Each Sunday, we watch in awe as the best players in the world battle for a win on the PGA Tour. The fireworks are always entertaining. Phil Mickelson continued to impress us with shots that would lead us to question his mortality. Some of these should be included in the category: 'don't try this at home.'
These are a few that come to mind:
1. the lob shot on #10 that led to the birdie from the fringe
2. the 243 yard 4-iron on #11
3. the uphill, 275 yard 4-wood on #17
But, the shot of the day was the putt for birdie on hole #16 by Charles Howell III. How many one putts can a man make in the final holes? Howell made crucial putts on 14, 16, 17, and 18 to earn a spot in the playoff. Then, he continues the streak with one-putts on all three of the playoff holes. Seven birdies in the final round of the Nissan can't hurt your chances for a win.
So, if your goal is to lower your handicap and a 243 yard 4-iron is out of reach, becoming a proficient putter should be your goal.
Think about it, how many hours have we spent on the driving range, hitting drive after drive? Then, in comparison, how many hours do we spend on the putting green? Quite simply, we are all guilty of neglect when it comes to putting.
There are a few things that have to be considered in creating a proper regiment for practice putting. Your ability to align the putter face to your target is of utmost importance. When a golfer cannot align the putter face to the target, a compensatory motion will follow. If a player constantly aligns the face to the right, the putt must be pulled in order to find success. An uncompensated stroke should be everyone's goal.
I would encourage you to find something that aids in alignment of the face. There are many devices that have been designed to help in this area. Lasers are very helpful tools and provide a 'superintendent friendly' alternative to the carpenter's chalk-line.
When a chalk-line is placed on a green, the player will continue to putt from the same location and will kill the grass beneath his feet. Also, the line stays when the golfer leaves, and the next to find it will certainly use it. This adds additional stress to the surface. Something very simple that will serve the same purpose is two large nails and a piece of string.
Tie the string to the top of each nail and create a straight line above your ball and the hole. With the string directly above the ball, you will be able to see the line perfectly. Find the straightest putts on the green, and make as many as possible from varying lengths.
There must also be a separation of duties in your putting routine. Alignment of the putter face is the first concern. But, distance to the hole should be your only concern when making a stroke. There's a trick to remembering the length of the putt. When the eyes return from the hole to the ball, train yourself to initiate the stroke immediately. This will leave a visual imprint with regard to the length of the putt. The longer you pause with your eyes on the ball, the image of the hole will vanish and distance control will escape you.
If your ability to aim and your ability to control distance improve, your potential will be realized.
Maybe you'll beat Phil Mickelson in a playoff by one-putting seven of the last eight greens. Um, maybe not. But I promise you'll play better golf and enjoy better scores if you spend time working on your putting stroke.
Thought for the day: Always accept a wager from a guy that carries two putters in his bag. He's trying to find one that works.
Ted Fort, Jr. was chosen by his peers to be the 2006 Georgia PGA Teacher of the Year. His home facility is Marietta Golf Center, in Marietta, Georgia. Fort also serves as a Senior Instructor with www.LynnBlakeGolf.com and teaches golf schools all over the country. In 2006 he was chosen to instruct a VIP clinic at the Barclays Weschester Classic, on the PGA Tour. Ted can be reached at tufpgagolf@yahoo.com.
