No More 3 Putts

By Jeff Ritter

With Peter McDaniel

Photos by Stephen Szurlej

April 2011

When you have a long putt across the green, ditch the stiff-wristed, shoulder-controlled stroke taught by so many experts. Historically, the best putters have added some wrist action and more hit on these long putts. That means letting your wrists give a little on the backstroke and letting your left wrist actually break down on the through-stroke. It's more natural and easier to hit it solid.

To make your second putt from three or four feet, a compact, aggressive action is better than the typical soft, careful stroke. Learn to hit it like a wrecking ball with this left-foot drill. Take your normal stance, then step forward with your left foot and set it where the ball would be. Using a short backstroke, give your foot a good pop. You'll swing the head and hit with a square face.

Often the difference between a miss and a make is the emotion behind the action. Jack Nicklaus says he never strokes a putt until he knows he can make it. When you're feeling pressure on the greens, try recalling past successes while going through your pre-putt routine. Let that calm and confidence show. You aren't being cocky; you're doing what the pros do. So have that glimmer in your eye, and you'll make more clutch putts.

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