Putting

Start Rolling Putts Like You Mean it

August 19, 2016
Shaun-Webb-swing-basics-grip-01.jpg

The USGA banned anchoring the putter against your body for one huge reason: It worked great.

By holding the handle against something more stable, it reduced extra motion in the stroke, and gave players a better chance to produce predictable results. Those days are over, but you can still feel the benefits of an anchored stroke without actually cheating.

"The main thing anchoring fixed was shoving your hands toward the target during the stroke," says Golf Digest Best Young Teacher Shaun Webb, who is based at the David Toms 265 Academy in Shreveport, La. "When you practice, you want to do something that will get you to swing the putterhead instead of shifting the handle."

To do it, choke up on the putter so that your left hand is on the shaft, and stick the butt of the grip into your gut, says Webb. Make some practice strokes this way, which will force you to move the head end and not the grip. Once you get the feel, switch back to your standard grip and roll some practice putts.

"The first thing you'll see is that the ball will roll instead of hop," says Webb. "And it will be a lot easier to control your speed."