Putting Practice Strokes Beside The Ball? Are They Needed?

Our resident golf expert Mark Harman from the US Golf Teachers Federation, and a hell of a handicap weighs in a little differently on this particular subject. Okay, I was watching an instruction video from the  http://www.golf digest.com  site with a well know expert David Stockton.



He didn't actually contend that practice putt strokes were useless, rather that when you're practice stroking beside the ball, it has nothing to do with the line that your ball is on. In essence not helping you at all.

That was very interesting to me so I asked my expert Mark Harman what he thought of it and here's what he said.

Mark Harman: http://www.usgtf.com      mark@usgtf.com

"Whether to take a practice putting stroke or not is not a one size fits all thing"  Mark Harman

It depends if the player is more of a feel player or a visual player. Feel players would probably find it best to take a practice stroke or two, where as visual players really don't need one because they can see the line more easily--and program their minds better through seeing it through visualization.

Mark Harman: "How to know if someone is a feel or visual Putter"?

If you have trouble visualizing the line of the putt and the roll of the ball prior to putting, you're most likely a feel putter. If you have no trouble with that you're a visual putter.

Mark Grove: I know all this sounds simple to figure out, but it's not. If whether or not you're a visual or feel kind a' puttin' lad was easy, even the top pros would have rounds of 60 on a regular basis. Actually, I was looking at an old GD mag with some putting tips from an icon of golf on just this topic, which I'll go into in
a future article.

If you're looking for help with your game, get in touch with Mark. I truly believe putting coaches can help you if you work at it like a bastard. If you need assistance with the feel versus visual aspect of your game, just email Mark.

mark@usgtf.com

Short Putting Visualization Tip You Can Use To Skyrocket Your Short Putting Prowess

In my last short putting tip interview I talked with Mark Harman well known Pro Golfer and National Director of the US Golf Teachers Federation. We talked about the importance of Visualizing your short putts,and even some short putt simulation tips to get your mental and physical aspect of short putts on track for more success. Mark is also well known as a low handicapper, and a top notch Golfing Consultant. Lets just say he's got incredible Golfing chops and a knowledge of the game that's second to none. In that interview he said if your short game is off, you better work on it big time. But this article delves into how visualizing your putts, and simulating actual putts will help your game as well, if you use these techniques regularly. Visual Short Putting Strategy: By all this, what I mean is, first of all you should be thinking about the path of your putt and where you want it to go, forgetting about your actual technique. Because, if it's a long putt, you may want to stroke it to an advantageous spot where a short stroke to sink it is better than shooting the ball beyond the cup and the green totally. (Visual Tactical Strategy) is important to any sport, especially golf. By thinking critically about your upcoming stroke will help you make a more mechanically sound stroke and follow through the way you want. Hand Rolling Short Putts : You can actually simulate a Putt by hand rolling the ball. Try doing this on a Putting green, because You'd look pretty silly doing it on the course green. This will in effect teach you how much momentum or how hard you should stroke your putts. This actually works guys. As well you should stroke the ball like it's already rolling. You will learn where to hit the ball as well, whether lower or higher. Remember, have a minimalist approach to putting and your short game will improve, not to mention your average round score. for more info on Mark Harman and the US Golf Teachers Federation:go to: http://usgtf.com

Short putting Basics
By MARK GROVE
DATE: 2005-09-30

I keep talking about shooting drills and practice until you can't stand it anymore.This is vital to your short game.Short putting so close you can blow the ball into the cup with your breath.With the oral hygiene of some players the ball should drop right into the cup. You can use a two feet distance as a starting point to move back farther, and will help you stay focused.By starting from a short distance from the cup will help you get a feel for your putting style and speed more than if you attempt long putting. Practice short putts from five feet away at the most for the next two weeks.Then increase the distance from six to ten feet.If you miss some short putts take these shots over again until you get it right.By focusing on the simpler,shorter putts,it will prepare you for the longer distance putts. Vary your location on the green and your distance just slightly but within the range you are striving for.You have to master the two to 6 range, before you start going further back.

Short Putting Session--Duration:

Keep your putting practice short in duration,from 10 to 20 minutes at the most,2 to 3 times a week. By keeping your daily practice regimen short you can concentrate more intently and are more apt to stick with it.If golfers practice one hour or more a day,I find they don't stick with it.

Visualization:

This is one other area I think Golfers should make a part of their practice.By visualizing the path of your putt and where you want it to go you can concentrate on keeping the ball straight throughout the swing,and keep tabs on ball speed and stroke length. Also,you should use a couple pieces of wood just in front of and on each side of the ball so you can see how straight your putts are when your ability to putt well from longer distances improves.
The simplest aspects of your game can be the hardest to master.By dividing your putting into smaller goals such as short,medium, and long range putts you can include The visualization technique I've described as well.

All in good time fellow golfers.

Mark Grove

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