How do you practice putting? Do you drop a couple of balls down
before the round and make a few strokes before heading off to the
first tee? Do you choose the range over the practice green?
How do you practice putting? Do you drop a couple of balls down before the round and make a few strokes before heading off to the first tee? Do you choose the range over the practice green?
Many golfers bypass the putting green before their round and even more do not include it in their practice routine.
To get consistent with the flat stick you must develop a fun practice routine. Golfers should use 2 or 3 golf balls during the putting routine.
First, you should practice short straight putts to groove the stroke. You can place a tee or mark 3 feet from the hole so you can keep your place. Make 21 of these straight putts in a row before moving on.
The next phase of your routine should include some 6 to 10′ putts. Practice making 5 six footers in a row, then try to make 5 ten footers in a row. You can vary the routine by developing your own games with yourself by keeping track of the most 3 footers you have ever made in a row as well as using this with the 6 and 10 footers.
Finally, you need to practice those longer putts. Pace off a 30′, 40′, and 50′ putt. When you putt the long ones imagine a 3 foot circle around the hole. Practice lagging the ball within that circle. If you consistently leave the ball inside that 3′ circle and you master the 3′ putt, you will eliminate the dreaded 3 putt from your game.
The time spent practicing your putting will bring consistency to your short game, lower your scores and drop your handicap.
Remember when all else fails take a lesson. You’ll be surprised how much we can help.
To schedule a lesson with PGA-certified instructor Don DeLorenzo, call Gilroy Golf Course at 848-0490.
