GOLF SCHOOL
GOLF SCHOOL
KEVIN’S RX
Joe struggles with streaky, erratic putting. When I asked him if he had more problems with direction, distance control or green reading, his answer was “all of the above.” So I’ve put together three practice drills to help him address those specifics. I have asked him to do his putting exercises one to two times per week, and I’ve also encouraged Joe to be very conscious and deliberate about his green reading and target focus while out playing by doing an abbreviated version of the direction and green reading drill each time—so he starts to establish a routine. Finally, I’ve asked him to keep track of his putts (sometimes the simple act of writing something down helps you pay attention and keeps you in the moment) and to shoot for a goal of 32 putts or less per 18 holes.
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DIRECTION
This drill is designed to improve alignment, path, clubface angle at impact and face contact—all of which are important in direction. Find a straight two- to- three-foot putt; place two rods on the ground close to the hole. Align your body parallel to the rods and the clubface perpendicular. Move the putter back and forth between the rods, using a pendulumlike motion. Start with no ball and go through the motion about 10 times, then add the ball. This drill can be done indoors or outdoors and will go a long way to improving the putting mechanics that are involved in directional control. (5–10 minutes per session)
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DISTANCE CONTROL
Distance control in putting is a function of what most people know as “hand-eye coordination.” To work on this, find a hole on a flat area of the putting green and set up stations 20, 40, 60 and 80 feet from the hole. Place two to three golf balls at each distance and practice putting to the hole from the different stations, focusing mostly on the target and making the ball travel the correct distance. (10–15 minutes)
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GREEN READING
Pick a putt 20 to 40 feet from the hole. Look at it from three different angles: (1) behind the ball facing the target, (2) the low side (the side opposite the break) of the putt at roughly the midpoint and far enough back from the target line so you can see the entire putt in your peripheral vision, (3) behind the hole facing the target. Once you’ve seen the putt from all three angles, pick your preferred target line and hit the putt. (10–15 minutes) Cones can be used to help read even the toughest of breaks.
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IN PLAY, SPRING 2013
SPRING 2013, IN PLAY
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