Saving strokes on the greens is crucial for a successful round of golf. Here are some techniques to help you improve your putting and increase your chances of sinking more putts:
- Read the Green: Develop the ability to read the slope, contours, and grain of the green before making your putt. Take your time to analyze the putt from different angles, crouch down to get a lower view of the line, and consider how the slope might affect the ball's roll. This will help you determine the correct line and speed for your putt.
- Accelerate Through Impact: When putting, it's important to maintain a smooth and accelerating stroke through impact. Avoid decelerating or hitting at the ball. Focus on keeping the putter moving smoothly and accelerating as you strike the ball. This will help promote a consistent roll and reduce the chances of leaving putts short.
- Practice Distance Control: Spend time practicing your distance control on the putting green. Develop a feel for how far back you need to take the putter for different distances and work on consistently hitting putts the desired distance. Distance control is crucial for leaving yourself shorter, more manageable second putts, and minimizing three-putts.
- Develop a Pre-shot Routine: Establishing a consistent pre-shot routine can help you get into a focused and confident mindset before each putt. This routine could involve aligning the putter, taking a practice swing, visualizing the putt, and then stepping up to address the ball. A routine helps eliminate distractions and promotes consistency in your stroke.
- Practice Visualization: Before striking your putt, visualize the ball rolling along the intended line and dropping into the hole. Visualizing success can boost your confidence and help you commit to the putt. Use your imagination to see the ball's path and focus on executing a smooth stroke to match your visualization.
- Stay Positive and Committed: Putting requires mental fortitude, so it's important to maintain a positive mindset and stay committed to each putt. Avoid dwelling on previous missed putts and focus on the current opportunity. Trust your read, commit to your line, and stroke the ball with confidence. Doubt and hesitation can negatively impact your stroke.
- Practice Putting Under Pressure: To simulate the pressure of making important putts during a round, practice under more challenging conditions. Set up drills that involve putting to different holes from various distances and keep track of your performance. This helps build your ability to perform well when the pressure is on during an actual round.
Remember, becoming a proficient putter takes practice and patience. Regularly dedicating time to improving your putting skills and implementing these techniques will help you save strokes and become more confident on the greens.
While discussing chip shots and bunker shots, we are only dealing with half of the equation. In this article, we are going to look into getting the putt ‘down’. In other words, we are going to talk about how you can make more putts to complete the up and down process as frequently as possible. There are few things in golf as frustrating as hitting a beautiful chip or bunker shot only to miss the putt and ruin your chance at a save.
Since you will hopefully have knocked the ball up close to the hole with the first half of the up and down effort, the tips below are going to be focused on short putts. During your next practice putting session, keep these fundamentals and techniques in mind.
- Overall head stability. When discussing chipping fundamentals, we talked about the importance of keeping your eyes focused on the ball during the swing. That same concept applies here too, of course, but we want to take it a step further. When hitting putts – especially short putts – you want to keep your head perfectly still throughout the stroke.
- Keeping your head still when chipping is a good idea as well, but it’s particularly important when trying to knock in a short putt. The key here is accuracy, and keeping your head in the same place throughout the stroke is going to help you be more accurate in the end.
- Perfectly quiet hands. In addition to keeping your head still, you want to keep your hands and wrists still as well. Are you noticing a theme? That’s right – good short putting is all about stability and consistency. When you can produce the same motion every time, over and over again, you will make more putts. And the best way to be consistent with the motion you produce is to take as many moving parts out of the equation as possible.
- That means rocking the putter back and through with your shoulders while keeping everything else still. This is a hard concept for many new golfers to grasp, but it is a powerful method once you learn how to make it work.
- Short backstroke. This is fundamental which is specific to making short putts. One problem many golfers run into when putting from short range is making a backstroke which is too long for the putt at hand. There is simply no need to make a long backstroke, and if you do, you’ll need to slow the putter down on the way forward in order to apply the right speed to the putt.
- It should be noted that there is a difference between making a short backstroke and making a quick stroke. You don’t need to rush through the stroke, but you don’t need to let the putter head drift way back away from the ball, either. Keep the stroke tight while also taking your time to let it rock back and through. Once you settle into a nice rhythm, you should be able to pop your short putts into the cup one after another.
It feels good to knock a three-footer into the hole after hitting a quality chip shot from a difficult position. Not only will you have saved yourself a stroke (or two), you will also pick up a boost of confidence moving forward. You’ll know that missing the green doesn’t automatically mean a bogey or worse and that knowledge will take some of the pressure off of your long game. Also, if you are able to improve your short putting, you will be more likely to make short putts for birdie when those opportunities come around.
Best Save Techniques for Getting the Putts Down:
- Read the Green Thoroughly:
- Take your time to read the green and assess the slope and break. Understanding the putt's path helps you make informed decisions.
- Maintain a Consistent Putting Routine:
- Stick to a consistent pre-putt routine. This helps establish a rhythm and focus, promoting better execution under pressure.
- Visualize the Putt:
- Visualize the entire putt from start to finish. Picture the ball rolling along your intended line and dropping into the cup.
- Control Your Breathing:
- Practice controlled breathing to stay calm. Deep breaths can help manage nerves and maintain focus during crucial putts.
- Commit to the Line:
- Once you've chosen your line, commit to it fully. Doubt and indecision can lead to tentative strokes, affecting the putt's accuracy.
- Focus on Speed Control:
- Pay attention to speed control. A consistent speed reduces the likelihood of three-putting and increases the chances of holing the putt.
- Putt to a Spot:
- Instead of solely focusing on the hole, pick a spot along your intended line and putt to that spot. This technique helps with alignment and accuracy.
- Practice Lag Putting:
- Spend time practicing long lag putts. Developing a good feel for distance on longer putts can lead to better proximity to the hole.
- Use the Putter's Sweet Spot:
- Strike the ball with the putter's sweet spot. Consistent contact improves the roll and accuracy of the putt.
- Stay Positive:
- Maintain a positive mindset regardless of previous outcomes. Focus on the opportunity to make a successful putt rather than dwelling on misses.
10 Q&A on Best Save Techniques for Getting the Putts Down:
- Q: How do I handle downhill putts for a save?
- A: Be conservative with downhill putts. Focus on speed control to prevent the ball from racing past the hole.
- Q: Should I change my putting grip for crucial putts?
- A: Stick to your regular putting grip for consistency. Changing grips under pressure can lead to inconsistencies.
- Q: What's the best way to practice putting under pressure?
- A: Create pressure situations during practice, simulate tournament scenarios, and practice short putts to build confidence.
- Q: How do I read subtle breaks on the green?
- A: Pay attention to the overall slope and any visual cues on the green. Subtle breaks may not be as apparent, so a keen eye is crucial.
- Q: Is it better to be aggressive or conservative on crucial putts?
- A: Balance is key. Be aggressive when the opportunity presents itself, but prioritize lag putting to minimize three-putts.
- Q: Should I focus on the hole or the ball during the putting stroke?
- A: Focus on the ball. Keeping your eyes on the ball promotes a consistent stroke and contact.
- Q: How do I handle fast greens for crucial putts?
- A: Be mindful of speed control. Practice on fast greens to get a feel for the pace, and avoid aggressive strokes that may lead to lengthy comebacks.
- Q: Should I use a line on the ball for alignment?
- A: Experiment with using a line for alignment during practice. If it helps you align putts accurately, incorporate it into your routine.
- Q: How do I recover mentally after a missed crucial putt?
- A: Acknowledge the miss, but quickly shift your focus to the next opportunity. Stay positive and confident in your abilities.
- Q: Should I factor in the grain of the green for a save putt?
- A: Yes, consider the grain of the green, especially on slower putts. Grain can influence the roll and break of the putt.
Remember that effective putting under pressure is a combination of skill, confidence, and mental composure. Regular practice and exposure to pressure situations will enhance your ability to make crucial putts.
