How to Master Downslope Putts that are short and long

How to Master Downslope Putts
December 8th 2006

Putting Basics on a green's down slope are easier to navigate than you think. But down slope putts have to be practiced more often than the majority of all Putts. More and more Golf Course designers for both pro and amatuers are making greens tougher to sink in regulation.And instead of making the fairways longer,they are making the greens tougher.All a matter of economics and available land.

Now,back to down-hill putts.Your first thoughts have to be thinking in your mind how to approach this putt on the down-low.This is because down slope putts are tough,even for pros,and most golfers end up stroking too hard and end up having the ball go miles beyond the cup.As well, a down slope can be mere inches or up to a foot or better,and you still may end up in a sand trap or water hazard.


Practice, Practice, Practice

Start off your putt down hill with some practice strokes to feel the length,both back and front,along with proper aim and break in your putt.By practicing your stroke length,speed and contact force of your down hiller,you should also focus your eyes on a spot just short of the hole.If it's a playoff shot and a million dollar purse is on the line,then go for it. But additional practice on down slopers and how to set up properly will result in more confidence in sinking these types of putts.Use a practice green at a range,or use a neatly manicured lawn that has a slight down slope to practice on.

In one of my last articles on putting I said to use a piece of tape on your putter head so you can putt the ball more accurately.If you still have shot alignment issues shots on the down hill putts,put a mark around the circumference of the ball with a magic marker.Don't use tape. You can put a mark on the putter head instead of tape.Align the mark on the club head with the mark on the ball.

This will help you with shot control in keeping it straight.Practice this regularly on the down hill putts, and other putts as well. Down slope puts are among the toughest,and regular practice shots will have you playing through the insecurity regardless of what happens.And great things can happen by doing just that.

Short Putting-how to get good at it forever

By Mark Grove

Well,I keep getting emails from people who are hung up on how to short putt. Even after reading my material and the latest interview with Golf Guru Mark Harman.

I'm going to give you guys one tip to get started.Just one.

Start with Tap-in putts guys.That makes it simple doesn't it.No it's not sexy or fun,but if you don't have the basics down with short putting,you'll
never get the long putts down either.

So for a week practice tap in putts only.From less than a foot and about a foot.How do you think the best putters like Lorne Roberts and Tiger got so good.They got down to the basics and just practiced constantly.

Don't worry about perfection or putting mechanics.Just keep your putt inline.Put a black mark on the ball and in the middle of the putter
clubhead for a reference point and just start short putting.

It's not how long you practice,but consistency guys.Don't get hung up on stuff,that's why most people never succeed at putting.

Practice tapins for atleast 10 minutes a day 4 to 7 days a week for the
first week.What,can't take 10 minutes out of your day to do something
that will make your golf game better,and shave strokes.

The littlest things help your game guys.

Short Putting Tip--Positioning your Ball For More Effective Putts

Positioning your ball for more effective putts December 12th 2006

Learning some basic Putting techniques and practicing them regularly,will get you further than the most complicated putting stroke Mechanics.It's not that hard to figure out. Practice is the key to Puting. Learning how to position and hit the ball is more important than a perfect putting stroke.Having better ball positioning will help you keep it more square to the hole and if it needs to break and round off, you can compensate for that more easily.

When you have putts that are just tap-ins, if you use a longer stroke your puts will veer off centre of the hole usually.The ball should be placed halfway between both feet in your putting stance for tap-ins.This will keep the contact force and speed of your putt in moderation.
Tap-ins should be done even more than long putts. The simplest putts are sometimes the most difficult. For longer strokes and long putts,the ball should be placed closer to the left foot for lefties,and the right for righties.

Here's one more tip to keep your putts in a more accurate alignment. If you putt with the ball positioned close to the foot closest to the hole including tap-ins, your putts will be harder to keep square to the hole, and will usually slice to the left or right of the cup. By not positioning the ball in an advantageous spot for the length of the putt, your putts will always have problems with accuracy and control. Start practicing your putts by positioning the ball close to the inside foot, and halfway between each foot. If you think i'm wrong about positioning the ball close to the foot nearest the cup,try practicing those putts for a while and see if i'm wrong or right.


Mark Grove