Speed control when putting is vital when looking at reducing your putting score on the golf course.
Speed control is crucial for effective putting in golf. Here are some tips to help you improve your speed control on the greens:
- Develop a Consistent Putting Stroke: A smooth and consistent putting stroke is essential for good speed control. Practice maintaining a steady rhythm and tempo throughout your stroke. Avoid jerky or rushed movements that can lead to inconsistent speed.
- Focus on Distance Control: Instead of solely focusing on the hole, shift your attention to the distance you want the ball to travel. Develop a feel for the length of your strokes and the corresponding distances. This will help you gauge the appropriate speed for each putt.
- Practice Lag Putting: Lag putting refers to longer putts where your primary goal is to get the ball close to the hole rather than sinking it. Practice lag putting from various distances to develop a better sense of speed. Focus on consistently getting the ball within a comfortable tap-in range.
- Utilize the “Clock Method”: Imagine the hole as the center of a clock face, with 6 o'clock representing the hole and 12 o'clock representing you. To control speed, visualize different positions on the clock face to guide your stroke length. For shorter putts, you might imagine a 4 o'clock backswing and an 8 o'clock follow-through, while longer putts may require a 3 o'clock backswing and a 9 o'clock follow-through.
- Read the Green: Properly reading the slope and contours of the green is crucial for speed control. Take time to observe the subtle breaks and undulations. Adjust your aim and stroke length based on the uphill or downhill nature of the putt, as well as the potential impact of any slopes or grain on the green.
- Practice with Different Length Putts: Incorporate putts of varying lengths into your practice routine. Start with shorter putts to develop a sense of touch and then gradually move to longer putts. This will help you build confidence and improve your ability to control speed across different distances.
- Pay Attention to Green Speed: Different courses and even different seasons can have varying green speeds. Take time to get a feel for the speed of the greens before your round or during warm-up. Adjust your stroke length and force accordingly to match the speed of the greens.
- Maintain a Relaxed Grip Pressure: Gripping the putter too tightly can lead to tension in your hands and wrists, affecting your ability to control speed. Maintain a relaxed grip pressure, allowing for a smooth and fluid stroke.
- Practice with Putting Drills: Incorporate putting drills into your practice routine to improve your speed control. For example, you can set up a distance ladder of putts at different lengths and try to consistently roll the ball to the desired spot. This will help you develop a better sense of distance and improve your speed control.
Remember that speed control is a skill that takes time and practice to master. By focusing on these tips and dedicating regular practice to your putting game, you can improve your speed control and become more confident on the greens.
Speed control is so important for the simple reason you cannot realistically miss a putt by five to ten feet left or right, however, you can easily leave a putt more than 10 feet short or long of the intended target, leaving yourself a very testing putt next time. This can quickly increase your putting score and your overall score.
The break of a putt is very dependent on the speed the golf ball is travelling. If the putt is hit firmly, the break will not affect it as much as a putt that has been hit at dead weight. So when judging the break you need to ask yourself 'What speed do I desire to hit the putt at?' This will help when judging how much a certain putt breaks.
Fault – A player will focus more on the line of the putt instead of working out the speed and judgment of the putt they face. This can easily lead to leaving a long second putt and quite possibly a missed second putt resulting in higher scores.
Fix – By introducing the following technique to your putting game, you will suddenly be able to judge the distance of putts much better.
Pre-round preparation – Can you afford to spend just five minutes before you play to make sure you can accurately measure the speed of the greens ?
- The pre-round practice drill will take place on the practice putting green before you play. You do not even need a hole to practice on. Place a tee peg near the end of the green but still on the green and aim as if you are hitting towards the opposite side of the green. The task is to start with a small putt away from the tee peg.
- For the next shot, you need to hit the ball from the tee peg again but this time aim to finish the golf ball just past the last one (about six inches past). For the next shot, you need to hit the ball from the tee peg again but this time aim to finish the golf ball just past the second golf ball (about six inches past).
- Repeat this process until you fail to go past the final golf ball. Aim to complete 10 golf balls in a row. This is a great way to familiarise yourself with the speed of the greens so that you can judge distance control quickly before you go out and play.
Q: Why is speed control important for golf putting? A: Speed control is crucial for golf putting because it directly affects the distance the ball travels and its ability to reach the hole. Proper speed control helps golfers avoid three-putts and increases the chances of holing longer putts or leaving short putts for easy tap-ins.
Q: What are some tips to improve speed control for golf putting? A: Some tips to improve speed control for golf putting include:
- Develop a consistent putting stroke and tempo.
- Focus on the length of the backswing and follow-through to control distance.
- Pay attention to the speed of the greens during practice and adjust accordingly.
- Utilize the “clock method” to develop a feel for different distances.
Q: How can golfers practice their speed control for putting? A: Golfers can practice speed control for putting by setting up drills that involve putting to different distances on the practice green. They can also use distance markers or use the “gate drill” to work on controlling the speed of the ball as it passes through the gate.
Q: What role does green reading play in speed control for putting? A: Green reading is essential for speed control in putting. Understanding the slope and break of the green helps golfers gauge the amount of force needed to roll the ball to the hole at the correct speed.
Q: How can golfers adapt their speed control based on the speed and conditions of the greens? A: Golfers can adapt their speed control by taking note of the speed of the greens during practice rounds or warm-ups. They can adjust their putting stroke and the length of the backswing or follow-through to match the specific green speed.
Q: Is there a specific putting grip or stance that aids in better speed control? A: The choice of putting grip and stance can vary from golfer to golfer, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. However, a stable and comfortable putting grip and stance can help golfers maintain better control over their putting stroke, leading to improved speed control.
Q: How can golfers maintain good speed control on long putts? A: For long putts, golfers should focus on developing a smooth and rhythmic stroke with a longer backswing and follow-through. Lagging the ball close to the hole rather than trying to make it can be a safe strategy to avoid three-putting.
Q: What are some common mistakes golfers make when it comes to speed control for putting? A: Common mistakes in speed control for putting include hitting the ball too hard on short putts, leaving long putts well short of the hole, and not adjusting to the speed of the greens. Lack of practice and not reading the greens properly can also lead to poor speed control.
Q: Can golfers use training aids or devices to improve their speed control for putting? A: Yes, golfers can use various training aids or devices to improve their speed control for putting. Tools like putting mats, speed boards, or training aids with distance markers can help golfers develop a better feel for distance and speed.
Q: How can golfers maintain consistent speed control under pressure or in competitive situations? A: To maintain consistent speed control under pressure, golfers should trust their practice and focus on the process rather than the outcome. Deep breathing and positive visualization can also help golfers stay calm and composed during pressure situations.
Q: How can golfers monitor their progress in improving speed control for putting? A: Golfers can monitor their progress in improving speed control by keeping a putting log, noting the number of putts made from different distances, and tracking their three-putt percentages. Regularly assessing their performance will help identify areas that need more practice and improvement.
Key tip – A great way to judge the speed when out on the golf course is to aim to look at the hole when you take your practice swing before the shot.
