Probably the quickest way to shave strokes off of your score is to improve your putting game. And the best way to do this is by incorporating good putting drills into your practice routine. This simple change can transform your short game. Try them and you’ll see why they are at the top of the list of golf practice drills.
* (photo: memoflores)
Every golfer has had that implosion experience on the green at one time or another where an otherwise good game goes down the toilet. Don’t worry, your not alone, its actually quite common, but there is hope. Good putting drills will transform your putting practice and go a long way to prevent melt downs.
The three keys to keep in mind while executing putting drills are as follows:
1. Maintain a square club face
2. Swing smoothly
3. Control the distance
One of the best tips on putting a golfer can give is to maintain a square club face. To master this try the following. Set a coin on the green and then the ball 6 inches behind the coin. Place a tee one foot behind the ball so that the ball is between the coin and the tee. Next, line up on the ball and draw your putter back until it taps the tee. Now, swing the club until it passes over the coin keeping the club face from twisting.
Maintaining a smooth swing throughout your putt is essential for consistency in your putting game. This tip focuses on achieving just that. Again, set a ball on the green and press a tee into the ground on foot behind the ball. Bring the putter back until it taps the tee but this time make sure that you do not pause on your backswing but immediately swing threw on the ball. Remember to move your arms as a pendulum without flexing your wrists.
Finally, and possibly the most important of the putting drills is focused on controlling your distance. During this drill you will really need to focus on the feel as your club strikes the ball. Repetition is key, as in all drills, to mastering this feel. In this drill you need to put down 5 or more tees, each 5 feet apart. Put your ball down in line with the first tee and hit to the second, and then the third, and so forth. You want to make sure that you are hitting at least to each tee. Hitting past is okay within reason just don’t let yourself hit short. Always, remember during the drill that you are focusing on distance and not accuracy. You don’t need to hit the tee just make it there or past the tee.
Learn to embrace putting drills and consistently practice putting. They are the key to aggressively improving your short game. They really do make a big difference. Try these out and others as well. Maybe even make up your own. Most of all have fun, and if it becomes work, change things up or take a break and come back to it again later.
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* Photo by memoflores
