Secrets to Sinking More Putts
At Deer Creek Golf Club in Deerfield Beach Florida, our golf professionals know that many people look at their strokes when it comes to analyzing their golf game, and are looking for areas to improve. What’s more important than the stroke and often times gets overlooked in playing and teaching, are the fundamentals that come before it. If you are unable to read the greens, see the line, and become comfortable in your set up, then you may never truly master the sport of golf. Deerfield Beach golf professionals suggest holding off on critiquing your stroke and focusing on the secrets to sinking more putts.
1. Get a good read of the green.
While it is tricky to read a green, there is more to it than just judging slope speed. If you don’t have a clue, just go back to ultimate basics: Which direction would the water drain off of the green? Check for drains, lakes, and ponds around the greens, as these are good indicators where the water would go.
Once you have determined where a putt breaks, get a look from the low side, the last third of the putt is what is important since it is where the ball slows down and turns the most. This where you should take your secondary reading.
2. Get Visual of the Line.
Once you see the line, don’t let your eyes leave it. The easiest way to get the best view of your line is from your crouch. Trace an imaginary, four-inch-wide strip over where you think the putts path will be. Then, pick a spot one inch in front of the ball and keep your focus on that spot as you stroke through the ball. If the ball rolls over the spot, then you can consider your putt a success.
3. Don’t Hit the Ball, Stroke It.
Your putt stroke should be more like a paint brush stroke and not a flat out hit. If you start thinking about a hit, you are more likely to stop your stroke once you make contact with the ball. Putting strokes require follow throughs. The longer the ball stays on the face of the putter, the easier it is to get it rolling smoothly toward the target.
4. Relax. Don’t Try Too Hard.
The more you try to make the putt, the less likely it is that you will sink it. Golf is a highly subconscious spot that you perform your best when the mind is in autopilot. If you have practiced technique, have developed a solid routine, and feel good about your read then there shouldn’t be any need to try. Putt and see what happens.