How to Master the Putt
November 6th 2006 08:59
How to Master the putt - The toughest shot for everybody including Pros
By Mark Grove
As told to by Mark Harman - United States Golf Teachers Federation
Course instructor and Golf pro
Putting, that’s the most difficult shot there is to control in golf besides your
drives off the tee. It can make or break your game. For the most part it is
always the determining factor in whether a pro makes 500 thousand or a
cool million in a major.
This Golf writer asks Mark Harman, expert on the fundamentals of the game
and a golf pro himself, why are putts so difficult? Because they drive the top
pros crazy. Learning how to control your putts is always part and parcel for
money shots, whether you’re playing for the company trophy or the Masters.
So, if you can par-take some wisdom from Mr. Harman and his expertise,use
it to improve your putting technique and keep on practicing those nasty putts
from hell.
MG: Why are putts such a difficult shot to control?
MH: Putting requires a very delicate touch, touch that can be gained only through thousands upon thousands of practice putts. Even then green speeds vary greatly from golf course to golf course, which adds even more difficulty to putting.
MG: What is a good stroke technique to control your putts?
MH: It is very important to keep the same tempo for all putts, regardless of length. The only thing that changes is the length of the backswing and forward swing - the longer the putt, the longer the stroke. Some players and teachers like to use a metronome to dial in their tempo. Whatever the length putt, the tempo remains the same.
MG: Is your putting technique more important than knowing
the green you're putting on?
MH: I would say no. I've seen some very good putters use what many would call lousy technique.The most important aspect of putting is distance control, and that comes from knowing the green speeds.When it comes to the amount of break, if the golfer can read the line correctly, along with the speed, the golfer's subconscious usually finds a way to make a good putt, regardless of technique.
MG: Are there any pros in your estimation that are exemplary
Putters,that amatuers or other pros should learn from and
include some of their putting technique in their stroke?
MH: Tiger Woods gets a lot of credit. But for purity of stroke I would say Loren Roberts of the Champions Tour is the best. He is just so smooth, and his tempo never varies. He actually --- breaks his wrists very slightly on the backswing, but not on the forward swing.This is important because most amateurs use their wrists on their ----forward swings -- which leads to inconsistency.
Mark Grove
By Mark Grove
As told to by Mark Harman - United States Golf Teachers Federation
Course instructor and Golf pro
Putting, that’s the most difficult shot there is to control in golf besides your
drives off the tee. It can make or break your game. For the most part it is
always the determining factor in whether a pro makes 500 thousand or a
cool million in a major.
This Golf writer asks Mark Harman, expert on the fundamentals of the game
pros crazy. Learning how to control your putts is always part and parcel for
money shots, whether you’re playing for the company trophy or the Masters.
So, if you can par-take some wisdom from Mr. Harman and his expertise,use
it to improve your putting technique and keep on practicing those nasty putts
from hell.
MG: Why are putts such a difficult shot to control?
MH: Putting requires a very delicate touch, touch that can be gained only through thousands upon thousands of practice putts. Even then green speeds vary greatly from golf course to golf course, which adds even more difficulty to putting.
MG: What is a good stroke technique to control your putts?
MH: It is very important to keep the same tempo for all putts, regardless of length. The only thing that changes is the length of the backswing and forward swing - the longer the putt, the longer the stroke. Some players and teachers like to use a metronome to dial in their tempo. Whatever the length putt, the tempo remains the same.
MG: Is your putting technique more important than knowing
MH: I would say no. I've seen some very good putters use what many would call lousy technique.The most important aspect of putting is distance control, and that comes from knowing the green speeds.When it comes to the amount of break, if the golfer can read the line correctly, along with the speed, the golfer's subconscious usually finds a way to make a good putt, regardless of technique.
MG: Are there any pros in your estimation that are exemplary
Putters,that amatuers or other pros should learn from and
include some of their putting technique in their stroke?
MH: Tiger Woods gets a lot of credit. But for purity of stroke I would say Loren Roberts of the Champions Tour is the best. He is just so smooth, and his tempo never varies. He actually --- breaks his wrists very slightly on the backswing, but not on the forward swing.This is important because most amateurs use their wrists on their ----forward swings -- which leads to inconsistency.
Mark Grove
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