Thursday, June 10, 2010

Putting Tips From a Top Teacher And Golf Pro--Mark Harman--No,not the Actor

Putting From a Professional’s view -- With Mark Harman
By Mark Grove
Putting -- is it an area of your teaching that you need to refine with your pro and amateur students?

Golf columnist Mark Grove interviews United States Golf Teacher Federation golf professional and National course director Mark Harman.Harman gives us the straight dope on various aspects of putting and how if an instructor uses these tips can assist their students in taking their putts and whole game to a whole new level.

Mark Harman became a golf teaching professional in 1989 when a friend who worked for The Florida Golf School recommended Mark as a teacher.At the time,Mark was a low handicapper who knew the game well.Harman started teaching beginners and progressed into teaching--advanced players.In April 91'Mark started working for USGTF as a course examiner responsible for training and testing others on how to teach golf. Years later he became the National Course Director, running certification classes.

A position Mark still holds.The USGTF started in 1989, and has over 6,000 members in 50 states and many countries.USGTF members can be found in many different positions,such as course management/owners, Director of Golf, Head Pro, teaching professionals and coaching The USGTF is also comprised of the teaching federation's of 22 different countries.Each year the USGTF holds their National championship, The US Golf Teachers Cup,which Mark has won 4 times, as well as 12 professional victories overall.

The USGTF has a world championship every two years, and the World Golf teachers Cup. This comprises of individual, and team competition. Anyone wanting more information can see The United States Golf Teachers Federation website at www.usgtf.com.

The text in this article is taken from an earlier interview with Mark Harman on Putting,and rewritten to reflect how US Golf Teacher's Federation Teacher's can use this information to instruct their students on Putting. This article begins with the type of Putter an instructor should be telling their students to use. Mark says; It doesn't really matter,but it is important that the Putter be the correct length.

By getting your student to assume a comfortable stance with arms hanging naturally at each side will tell a Golf Teacher how long a student's putter should be.Now, as far as putting technique goes, I asked Mark how a student should follow through on their putts,slow? so you get a feel for the momentum needed to reach the cup.

MH: Most people slow down too quickly once they begin the forward part of the putting stroke.There should be a gradual build up of speed once the putter has started a forward like pendulum swing.Only once the ball has been struck,should your student's putter start to slow down--so that the length of the follow through is slightly longer than the length of the back swing.

The key for your student is gradual acceleration through the hitting area. A good drill they can do is to place the putter directly behind the ball and then push the ball toward the hole using a 3 foot putt.

MG: Is practicing from different lies, angles and distances important to improve your putting?

MH: No two putts are the same. So it is imperative to practice from different angles,lies and distances.While doing this,it is important to monitor your students distance control.If the ball doesn't go into the hole,try to get it to stop within one putter length of the cup,or about 33-35" past the hole.The top players can do this consistently from up to 30 feet away,but for beginners they are doing well if they can do it from 10 feet.The average golfer should be able to do it from 20 feet.

MG: Should you work on your putting, more than your long game?

MH: That's a good question.
How well students putts, is determined by how far the ball is from the hole.Of course,it is easier to make a 4 foot shot than a 10 footer.So if someone is not chipping or pitching the ball close to the hole,they likely won't make the putt.

Studies also show that outside 5 feet, the average golfer will miss the putt. So it's important to get the chip or pitch as close as possible.You can't neglect putting or your short game.I would have to say, if your putting is weaker than your long game,practice putting more and vice versa.

MG: Will a strong short game help your game as a whole, and shave strokes off?

MH: No doubt Mark. For someone who can't break 100, it's common to see them take four shots to get into the cup from just off the green.When with any proficiency at all, they could easily average three.Accomplished golfers,such as low handicappers take two strokes on average.

I also hear a lot of golfers say that having a solid short game gives them confidence in their long game. Because if they make a poor approach shot,they still have a good chance to save their par. As a result, they make a freer shot and hit a better approach shot.

MG: If you have the opportunity at a club, is using a golf pro to teach you how to putt more proficiently, important?

MH: One of the most unfortunate things in my opinion, is that more students don't take putting lessons. Most people think that putting is all feel and technique does not matter.It does! By learning a few basics,it becomes easier to be a good, or great putter.

Thanks again to United States Golf Teacher's Federation Course Director Mark Harman on these putting techniques that USGTF instructors can use for their students to excel their short game.They can also determine whether it's their short game that needs to be worked on more than other aspects of their Golf game.

Mark Grove
Putting From a Professional--Mark Harman

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