Extraordinary Putting: The Keystone to Transforming Your Golf Game

In the intricate realm of golf, putting stands as an art form, a test of precision and finesse that can transform the entire game. While often overlooked in favor of the flashy drives and towering iron shots, putting is the cornerstone of a successful golf round, accounting for nearly 40% of all strokes. Embracing strategic techniques and practicing diligently can elevate your putting game to extraordinary heights, unlocking birdies, saving pars, and ultimately shaving strokes off your scorecard.

The Science Behind Exceptional Putting

Understanding Green Reading

Mastering green reading is the foundation of exceptional putting. By carefully observing the contours, slopes, and breaks of the putting surface, you can accurately determine the line of putt and compensate for any undulations that may affect the ball's path. This requires a keen eye, an understanding of green speeds, and the ability to visualize the ball's trajectory.

Extraordinary Putting: Transforming the Whole Game

by Fred Shoemaker

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	684 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	220 pages
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Controlling Speed and Distance

Putting is as much an art of distance control as it is of accuracy. Striking the ball with the correct speed is crucial for holing putts consistently. Factors such as club selection, the length of your backswing, and the firmness of the green all influence the distance the ball travels.

Alignment and Setup

Proper alignment and setup are essential for repeatable and accurate putting. Ensure that your feet are shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and spine straight. Align your putter face perpendicular to the intended line of putt, and position the ball in the center of your stance. Maintaining a consistent alignment throughout the stroke helps promote a smooth and controlled putting motion.

Practice Techniques for Putting Excellence

Lag Putting Drills

Lag putting, the art of striking the ball with enough speed to reach the hole but without overshooting, is essential for sinking longer putts. Practice lag putting from various distances, aiming to consistently leave yourself with a makeable putt.

Pressure Putting Drills

Recreate the pressure of game situations by practicing putting under simulated pressure. Set up drills where you have a limited number of putts to complete a hole or to reach a target score. This helps develop mental toughness and the ability to perform under the gun.

Distance Control Drills

To improve distance control, practice putting from specific distances, using different clubs and varying the length of your backswing. Develop a feel for the distance each club travels, and use this knowledge to accurately gauge the power needed for each putt.

Advanced Putting Techniques for Elite Performance

The Clock Method

For those seeking elite-level putting, the clock method is a highly effective technique for accurately gauging break on sloping greens. By visualizing a clock face on the green, with the hole as the center, you can determine the amount of break based on the distance from the center line and the direction of the slope.

The AimPoint Express Method

Another advanced putting technique is the AimPoint Express Method, a system developed by renowned putting coach Mark Sweeney. This method utilizes a specific reading process to identify the exact starting line for a putt, accounting for green contours and ball speed.

Extraordinary putting is not merely a skill but an art form that can transform your golf game. By embracing the scientific principles of putting, diligently practicing, and incorporating advanced techniques, you can unlock your full potential on the greens. Remember, putting is a journey of continuous improvement, where patience, precision, and a relentless pursuit of excellence lead to birdies, saved pars, and a game that elevates you to new heights.

Extraordinary Putting: Transforming the Whole Game

by Fred Shoemaker

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	684 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	220 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE