Sink short putts with ease
The range between you and the hole is only 3 feet, so why does it appear to be so stressful to sink short putts? Well, generally there are plenty of good reasons why you feel like this. Anxiousness to make this putt is one explanation; additionally, you do recognize if you miss this putt you will look silly (and even be annoyed at yourself).
Well actually you should not feel either of these feelings, you only have to know that the best manner in making this putt is to treat it like all the other putts.
Of course, what really makes these putts difficult is usually the scenario.
I mean if you are aiming to win a golf tournament or simply just intending to do better than your friends on a friendly game, these short putts can come along with a ton of stress and anxiety especially when they are on their 18th hole.
The technique you will use to make these putts will make it a lot trickier.
Make putting easier by following the simple techniques in the Truth About Putting.
It's easy to use and great for high handicap golfers who only play once a week or even a month.
PROPER MINDSET
The very first thing you should realize is that you have to focus on the technique and routine, not the final result. Do not think like this “If I can simply make this short putt I will win this tournament”.
Truth be told, there have been many pros in golf tournaments who lost on the final green by losing out on short putts.
I need you to focus on making the putt first, then you can think about the result and outcome.
VISUALIZATION
You need to assume this putt is similar to any other type of putt of a longer distance. The very first thing you should do is evaluate the line and pace of the putt. You cannot hope that the putt will be a straight one. In reality, rarely is any putt completely straight. In order for you to be able to decide on the correct path, you'll need to roll the ball with excellent speed.
So, have a look at the course to see if it is downhill or uphill. Are the greens slow or fast?
On fast greens, you'll have to roll the golf ball slower. So, play extra break to make this possible.
If the green is slow you will be ready to play the putt straighter, simply because you will be rolling the ball a lot faster.
But each putt and green is different so you will need to establish a decision, to begin with.
KEEPING IT STEADY
After that, you need to keep the very same routine that you would make use of for all putts. This must consist of having a number of practice strokes to have a great feel for the putt you are about to attempt.
Looking at the hole quite a few times as you do provides you an excellent understanding and feel of exactly where the hole truly is.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW THAT DEMONSTRATES A PUTTING DRILL TO HELP YOU MAKE MORE PUTTS:
LINE EXERCISE AND IMPLEMENTATION
I would suggest you have a direct line drawn on your golf ball to guide you to target successfully. This will mean putting the ball on the ground with this line geared in the direction of where you would like the ball to start. You will need to let for the break (suppose there is some) don’t just aim at the centre of the hole.
Set up your putter down and target the clubface squarely by using the line on the ball.
Right now you simply need to focus on rolling the ball at the ideal place.
Next, get in position and keep your eyes directly over the ball, shoulders must be parallel to the target line, a ball placed just ahead of the centre (under left eye works effectively), feet positioned about shoulder-width and parallel to the target line.
MAKING IT RIGHT
The putting stroke is done with the big muscles in your upper body, shoulders, and chest rock back and forward. Not a lot of wrist activity or else you'll be very inconsistent.
I would suggest you make the backswing and follow-through of similar length, this is the best way to sink short putts and handle the speed well.
KEEP YOUR HEAD STILL
Last but not the least, remember to continue keeping your head very still! Quite a lot of short putts are missed with an early motion of the head which has an effect on the clubface and the golf ball misses either right or left. This only applies to putting and not a full swing but maintaining your head still is very significant in order to develop into a very good putter.
In fact, I would like you to always keep your head down and eyes looking at the ground until 3 seconds right after you hit it.
Hit the putt and then count to 3 before looking up.
On short putts, the golf ball will already be in the hole before you get to 3.
Tiger Woods is very good at this.
He keeps his head and eyes very still and normally never notices the ball go in the hole from short range but of course, the sound of the golf ball tells him when it gets to the bottom of the hole.
Summary
Hold on to your routine, don’t focus too much on the outcome, and simply execute a very good putt together with a great strategy.
You will be able to sink short putts more easily, but don't take them for granted.
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