Decelerating Putting Stroke. But, there are a couple other points which need to be made.
First, we need to talk about the connection between the speed of your putts and the line that you use. If you are used to using a decelerating stroke, you are probably accustomed to having your putts barely reach the cup. By switching to an accelerating stroke, it’s likely that you’ll be carrying more speed most of the time.
With that in mind, you probably won’t need to play as much break as you do currently. A putt which is moving faster is going to break less than a putt which is limping up toward the cup. As your putts pick up speed, be sure to play a little less margin with your reads.
The other point has to do with decisiveness on the greens. Even if you do a good job of taking out the tendency to decelerate on the practice green, you might slip back into this bad habit if you are unsure of your reads on the course. Once you pick a line, you need to believe in that line completely. Any doubt that you have regarding the accuracy of your target line is going to be manifested in an unsure, tentative putting stroke. That means you will be likely to decelerate, and the putt will be likely to miss.
We hope this discussion on decelerating with the putter will help you turn over a new leaf in your short game. It is frustrating to struggle on the greens, as your performance with the putter goes a long way toward determining your score for the day. Take stock of your current technique and make changes based on what you have learned. It shouldn’t take long for your new and improved putting stroke to pay off on the course.
Putting is a crucial aspect of the golf game, and focusing on key points can significantly improve your performance on the greens. Here are a couple of helpful putting points:
- Smooth and Rhythmic Stroke:
- Point: Maintain a smooth and rhythmic putting stroke.
- Why It's Important: A smooth and rhythmic stroke promotes better control and consistency. Avoiding sudden jerks or accelerations helps in keeping the putter face square to the target through impact.
- Eyes Over the Ball:
- Point: Ensure that your eyes are directly over the ball at address.
- Why It's Important: Proper eye position helps with alignment and allows you to see the line more accurately. This promotes a more accurate and consistent setup.
- Grip Pressure:
- Point: Use a light grip pressure.
- Why It's Important: Gripping the putter too tightly can lead to tension in your hands and arms, negatively impacting your feel for distance and control. A lighter grip promotes a more natural and responsive stroke.
- Steady Head Position:
- Point: Keep your head steady throughout the putting stroke.
- Why It's Important: A steady head minimizes unnecessary movement and helps maintain consistent alignment. It also contributes to a more stable and controlled stroke.
- Focus on the Target:
- Point: Keep your focus on the target rather than the putter head during the stroke.
- Why It's Important: Directing your attention to the target promotes a more instinctive and reactive stroke. Trust your feel for distance and line, and let your body respond naturally to the visualized putt.
- Practice Distance Control:
- Point: Spend time practicing various distances to improve distance control.
- Why It's Important: Distance control is crucial for making putts. Regularly practicing putts from short, medium, and long distances helps develop a better feel for the speed of the greens.
- Consistent Routine:
- Point: Establish a consistent pre-putt routine.
- Why It's Important: A consistent routine helps create a sense of familiarity and comfort. It can also be a mental trigger to transition into a focused and confident mindset before each putt.
- Visualization:
- Point: Visualize the ball rolling along the intended line into the hole.
- Why It's Important: Visualization enhances your mental imagery and helps you commit to the chosen line and speed. See the successful putt in your mind before executing the stroke.
- Posture and Setup:
- Point: Maintain a comfortable and balanced posture at address.
- Why It's Important: A good setup is the foundation of a solid putting stroke. Ensure your stance is balanced, your weight is evenly distributed, and your posture promotes a natural and free-flowing stroke.
- Be Patient and Positive:
- Point: Stay patient and maintain a positive mindset, especially after a missed putt.
- Why It's Important: Putting requires mental resilience. Don't let a missed putt affect your confidence. Stay positive, learn from each putt, and focus on the process rather than dwelling on outcomes.
Remember that putting is a skill that improves with consistent practice and a focused approach. Integrating these points into your putting routine can contribute to better performance on the greens.
Here's a Q&A on helpful putting points:
Q: Why is a smooth and rhythmic putting stroke important? A: A smooth and rhythmic putting stroke is crucial for better control and consistency. It helps maintain a square putter face and promotes accuracy in both direction and distance.
Q: How does having your eyes directly over the ball contribute to better putting? A: Having your eyes directly over the ball at address helps with proper alignment. It allows you to see the target line more accurately and promotes a more consistent setup, leading to improved putting accuracy.
Q: Why is a light grip pressure recommended for putting? A: Using a light grip pressure helps reduce tension in the hands and arms. A lighter grip allows for better feel and touch, essential for controlling the speed and direction of putts.
Q: What's the significance of keeping a steady head position during the putting stroke? A: Maintaining a steady head minimizes unnecessary movement, leading to better consistency in alignment and stroke. It contributes to a stable and controlled putting motion.
Q: Why should golfers focus on the target rather than the putter head during the stroke? A: Focusing on the target helps golfers trust their instincts and promotes a more natural stroke. It encourages a smooth and reactive motion, enhancing overall putting performance.
Q: How does practicing various distances contribute to better distance control in putting? A: Practicing putts from various distances helps golfers develop a better feel for the speed of the greens. It enhances distance control, a crucial aspect of making putts consistently.
Q: Why is a consistent pre-putt routine important? A: A consistent pre-putt routine creates a sense of familiarity and helps golfers transition into a focused and confident mindset before each putt. It contributes to a more stable mental approach to putting.
Q: How does visualization improve putting performance? A: Visualization helps golfers mentally picture the successful outcome of the putt. It enhances commitment to the chosen line and speed, positively influencing the execution of the putting stroke.
Q: What role does a comfortable and balanced posture play in putting? A: A comfortable and balanced posture is fundamental to a solid putting stroke. It sets the foundation for a natural and free-flowing motion, promoting better consistency and accuracy on the greens.
Q: Why is maintaining a patient and positive mindset important in putting? A: Putting requires mental resilience. Staying patient and positive, especially after a missed putt, helps golfers maintain confidence and focus on the process rather than dwelling on outcomes.
Incorporating these helpful putting points into your practice and play can contribute to improved performance on the greens and a more confident putting stroke
