Knowing how to improve putting can drastically reduce your score. Putting is an important aspect of your golf game. While long, straight drives and good chipping will put you in a good position, putting well over an eighteen-hole course can make a huge difference to your score. For consistent results, both pace and line are important. It is well worth spending time on practicing a few drills.
There are basically two types of putt. The lag putt is a long distance putt and at least ten feet from the hole. The aim here is to put the ball as close to the hole as possible. The short putt needs to be accurate enough to be put in the hole each time. This will save the frustration of requiring extra putts just to finish a hole. Getting the distance accurate is the most important factor for long putts. Line is more important on short putts.
Practice will enable you to better judge the weight needed to hit the ball a particular distance. Practice this skill by placing two markers in a line a short distance apart. Stand back a few yards and hit the ball so that it stops between the two marks. As you improve, move the markers closer together. Aim at hitting ten consecutive balls between the markers. Once you are able to do that, move a couple of yards further away from the markers and try again. Then move closer.
A few days of such practice can make a remarkable difference to your accuracy. The next step is to hit close to the marker from a random distance. Toss a coin or marker away from you and hit to it. Toss it randomly again and putt again. Continue with this drill for whatever time you can spare.
Next, work on improving your line. Place markers a golf ball width apart. Stand back six inches and hit between the markers without touching them. Again, practice until you can get ten balls through in a row. Move back a little and repeat the exercise.
Attempt these exercises on a level area of the green before trying them on a slope. Keep your head still. The putter will be out of alignment if you lift the head too early.
Take a few deep breaths before you start to help the muscles relax. Remember to breathe normally when you putt. Swing smoothly without stabbing at the ball or flicking the wrist. Both these actions may result in the ball bouncing instead of rolling. You will then lose accuracy.
Reading the green will only come with experience. Many putts follow a parabolic or curved line to the hole. Some greens are much faster than others. Weather conditions also play a part. Dry greens are faster than wet ones. On an uphill slope, the ball will need a firmer push than on a downhill. Watch for and remove twigs, stones or sand which may affect your putt. It is permissible to pick up the ball and clean it. Mark its position first. With these tips on how to improve putting, your game scores will start to drop.
There are basically two types of putt. The lag putt is a long distance putt and at least ten feet from the hole. The aim here is to put the ball as close to the hole as possible. The short putt needs to be accurate enough to be put in the hole each time. This will save the frustration of requiring extra putts just to finish a hole. Getting the distance accurate is the most important factor for long putts. Line is more important on short putts.
Practice will enable you to better judge the weight needed to hit the ball a particular distance. Practice this skill by placing two markers in a line a short distance apart. Stand back a few yards and hit the ball so that it stops between the two marks. As you improve, move the markers closer together. Aim at hitting ten consecutive balls between the markers. Once you are able to do that, move a couple of yards further away from the markers and try again. Then move closer.
A few days of such practice can make a remarkable difference to your accuracy. The next step is to hit close to the marker from a random distance. Toss a coin or marker away from you and hit to it. Toss it randomly again and putt again. Continue with this drill for whatever time you can spare.
Next, work on improving your line. Place markers a golf ball width apart. Stand back six inches and hit between the markers without touching them. Again, practice until you can get ten balls through in a row. Move back a little and repeat the exercise.
Attempt these exercises on a level area of the green before trying them on a slope. Keep your head still. The putter will be out of alignment if you lift the head too early.
Take a few deep breaths before you start to help the muscles relax. Remember to breathe normally when you putt. Swing smoothly without stabbing at the ball or flicking the wrist. Both these actions may result in the ball bouncing instead of rolling. You will then lose accuracy.
Reading the green will only come with experience. Many putts follow a parabolic or curved line to the hole. Some greens are much faster than others. Weather conditions also play a part. Dry greens are faster than wet ones. On an uphill slope, the ball will need a firmer push than on a downhill. Watch for and remove twigs, stones or sand which may affect your putt. It is permissible to pick up the ball and clean it. Mark its position first. With these tips on how to improve putting, your game scores will start to drop.
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