So the weather across most of the country is finally starting to act like spring, golf course superintendents are beginning to mow their greens down to mid-season levels, and golfers are starting to turn up at the first tee, ready to put their games on display. At my own club, New Seabury on Cape Cod, this weekend's tee sheet is jammed full, and our Saturday morning group has more players than ever.
But what if you're one of those golfers coming out for the first time this year, and you feel like, as Dan Jenkins once said, the golf club feels like a parking meter in your hands? That's where this column will help you. Here are three tips, from some of the game's top feel players and teachers, to get your touch back fast. The last thing you want to do is three-putt all day, or take extra shots from just off the green, or snap-hook your tee shots.
1. Feeling your hands. When you haven't played in a while, your hands feel weak. So it's only natural to grip the club tighter to compensate. Resist that and do the opposite. As Davis Love Jr. and Bob Toski wrote in How to Feel A Real Golf Swing, with Bob Carney, "Your hands generate clubhead speed. They control the face. They shape the path of your swing. But nothing can sabotage a good grip or good swing quicker than excessive or inconsistent grip pressure. Tension is the enemy of the swing, and it emanates from the grip. Pick up a pencil and write your name. How tightly did you hold the pencil? Just tightly enough to accomplish the task at hand. Which is how you hold your steering wheel, how you hold a book, how you hold your sweetheart's hand. For most golfers, holding a golf club only as tightly as enables the club to swing will seem much lighter than normal." So remember to hold the club lightly, and you'll regain your feel in no time.
2. Feeling the putter. Gain control by giving up control. Sport psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella once told Paul Azinger that he could see tension and artificiality in his stroke. In his book, Putting Out of Your Mind, Rotella recounts how he told Azinger to putt like he hit bunker shots. "I just look at where I want it to go," Azinger said, "splash the sand, and it goes there." Rotella told Paul he had to become relaxed, even nonchalant, at the moment of truth in putting as well. Try it and your stroke will free up and become more natural. You'll regain your stroke very quickly.
3. Feeling your feet. When you've had a long layoff, usually your feet and legs are a little slow; you've lost some agility. Get that footwork back by trying this piece of advice, from Tommy Armour's book How to Play Your Best Golf All the Time. "In simplifying footwork, I'll give you one little tip that probably will greatly improve the hitting portion of your swing. Have the right knee come in fast at the right time. The knee action in a good golf swing is practically identical with knee action in throwing a baseball."
So give these thoughts a try and good luck with your game this weekend. I'll be pulling for you (unless I'm playing against you).
Roger Schiffman
Managing Editor
Golf Digest
Twitter @RogerSchiffman
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How He Made That: Ben Curtis' putts that mattered
Editor's Note: Every Monday Kevin Hinton, Director of Instruction at Piping Rock Club in Locust Valley, N.Y. and one of Golf Digest's Best Young Teachers, tells you how a tour player hits a key shot. This week, Kevin looks at the two long putts Ben Curtis made to win the Valero Texas Open on Sunday, and gives you some tips to improve your long-putting.
Roger Schiffman
Managing Editor
Golf Digest
Twitter: @RogerSchiffman
By Kevin Hinton
Ben Curtis' ability to make some important long putts down the stretch at the Texas Open was key to his victory yesterday. Curtis made a 25-footer on the 17th hole to save par, as well as 12-footer for birdie on the 18th hole to win by two strokes. Ben is currently ranked second on the PGA Tour in the statistical category of Strokes Gained, and he is yet to three-putt in a tour event this year. Here are three ideas that will help you make a few more long putts.
1. Practice your four-footersIf you want to make more long putts, get better at your short putts! One reason the average golfer makes so few longer putts is they are putting scared and often come up short. We've all heard the saying that "100 percent of putts left short don't go in," but it still rings true. (Hubert Green infamously said "97 percent...") But you'll never make it if the ball doesn't get to the hole. It's the fear of the come-back putt that can make us come up short on the first putt. If you spend a lot of time practicing your three- to five-footers, you'll feel much more confident in actually giving that first putt a chance to go in. The other advantage of hitting your first putt with enough pace is that if it doesn't go in, you'll see the break for your next putt. Knowing the break will definitely decrease your number of three-putts.
2. Make center contact
To make a putt of any significant length, you need to do a combination of things correctly. You must have the correct read, start the ball on your intended line, and hit the ball with the correct speed. If you don't do all of these things, consistently making a decent number of long putts is essentially impossible. None of this works without making center contact on the putterface at impact. Off-center hits cause the face to open or close, as well as affect the distance the ball travels. You can make a stroke of the perfect size and pace for a 20-footer, but the ball will only go 20 feet if you make center contact. A simple drill would be to use two tees to form a gate that is only slightly bigger than the head of your putter. Then hit putts from within the gate, being sure to miss the tees. Typically, the most common cause of off-center hits is excessive movement of your legs or head. The stiller you can stay in putting the better.
3. Read the green smartly
Becoming a proficient green reader is definitely an acquired skill that takes time and experience. However, here are a few ideas that can help. When you walk onto a green, simply
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How He Made That: Tiger squares his shoulders and sinks more putts
Editor's Note: Every Monday Kevin Hinton, Director of
Instruction at Piping Rock Club in Locust Valley, N.Y. and one of Golf
Digest's Best Young Teachers, tells you how a tour player hits a key
shot. This week Kevin notes that Tiger Woods made six important putts of four feet and longer in the final round on his way to winning his seventh Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. Hinton examines the putting setup changes Woods made last week with his teacher Sean Foley, and explains the importance of starting with your shoulders aligned correctly.
Roger Schiffman
Managing Editor
Golf Digest
Twitter @RogerSchiffman
Here's Kevin: Tiger can thank his improved putting as a key to his win at Bay Hill, and potentially a springboard to more victories in 2012. In the final round alone, he made putts of 14 feet on No. 4, four feet on 8, seven feet on 11, eight feet on 14, 12 feet on 15 and four feet, seven inches on 17. As simple as Sean's tweak to Tiger's setup was, having your shoulder's square at address can be quite important. If we watch golf on TV for one afternoon, it isn't difficult to see how many different putting styles can get the job done. (Take a look here at the winning putting styles of 2011.) Most good putters on tour try to set up with their shoulders square at address. Here are few thoughts on putting alignment:
Everything square isn't a must
There are many great putters who set up up with their feet open at address. Brad Faxon is a prime example. There are fewer players who set up closed to their target line (pointed to the right for a right-handed golfer). South African Bobby Locke is the first player most instructors think of. Locke would aim to the right, and pull-hook his putts back on line. While it certainly worked for Locke, being closed at address is typically a tougher way to putt. Check the video below from 2010. While Tiger practices his one-handed drill with the putterhead between two tees, note his shoulders seem slightly open at address. Also, the putts he misses miss to the left. Also note that, until this past week, he hasn't putted consistently well since he won the BMW in 2009.
Shoulders trump feet
The shoulders have a far greater effect on your putting stroke than your feet do. Even on Tiger's drill in the video, some of the putts he hits are with his feet aligned well left. Shoulder alignment, however, affects the forearms, and forearm alignment greatly influences the path your putter will take. Open shoulders will lead to more of a "slice" stroke, while closed shoulders typically cause the putter to track too far to the inside in the backstroke, leading to pushes and a "hook" stroke. For a quick check-up, simply set up to a ball in front of a mirror, as if you're putting directly toward the mirror. Without changing your posture, swivel your head toward the mirror to check your shoulder alignment. If your shoulders are square and your forearms aligned, you'll only see one arm (your lead arm).
Use your full swing as a clue to fix your putting
There are few absolutes in golf, but I often see the same patterns throughout a player's game. If you tend to set up open at address to your driver, slice your fairway woods and take the club too far to the outside on your pitch shots, it's unlikely you'd have a "hook" putting stroke. In watching Tiger's pre-shot routine on full swings, he makes many rehearsals that exaggerate a cut. He and Foley have worked hard on avoiding hooking the ball, and the outside-in practice swings Tiger makes are evidence of that. Maybe all the "anti-left" practice Tiger has been doing crept it's way into his putting setup. But it sure seems that Foley has Tiger "squared" up for now.
Roger Schiffman
Managing Editor
Golf Digest
Twitter @RogerSchiffman
Here's Kevin: Tiger can thank his improved putting as a key to his win at Bay Hill, and potentially a springboard to more victories in 2012. In the final round alone, he made putts of 14 feet on No. 4, four feet on 8, seven feet on 11, eight feet on 14, 12 feet on 15 and four feet, seven inches on 17. As simple as Sean's tweak to Tiger's setup was, having your shoulder's square at address can be quite important. If we watch golf on TV for one afternoon, it isn't difficult to see how many different putting styles can get the job done. (Take a look here at the winning putting styles of 2011.) Most good putters on tour try to set up with their shoulders square at address. Here are few thoughts on putting alignment:
Everything square isn't a must
There are many great putters who set up up with their feet open at address. Brad Faxon is a prime example. There are fewer players who set up closed to their target line (pointed to the right for a right-handed golfer). South African Bobby Locke is the first player most instructors think of. Locke would aim to the right, and pull-hook his putts back on line. While it certainly worked for Locke, being closed at address is typically a tougher way to putt. Check the video below from 2010. While Tiger practices his one-handed drill with the putterhead between two tees, note his shoulders seem slightly open at address. Also, the putts he misses miss to the left. Also note that, until this past week, he hasn't putted consistently well since he won the BMW in 2009.
Shoulders trump feet
The shoulders have a far greater effect on your putting stroke than your feet do. Even on Tiger's drill in the video, some of the putts he hits are with his feet aligned well left. Shoulder alignment, however, affects the forearms, and forearm alignment greatly influences the path your putter will take. Open shoulders will lead to more of a "slice" stroke, while closed shoulders typically cause the putter to track too far to the inside in the backstroke, leading to pushes and a "hook" stroke. For a quick check-up, simply set up to a ball in front of a mirror, as if you're putting directly toward the mirror. Without changing your posture, swivel your head toward the mirror to check your shoulder alignment. If your shoulders are square and your forearms aligned, you'll only see one arm (your lead arm).
Use your full swing as a clue to fix your putting
There are few absolutes in golf, but I often see the same patterns throughout a player's game. If you tend to set up open at address to your driver, slice your fairway woods and take the club too far to the outside on your pitch shots, it's unlikely you'd have a "hook" putting stroke. In watching Tiger's pre-shot routine on full swings, he makes many rehearsals that exaggerate a cut. He and Foley have worked hard on avoiding hooking the ball, and the outside-in practice swings Tiger makes are evidence of that. Maybe all the "anti-left" practice Tiger has been doing crept it's way into his putting setup. But it sure seems that Foley has Tiger "squared" up for now.
How He Hit That: Phil's monster putts
Editor's Note: Every Monday Kevin Hinton, Director of
Instruction at Piping Rock Club in Locust Valley, N.Y. and one of Golf
Digest's Best Young Teachers, tells you how a tour player hits a great
shot. This week, Hinton examines the monster par putts--and general putting brilliance--of Phil Mickelson at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, which he won in impressive fashion, taming a frustrated Tiger in the process. Hinton tells how you can improve your putting as well.
Roger Schiffman
Managing Editor
Golf Digest
Twitter @RogerSchiffman
Here's Kevin: The story on Sunday at Pebble Beach was all about putting. Phil Mickelson had 10 one-putts enroute to a bogey-free final-round 64, claiming a two-shot victory over Charlie Wi and his fourth title at Pebble. This is the fifth-straight time Mickelson has bested Woods when they were paired together in the final round, beating Tiger by 11 shots on Sunday after starting two strokes behind him. Tiger missed five putts inside five feet on Sunday. Mickelson made two clutch back-nine par saves of more than 30 feet, as well as capitalizing for six birdies and an eagle after a round of stellar iron play. The putter also did-in third round leader Charlie Wi, who four-putted the first hole and missed a three-footer for par on the 14th. Let's take a closer look at the video of Mickelson's masterful stroke.
Mickelson has always been known as a short-game wizard, but his putting hasn't always been reliable under pressure. Last year on tour, Phil finished a woeful 134th in the statistical putting category of strokes gained. This stat is considered the most accurate measurement of a player's putting abilities. Phil also three-putted at an alarming rate for a player of his ability, finishing 147th in the stat of three-putt avoidance. So what has changed? Not necessarily a ton, but it often doesn't take much to turn things around on the greens. Small technique changes...better mental focus and belief in yourself. No doubt he wanted to beat Tiger Sunday on a huge stage and even said Tiger now brings out the best in his game.
The big news of 2011 for Phil was his experimentation with the belly putter. It didn't stay in his bag for long. There are many players, however, who practice with one, but never use it in competition. It's a great practice tool and I highly recommend getting one, even if it never makes it's way onto the golf course. The belly putter teaches a player the proper pendulum motion, ensuring a slight arcing stroke and an unrestricted release of the putterhead through impact.
Phil also visited putting guru Dave Stockton, who wants you to keep the back of the lead hand moving toward the target (see Mickelson video above). Stockton's main philosophy, however, focuses on routine and encouraging a very non-technical approach. Phil worked with the belly putter because it made
Read more
Roger Schiffman
Managing Editor
Golf Digest
Twitter @RogerSchiffman
Here's Kevin: The story on Sunday at Pebble Beach was all about putting. Phil Mickelson had 10 one-putts enroute to a bogey-free final-round 64, claiming a two-shot victory over Charlie Wi and his fourth title at Pebble. This is the fifth-straight time Mickelson has bested Woods when they were paired together in the final round, beating Tiger by 11 shots on Sunday after starting two strokes behind him. Tiger missed five putts inside five feet on Sunday. Mickelson made two clutch back-nine par saves of more than 30 feet, as well as capitalizing for six birdies and an eagle after a round of stellar iron play. The putter also did-in third round leader Charlie Wi, who four-putted the first hole and missed a three-footer for par on the 14th. Let's take a closer look at the video of Mickelson's masterful stroke.
Mickelson has always been known as a short-game wizard, but his putting hasn't always been reliable under pressure. Last year on tour, Phil finished a woeful 134th in the statistical putting category of strokes gained. This stat is considered the most accurate measurement of a player's putting abilities. Phil also three-putted at an alarming rate for a player of his ability, finishing 147th in the stat of three-putt avoidance. So what has changed? Not necessarily a ton, but it often doesn't take much to turn things around on the greens. Small technique changes...better mental focus and belief in yourself. No doubt he wanted to beat Tiger Sunday on a huge stage and even said Tiger now brings out the best in his game.
The big news of 2011 for Phil was his experimentation with the belly putter. It didn't stay in his bag for long. There are many players, however, who practice with one, but never use it in competition. It's a great practice tool and I highly recommend getting one, even if it never makes it's way onto the golf course. The belly putter teaches a player the proper pendulum motion, ensuring a slight arcing stroke and an unrestricted release of the putterhead through impact.
Phil also visited putting guru Dave Stockton, who wants you to keep the back of the lead hand moving toward the target (see Mickelson video above). Stockton's main philosophy, however, focuses on routine and encouraging a very non-technical approach. Phil worked with the belly putter because it made
Read more
Weekend Tip: How to putt on bad greens
Many of you are probably still recovering from overindulging at the dinner table the past couple of days. And if you're as tired of watching football as I am, you're probably itching to work off some of those calories by getting out on the course for a quick nine or even a full round. Just one problem: The greens this time of year in the North are probably slow and bumpy. If you've headed south for some warmer weather, you'll likely face Bermuda greens that have been overseeded with Rye grass--again slower and with some grain. Here are some tips to help you make more putts, gleaned from the pages of Golf Digest:
--Remember, it's the green, not you. When you miss a putt or two that you normally would make, don't start questioning your stroke or your alignment or your green-reading skills. That only putts doubt in your mind. Tell yourself it's the condition of the greens and that everyone has the same problem. And then follow the advice below:
-- Play less break, and hit the putt firmer. Slower, bumpy greens simply don't break as much because the ball is rolling faster through most of the putt. Putts that roll slower (like on faster greens) will break more because gravity can have more effect.
-- Concentrate on hitting the putt solid. Tom Watson has often described an image that really works for him. He says to think of a tack in the back of the ball, and he uses the putter to "tap the tack into the ball" at impact. That image ensures you'll hit the ball solidly with the sweet spot of the putter to get the ball rolling smoothly and on line. A putt hit off-center will not hold it's line as well on a fast, smooth green, and it certainly has no chance on a slower, bumpy green.
-- Leave yourself uphill putts. When the greens are bumpy or grainy, uphill putts are better than downhillers because you can hit the putt firmly, thereby reducing the effect of the green's blemishes or grain. So try to get your chips or first putts to finish below the hole. Those short putts will be a lot easier to handle.
--Hit short putts to the back of the cup. Paul Runyan used to practice three- and four-footers for hours, trying to get the ball to hit the back of the cup. One the practice green he would put a tee in the back of the cup and make the ball hit the tee. On the course, pretend there's a tee in the back of the cup. It's an effective strategy on bumpy or grainy greens.
Hope these tips help your game this weekend. We'll see you on Monday.
Roger Schiffman
Managing Editor
Golf Digest
Twitter @RogerSchiffman
--Remember, it's the green, not you. When you miss a putt or two that you normally would make, don't start questioning your stroke or your alignment or your green-reading skills. That only putts doubt in your mind. Tell yourself it's the condition of the greens and that everyone has the same problem. And then follow the advice below:
-- Play less break, and hit the putt firmer. Slower, bumpy greens simply don't break as much because the ball is rolling faster through most of the putt. Putts that roll slower (like on faster greens) will break more because gravity can have more effect.
-- Concentrate on hitting the putt solid. Tom Watson has often described an image that really works for him. He says to think of a tack in the back of the ball, and he uses the putter to "tap the tack into the ball" at impact. That image ensures you'll hit the ball solidly with the sweet spot of the putter to get the ball rolling smoothly and on line. A putt hit off-center will not hold it's line as well on a fast, smooth green, and it certainly has no chance on a slower, bumpy green.
-- Leave yourself uphill putts. When the greens are bumpy or grainy, uphill putts are better than downhillers because you can hit the putt firmly, thereby reducing the effect of the green's blemishes or grain. So try to get your chips or first putts to finish below the hole. Those short putts will be a lot easier to handle.
--Hit short putts to the back of the cup. Paul Runyan used to practice three- and four-footers for hours, trying to get the ball to hit the back of the cup. One the practice green he would put a tee in the back of the cup and make the ball hit the tee. On the course, pretend there's a tee in the back of the cup. It's an effective strategy on bumpy or grainy greens.
Hope these tips help your game this weekend. We'll see you on Monday.
Roger Schiffman
Managing Editor
Golf Digest
Twitter @RogerSchiffman
Weekend Tip: Putting Presidential
In watching the Presidents Cup competition the last couple of days, it's hard not to notice the many putting styles players from both sides are using. From Retief Goosen to Ernie Els to Bill Haas to Webb Simpson to Matt Kuchar to Phil Mickelson, it seems like everyone's going to the belly. Then there's K.J. Choi with his ultra-thick grip. And Adam Scott with his long putter anchored in his chest. And Jim Furyk with his left hand low. About the only player putting conventionally is Tiger Woods, and his performance on the greens hasn't matched his ball-striking.
Teaching professional Kevin Hinton analyzed the putting strokes of various tour winners from 2011 this week. Click on this link to access his article. I think there is sure to be some good putting advice for you if you're struggling on the greens.
Good luck with your game this weekend, and we'll see you Monday on the Instruction Blog.
Roger Schiffman
Managing Editor
Golf Digest
Twitter @RogerSchiffman
Teaching professional Kevin Hinton analyzed the putting strokes of various tour winners from 2011 this week. Click on this link to access his article. I think there is sure to be some good putting advice for you if you're struggling on the greens.
Good luck with your game this weekend, and we'll see you Monday on the Instruction Blog.
Roger Schiffman
Managing Editor
Golf Digest
Twitter @RogerSchiffman
Monday Swing Analysis: Sergio's putting fix
So much has been made of Sergio Garcia's battles with the putter over the last several years. His frustrations nearly drove him from the game. But he has had quite a resurgence of late, winning the last two events on the European Tour, including a one-stroke victory over fellow countryman Miguel Angel Jimenez in the Andalucia Masters at Valderrama over the weekend.
Note Sergio's putting-grip progression, from conventional to left-hand low to the claw. (Photos by Getty Images)
Sergio's comeback seems to have started with a tip he got from putting guru Dave Stockton, who recounted the story while visiting with a group of Golf Digest editors in our Wilton, Conn., office on Friday. Here's a short report from Assistant Managing Editor Jeff Patterson:
Stockton said that when he's asked to take a look at someone's putting stroke, he also likes to see their chipping motion. Naturally, Sergio Garcia was brought up. Senior Instruction Editor Peter Morrice asked Stockton why Sergio seems to have so much creativity around the greens, but little success on them. After saying Sergio looked all right in his 11-shot victory the weekend before at the Castello Masters, Stockton related an interesting anecdote:
Stockton was on the putting green at Firestone Country Club during a practice round for the 2010 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. While Dave worked with one of his tour pros, Sergio was within earshot. The message Stockton was trying to
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Note Sergio's putting-grip progression, from conventional to left-hand low to the claw. (Photos by Getty Images)
Sergio's comeback seems to have started with a tip he got from putting guru Dave Stockton, who recounted the story while visiting with a group of Golf Digest editors in our Wilton, Conn., office on Friday. Here's a short report from Assistant Managing Editor Jeff Patterson:
Stockton said that when he's asked to take a look at someone's putting stroke, he also likes to see their chipping motion. Naturally, Sergio Garcia was brought up. Senior Instruction Editor Peter Morrice asked Stockton why Sergio seems to have so much creativity around the greens, but little success on them. After saying Sergio looked all right in his 11-shot victory the weekend before at the Castello Masters, Stockton related an interesting anecdote:
Stockton was on the putting green at Firestone Country Club during a practice round for the 2010 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. While Dave worked with one of his tour pros, Sergio was within earshot. The message Stockton was trying to
Read more
Sunday Evening Tip: Adam Scott's secret for short putts
This post was originally yesterday's Saturday Morning Tip. I've updated it after watching Adam Scott give a virtual putting and ball-striking clinic on Sunday./RS
If you're at all shaky on the short putts, take a tip from Adam Scott, who shot a first-round 62 at this week's WGC Bridgestone Invitational, holing putt after putt from inside 10 feet, then went on to win by four shots at 17 under par. The insight he shed in Golf Digest's July issue can help--if you're ready to try the long putter. Here's what Adam said, noting that he anchors the butt of the putter grip into his sternum with his left hand:
"The way I do it is not complicated, and it's based more on my natural feel than any instruction. I don't take a practice stroke, so I step up with my right hand only on the club and eye-up the line. Then I take my stance and place my left hand at the top, checking the line again. Finally, I reposition my right hand--forefinger down the shaft--and go. My putting is finally measuring up to the rest of my game."
Now, if you are not yet ready to try the long putter, or if you feel it just "doesn't look like golf," here are some things you might try to be smoother on the short ones under pressure:
--Putt with your eyes closed. Johnny Miller says he won tournaments doing this. Line up the putt with your normal routine, but before taking the putter back, simply close your eyes. The key here is to think of the distance of the putt as you let the putter swing back and through. Keep your eyes closed until well after impact, or until you hear the ball drop in the cup. Try this on the practice green first. You might be amazed how well it works because you can simply make a stroke without anticipating impact with the ball.
--Putt one-handed. It really doesn't matter which hand you use. Tiger practices with just his right hand on the putter; Dave Stockton advocates practicing with only the left. Using just one hand allows the putter to swing as a result of its own weight. It's incredible how well the putter works on its own if you don't interfere with it.
--Sidesaddle. Popularized by Sam Snead and now by Gary McCord, standing to one side of
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If you're at all shaky on the short putts, take a tip from Adam Scott, who shot a first-round 62 at this week's WGC Bridgestone Invitational, holing putt after putt from inside 10 feet, then went on to win by four shots at 17 under par. The insight he shed in Golf Digest's July issue can help--if you're ready to try the long putter. Here's what Adam said, noting that he anchors the butt of the putter grip into his sternum with his left hand:
"The way I do it is not complicated, and it's based more on my natural feel than any instruction. I don't take a practice stroke, so I step up with my right hand only on the club and eye-up the line. Then I take my stance and place my left hand at the top, checking the line again. Finally, I reposition my right hand--forefinger down the shaft--and go. My putting is finally measuring up to the rest of my game."
Now, if you are not yet ready to try the long putter, or if you feel it just "doesn't look like golf," here are some things you might try to be smoother on the short ones under pressure:
--Putt with your eyes closed. Johnny Miller says he won tournaments doing this. Line up the putt with your normal routine, but before taking the putter back, simply close your eyes. The key here is to think of the distance of the putt as you let the putter swing back and through. Keep your eyes closed until well after impact, or until you hear the ball drop in the cup. Try this on the practice green first. You might be amazed how well it works because you can simply make a stroke without anticipating impact with the ball.
--Putt one-handed. It really doesn't matter which hand you use. Tiger practices with just his right hand on the putter; Dave Stockton advocates practicing with only the left. Using just one hand allows the putter to swing as a result of its own weight. It's incredible how well the putter works on its own if you don't interfere with it.
--Sidesaddle. Popularized by Sam Snead and now by Gary McCord, standing to one side of
Saturday Morning Tip: Nicklaus on how to make the big putt
Last month, during the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village, I had the good fortune to conduct a one-on-one interview with Jack Nicklaus about a variety of instructional topics. Every time I sit down with the man who won 18 professional majors plus two U.S. Amateurs, I'm amazed how his thinking process works and the attention to detail he displays in his thoughts about the game in general and the swing in particular. I asked him what his mindset was when he had to make a big putt--and along with Tiger he made more big putts than anyone. Here's what he told me. I hope his insight helps your game this weekend, and remember to follow me on Twitter @RogerSchiffman.
Roger Schiffman
Managing Editor
Golf Digest
Jack Nicklaus: "In a big situation, I just told myself I had to make it. That's the simplest answer I know. I never stroked a putt until I was ready. What was I thinking? I was trying to make sure I had the feel and that it was lined up. I was simply getting ready to put the ball in the hole and not get sloppy with it.
"I see guys today, and they just put the putter down and hit the ball. They have an automatic routine and stick with it. How can they even think about what they are doing? Not me. I could hit a putt in one or two seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, because I'm not concerned with how long I'm over the ball, I'm concerned that I'm ready to play the shot.
"And I'm thinking of fundamentals, too. One is that my eyes are over the putting line. I'm thinking to make sure I keep my head still, which is usually my last thought. If I've done all the other things right, but then move my head, I'm not going to make the putt. So that's why it is the last thing I say to myself."
(Photo: David Cannon/Getty Images)
Roger Schiffman
Managing Editor
Golf Digest
Jack Nicklaus: "In a big situation, I just told myself I had to make it. That's the simplest answer I know. I never stroked a putt until I was ready. What was I thinking? I was trying to make sure I had the feel and that it was lined up. I was simply getting ready to put the ball in the hole and not get sloppy with it. "I see guys today, and they just put the putter down and hit the ball. They have an automatic routine and stick with it. How can they even think about what they are doing? Not me. I could hit a putt in one or two seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, because I'm not concerned with how long I'm over the ball, I'm concerned that I'm ready to play the shot.
"And I'm thinking of fundamentals, too. One is that my eyes are over the putting line. I'm thinking to make sure I keep my head still, which is usually my last thought. If I've done all the other things right, but then move my head, I'm not going to make the putt. So that's why it is the last thing I say to myself."
(Photo: David Cannon/Getty Images)
Monday Swing Analysis: Learn from Rory's putting approach
Editor's note: Every Monday, PGA professional Kevin Hinton examines the game of a recent tour winner and tells you what you can learn. A Golf Digest Best Young Teacher, Kevin is the Director of Instruction at Piping Rock Golf Club, Locust Valley, N.Y., and is a Lead Master Instructor for the Jim McLean Golf School at Doral Resort & Spa. He also teaches at Drive 495 in New York. He has seen thousands of swings, and has helped golfers of all abilities, from rank beginners to tour players. This week, he looks at the incredible putting performance of U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy, who not only hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation at Congressional, but backed that up with near-flawless putting en route to his record-breaking eight-shot victory. Kevin analyzes McIlroy's approach on the greens, and tells you how you can improve your putting as well.
Roger Schiffman
Managing Editor
Golf Digest
Twitter @RogerSchiffman
Kevin Hinton: Rory McIlroy made several clutch birdie and par-saving putts in Sunday's final round to help keep his momentum and allow him to cruise to his first major championship title. Rory navigated Congressional's treacherous greens beautifully, three-putting only once during the entire tournament. Let's take a closer look at the video below by one of Rory's putting coaches, Dave Stockton, to see what you can learn from the approach on the greens of the youngest U.S. Open champion in 88 years.
See view below of Dave Stockton's putting approach.
I often tell my students that the two most important length putts are four-footers and 40-footers--essentially long putts and short putts. These are the distances that will have the greatest effect on your putting score, and the distances that should be practiced the most. If you can control your speed on your long putts and confidently knock in your shorter putts, you will definitely have a good putting day. Everything you can make from the middle distances is a nice bonus. This is even truer for the average player, the reason being that if a middle-handicapper hits a green in regulation, it is often in the 30- to 40-foot range. The chances of making this putt is extremely low. The goal is to now two-putt. PGA Tour players make approximately 41 percent from 10 feet, 70 percent from six feet, and 99 percent from three feet. These stats should give you an idea of how close you need to hit your lag putt to have a realistic chance of two-putting. Think of it this way: If you are consistently leaving yourself six feet for your second putt, and you putt as well as the best players in the world, you'll three-putt nearly one-third of the time. However, as your lag putting improves, the chances of two-putting increases exponentially as you shorten the distance of that second putt. If you can leave yourself three feet or less, statistical probability says you'll make it. Read more
Roger Schiffman
Managing Editor
Golf Digest
Twitter @RogerSchiffman
Kevin Hinton: Rory McIlroy made several clutch birdie and par-saving putts in Sunday's final round to help keep his momentum and allow him to cruise to his first major championship title. Rory navigated Congressional's treacherous greens beautifully, three-putting only once during the entire tournament. Let's take a closer look at the video below by one of Rory's putting coaches, Dave Stockton, to see what you can learn from the approach on the greens of the youngest U.S. Open champion in 88 years.
See view below of Dave Stockton's putting approach.
I often tell my students that the two most important length putts are four-footers and 40-footers--essentially long putts and short putts. These are the distances that will have the greatest effect on your putting score, and the distances that should be practiced the most. If you can control your speed on your long putts and confidently knock in your shorter putts, you will definitely have a good putting day. Everything you can make from the middle distances is a nice bonus. This is even truer for the average player, the reason being that if a middle-handicapper hits a green in regulation, it is often in the 30- to 40-foot range. The chances of making this putt is extremely low. The goal is to now two-putt. PGA Tour players make approximately 41 percent from 10 feet, 70 percent from six feet, and 99 percent from three feet. These stats should give you an idea of how close you need to hit your lag putt to have a realistic chance of two-putting. Think of it this way: If you are consistently leaving yourself six feet for your second putt, and you putt as well as the best players in the world, you'll three-putt nearly one-third of the time. However, as your lag putting improves, the chances of two-putting increases exponentially as you shorten the distance of that second putt. If you can leave yourself three feet or less, statistical probability says you'll make it. Read more
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