PGCC Golf Tips
GET ON A ROLL
TO IMPROVE YOUR PUTTING
Working on your putting isnʼt the most
exciting way to spend an afternoon, but we all
know itʼs worth the effort. You can be playing amazing
from tee to green, but if you arenʼt converting makeable
putts, you will struggle with your confidence. When you
do start to make some putts your confidence will soar
and help take pressure off the rest of your game.
Each part of the game feeds off the others, but putting
carries a lot of weight. No matter what youʼre working
on with your stroke, you can roll it better if you build
some consistency into your approach.
After you pick a line, donʼt give yourself the chance
to second-guess it when youʼre standing over the ball.
I match up the line on my ball with the start line of my
putt, then set up with the putter face perpendicular to
that line. I set my grip and get my stance square to the
line on the ball, not to the hole. If you take that last look
and donʼt see your line clearly or donʼt feel good about
the stroke youʼre about to make, itʼs OK to back off and
start over, just try not to make that a habit. Keep your
routine brisk—and make a few putts—and you can be
my partner anytime.
Once I know I have the putter face aligned precisely,
I make sure Iʼm relaxed and comfortable in my
posture. Nothing should feel rigid, tight or flexed.
When I practice, I use a mirror to make sure my eyes
are positioned inside the ball too. If you set your eyes
directly over the ball, like a lot of players do, it can throw
off your perspective.
Once my body is set, I donʼt waste any time. Iʼll take
one more look at the target and then start my stroke,
straight back and straight through. To help control
distance with any shot in golf you must create an equal
distance length stroke on both sides of the ball. This helps
to eliminate deceleration and actually the acceleration of
the club thru impact can create the proper center faced
contact and spin to help make it easier control distances
better. Lastly, make sure that your hands are moving back
and thru together. Move the hands, Not the club head!
Practice these tips and I guarantee you will become a
better putter. See you on the greens!
– Joe DeFilipps, PGA
4
June 2016
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