Half the golf shots you hit during a round are on the
greens. Learn to putt well to save shots and lower scores. Understand and practice the basics of putting.
This article from the series How to Teach Golf deals with
putting. This is the most important part of the game. Not only will a good
putting stroke enable a golfer to lower scores by holing more putts, but if a
golfer is confident on the greens it takes pressure off the long game.
The Putting Stance
- Make sure the stance is stable. The feet should be wide enough to make sure the body can stay rock solid during the stroke.
- The eyes should be directly over the ball. This enables the golfer to look directly down the line of the putt and helps with alignment.
- Let the arms hang from the shoulders so they are almost vertical. This helps the stroke naturally stay pointing at the target for the longest possible time.
- Most golfers aim the putter face either right or left at address. Aiming correctly is essential and every effort should be made to get your pupil to achieve this. To help, draw a line round the circumference of the ball. Aim the line directly where you want the putt to start, and then line up the face of the putter with the line on the ball.
The Putting Grip
There are many putting grips that a golfer can use, but an
effective grip is not just about helping the hands to stay firm during the
stroke. A good grip is one that allows the arms to hang down without
distortion.
It is absolutely essential a line across the arms points at
the hole. Most golfers who putt badly fail to appreciate how important this is.
The arm line is as important to putting as aiming the cue correctly in snooker
or pool.
