The best putters seem to be able to will the ball in the hole.The difference between a good or bad round for many golfers is proper execution of the short game and putting in particular.
Use a methodical approach to putting practice and reap the benefits by obtaining:
- Positive confident attitude
- Proper mechanics
- Practice ... lots of it
- Perfect your feel when mechanics become second nature
Putting scared doesn't work.
Remaining positive when they don't fall is a requirement.
Convincing yourself and confidently executing the shot is the ticket
The mental approach we talked about related to golf shots in general apply here too. If you somehow convince yourself that the putts won't fall ... they won't.
2 Proper mechanics
The putting stroke is performed using the shoulders. No wrist. No hands.
Your head must not move. Your eyes should be lined up with the ball vertically (eyes over the ball).
Make equal length back and forward strokes. Increase the length of the equal stroke as the length of the putt increases.
3 Practice ... lots of it
Begin by putting in a flat area about 3 feet away. If you have trouble sinking a decent number at 3 feet then move to 2 feet. Concentrate on a smooth even stroke that has equal backswing and frontswing length.
The shoulders move the putter. You practice picking the speed and line that you visualize in the pre shot routine and then execute the stroke to make it happen.
Move back in increments of 1/2 foot as your confidence (and results) improve until you feel good about flat putts from decent distances.
Practicing putts that curve will require better visualization than flat putts. Pointing the blade at a target and concentrating on the speed is somewhat easier than picking an arc combined with the speed to sink the putt and keep misses close to the hole.
Practice uphill putts and putts that hook into the hole first (break left for righthander / break right for lefthander). Achieve the same comfort zone you feel with flat putts.
Work on downhill putts and putts that slice away from you last.
4 Perfect your feel when mechanics become second nature
Remember the discussion earlier about positive confidence.
Once the mechanics are good, you have enough comfort with your ability, and have practiced efficiently, you will develop the ability to feel the putt instead of making decisions and executing mechanical strokes.
Feeling putts into the hole works better than mechanically executing estimated strokes. People that make it through this transition really get substantial long term results.
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