Brad Faxon on How To Approach Long Putts

Normally I don't talk about long putts but this one can help you guys from getting so frustrated when trying to Putt. Brad shows you how to set up and look for the break to see which way the green goes. Left to right or the other way. One thing Brad said that stuck with me was staying in the crouch long enough which a lot of golfers never do. I assume he's talking about taking a putting stroke fully through, and past the point of impact when you hit the ball to get a better shot.

So try this and practice it regularly.

Much success to you on the green guys.

Mark

A Really Bad Putting Tip From Brad Faxon

Hey guys, I had to get you to look at this important short putting video somehow. And yes, it's a real putting video from Brad Faxon that goes into what you think more than doing actual Putts.

Here's the Real Dope On Short Putting:

Sure, you may have missed a Putt, but like Brad said you can't blame yourself if you did everything in your arsenal to get a Putt in but it didn't go. Just do it again. Quitting isn't an option for guys and gals like you who are dedicated to being great Putters. Don't let fear stop you--let it propel you to take action to become a great Putter and golfer.

Mark 

Putting Fundamentals Tips From PGA Pro Brad Faxon--Simple But Vital Putting Tips

Brad Faxon talks about these basic fundamentals, time and grip. What I mean is taking the time to practice putt daily and getting your grip the way it should be, and some sense of comfort in your grip that gets results.

Brad shows you how to grip a Putter in this video and he actually says which threw me a little, to be wristy in your Putting Stroke. My thinking is the other way around on that. But maybe your putting stroke is better with a wristy putter grip. Mine has always been a tighter grip.

You make the choice. But use time to your advantage to practice putt and learn from Brad Faxon on grip and many other ways to become a better putter.

How You Should Really Set Up For A Putt From PGA Pro Dave Maga

Interesting take from Dave on how to set up your Putting stroke instead of just a back and forth motion. This tip will teach you to keep your putting stroke in more of an arc,keep your head still and keep that old pendulum putting swing still without missing a beat.

When Putting Is The Better Option Than Chipping

When your ball is literally at the fringe of the green most golfers including me and yes you will chip the damn ball.Guess we're a little silly that way and don't strategize. We'll chip the ball thinking that's the best way to get it where we want it to go. Most of us aren't very good at chipping either. I would guess a lot of pros aren't that great at it either. When is it the best strategy to Putt from the green fringe. Anytime!

Think about it, even the best golfers should use a putter at the start of the green. Reason being most top    pros and amateurs chip their shots either way beyond the cup or in a spot that will skyrocket their round score when  it makes better sense to Putt the ball, and the ball will roll more naturally and stop in a leveraged spot for your next Putt which should be a short putt or tap in possibly. Now, look at the grass as well. Does  it come toward you or toward the cup? If it goes toward the cup you'll have to back off your Putt a bit. Meaning, don't force your Putt from even the fringe of the green because it will go where you don't want it to go if you do. Also, if you use at Putter at the fringe of the green and take a more tactical approach to a long green shot, you'll see where the Putt breaks and be better able to make adjustments using a putter than using a Wedge to chip, when Putting is the better option. 

But if you use a Putter at the fringe of the green and keep these tips in mind, using a Putter will be the key to shots from the fringe of the green and possibly beyond. No this is not a Short Putting Tip but a great tip on how to use a Putter strategically,when the alternative does not necessarily work. This little Putting tip hopefully gets you thinking differently when on the green or elsewhere. Tell me what your results are guys.

Much Success on the Green

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.

Putts On the Down Slope and How To Master Them

How to Master Downslope Putts December 8th 2006

Putting Basics on a green's downslope are easier to navigate than you think. But downslope 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 downslope 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 downslope can be mere inches or up to a foot or better,and you still may end up in a sandtrap 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 downslope to practice on.In one of my last articles on putting,I said to use a piece if tape on your putter head so you can putt the ball more accurately.If you still have shot alignment issues with the down hill putts, put a mark around the circumference of the ball with a majic 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.

Mark Grove

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

Putting Tip--Green Reading,Mechanics and Proper Follow Through For Phenomenal Results on the green

Putting and How to put it into practice for phenomenal results
By MARK GROVE
DATE: 2004-03-21
Now,we all want to be better golfers,and for all you duffers out there that's scratch golfers no the answer is not being able to blast a tee off shot 300 yards regularly. Mind you it will get you to the green a lot faster and with fewer strokes.But not being a solid putter or chipper will ruin your handicap.Your short game should be practiced a higher percentage than your driving game believe it or not.

Here's what you need to do.
Read the Green: It's important that you look at the lie of a green when you're putting,this way when you putt you are more apt not to put it past the cup and down a hill to a trap or an awaiting pond. As well reading a green can give you an idea on how hard or soft to putt.There are quote"secrets" to reading a green but I'll leave those to the pros,because for the most part it's common sense on the course that prevails in green reading.But one way to learn how to putt on the course and putt well,and "shave" that handicap down to a respectable number is practice,practice,practice people. If you can,try and find a course that has practice greens.If you have the money and the drive to keep at your game buy a green.

There are more companies than you can shake a stick at that sell greens to the public.There's always a good deal for one. By using a green regularly for your putting you'll bring your short game up a notch by putting from various distances,lies and angles.This bodes well for your chipping game which is as important to your short game in the long run,but we're not here for that.

Your Mechanics: Ah mechanics in golf,the most over done aspect of the game yet it is more important when driving to have good mechanics I'll admit that but should not be done to the detriment of other parts of your game.You don't need a perfect swing, and if you think you do you'll never achieve anything in golf and you better take up crocheting"knit one pearl two". First things first.Learn how to control your putts and that means practicing that short swing.Don't stop after hitting the ball either and follow through completely like you were driving. This gives your ball enough momentum to get closer to the cup and control your shot as well. Mechanics like I said are about 40% of your success at best.I've been known to be wrong before,You'll have to judge this one yourself on how much mechanics will play into your game.

Now,when you're practicing remember to practice hitting the ball not just aiming for the cup.How you hit the ball is more important than anything else,that way you'll have more control over your ball speed as well.The pros can talk all they want about club head speed and mathematical calculations,but how you control your club when hitting your ball for maximum success is more important.I do subscribe to the theory of good mechanics not perfect mechanics and learning from a club pro as well. Read the golf journals such as Golf Digest for putting tips and books by the pros.This will give you the knowledge you need to apply it to your whole game,putting,chipping and yes driving.

But practice guys and keep on practicing and remember keep the time on the driving range to a minimum but do it regularly. The putting is more important.So on a percentage basis putting and chipping should be practiced anywhere from 60 to 70 percent of your game. You may think I'm full of it in this article,but I thinks the basics are more important than being perfect. Tiger will tell you that too.

Mark Grove   Invisible Detect
            

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