The CSGA Links Volume 6 Issue 4 August 2018 | Page 36

Links Lessons
By George Connor, PGA
The secret to distance control
on the green: The eyes have it
A
s golfers we know the importance of rolling the ball the proper dis-
tance on the putting green.

Roll the ball at the proper speed and your chances of dropping
those “makable” par putts goes up.

Roll it the right distance and you can begin to eliminate three-
putts.

This is why I advise students to practice speed control whenever
they have a chance. If you want to get better, if you want to shoot lower
scores, find time—make time!—to master speed control.

Spatial awareness is a big factor when it
comes to distance control. A trait I see in play-
ers with poor distance control on the green is
lack of engagement with the target. Sure, they
look at the hole a few times while they are get-
ting ready but then their eyes will become fix-
ated on the ball, for a long time, directly be-
fore they make the stroke. The more time you
spend staring at the ball the more hazy your
perception of the target becomes.

When you take that last look at the hole
and your eyes come back to the ball, you have
a very short window of time for the stroke to
start before your perception of the target dis-
sipates.

So try this: After you have taken your last look at the target and
have returned your eyes to the ball, start the stroke immediately. You will
still have a good sense of where the target is and your distance awareness
and control will improve as a result.

If you’re like most of us, you are very good at throwing things.
36 | CSGA Links // August 2018
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