I would recommend doing two things. (Ping G15 Fairway Wood) First, try out different types of putting grip styles. For instance, try out the claw grip or a grip with the left hand farthest away from you (for a right handed golfer). Second, you may want to consider getting a new putter. Many players lack confidence in putting. In some cases they actually fear this part of the game taking away all the enjoyment. Positive thinking certainly helps your confidence but good technique and a lot of practice is a must. Along with doing these, try out a few putting drills as well. You'd be surprised how confident you can get when you know what you are doing. Here are a few simple putting drills for you to practice.
The Circle Drill is very popular amongst golf professionals such as Phil Mickelson. To do this putting drill, you will need about five or six golf balls. There are different techniques in putting; the most important thing is to feel the stroke in your shoulders and arms. Set each ball about three or four feet from the whole, in the shape of a circle around the hole itself. Try to make ten in a row before you stop. This drill will improve your putting in two ways.
The reverse overlap grip is the most common grip. In the address it is best to line up your feet and shoulders as squarely as possible keeping your head over the ball. (Callaway FT-iz driver) The ball should be positioned between the left heel and the center of your stance with your hands also over the ball.
First, it will improve your short putting. Many amateurs seem to have trouble in this area. Instead of giving yourself five foot gimmies, why not actually make the putt instead? By doing this drill it will also improve your confidence in making numerous putts.
The Line Drill is great for those wanting to improve upon their distance putts. For this drill, you will need about four or five golf balls. Set up a "line" of putts, one behind the other. The balls should be about five feet apart. In doing so you should subsequently avoid "flipping" your hands and wrists. Keep your head, body and knees absolutely still. The only thing that moves is the arms and shoulders. So for instance, one ball would be placed five feet from the hole, the next ball would be placed 10 feet from the hole, and so on. All of the balls would be on the same line to the hole. By having the balls on the same line, you will know how much the putt will break, thus allowing you to focus on your distance control.
Are your putts never going along the line you intended them to go? It may be due to your head moving before you follow through on the putt. (Callaway X-24 Hot Irons) I can give you a good putting technique but I cannot tell you how hard to hit the ball. That comes with practice. To fix this problem try what I call the head drill. When you putt the ball simply keep your head down the entire time. Do not look up at all. The longer the stroke or the faster the stroke the harder the ball will be hit. Three important things to remember in distance is to control your tempo, follow through at least the same distance as you take the club back and always accelerate through the ball. This is a very simple drill to do that can improve your putting stroke. This is a very positive approach to putting. Try it, you may surprise yourself.
