Links Lessons
By George Connor, PGA
Better Distance Control Through a Balanced Stroke
Almost every golfer I work with has a concern that they
may, might or do decelerate their putter. This is as
common a thought in putting as “keep your head down”
is in the full swing. Sadly, it is just as unproductive as
well.
I can confidently say that I teach more putting lessons
than any other professional in Connecticut. In the
course of a year I may see eight or ten strokes where
the putter actually decelerates. It just doesn’t happen
very often and should not be the overriding thought in
a golfers mind.
Rolling the ball the proper distance on all putts is an integral part of great putting. The speed
at which a ball rolls will determine how much a ball breaks and how big the hole effectively
is. Not to mention that poor distance control can quickly lead to three-putt greens when you
start gunning the ball 5-feet by or leaving it 6-feet short. Rolling your putts at proper speed
will eliminate three-putts. Even more exciting, when you properly control the speed, you will
start making a lot more putts.
Over accelerating the putter is a bigger,
more common issue when it comes to
distance control. I see this most often
in a stroke ratio that is out of balance.
If your putting stroke is one that the
follow through is significantly longer
than the backswing you may well be
struggling to control the acceleration
of the stroke in your attempt to avoid
decelerating.
When you make a stroke where the
follow through represents 80% of the
stroke as pictured left, the point at
George Connor has been teaching and coaching golfers of
all abilities since 1989. He is a two-time Connecticut PGA
Teacher of the Year and his student’s include Division 1 College
Players, Professional Players, State Amateur Champions, Club
Champions as well as beginners and intermediate players.
» Click here to visit ConnorGolf.com and learn more
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Connecticut State Golf Association