Cover_Jan 05 (Page 2) - The Parklander Magazine

Putting Deserves Your
Undivided Attention
By Mike Richards
Putting is often the most overlooked
part of the game, yet it is the
most important. During my lessons I
always ask the student, “Do you feel
that you are a good putter” At least 75
percent of the students do not have any
confidence in their str oke or ability to
read the greens.
First, let’s understand some key factors in putting. I like
to teach three absolutes.
No. 1: The eyes are directly over the ball to slightly inside,
never on the outside.
No. 2: The ball position must be in line with your sternum.
It can be placed forward in your stance; just make sure the sternum
is over the ball.
No. 3: Your stroke should be a one lever or one pendulum
stroke. To get consistent speed control stop letting the wrist flip
during the strike of the ball.
During a lesson I use a training aid called “the putting arc,”
which shows the proper arc to the stroke. Many people believe
that the arc is straight back and straight through. I believe that
the putting motion has an arc and it is slightly back to the inside,
then squares at impact and then goes slightly back to the inside
after impact. But, on this arc the putter does and must stay
square. The face of the putter should not intentionally rotate.
“The putting arc” will help you understand this and can be
used at home, office or on the putting green.
Once you have the stroke, ask yourself three questions
about your putt.
No. 1: Is my putt uphill, downhill, flat or a combination
No. 2: If the green were flooded where would the water
drain off
No. 3: What direction is the grain growing
Here are five factors in reading the grain — and I would
not just rely on one.
No. 1: How does the water drain from the green
No. 2: Grain grows towards the setting sun.
No. 3: Grain grows toward an area of water.
No. 4: Look for light versus dark grass on the green. Light
down grain, dark into the grain.
No. 5: Look at the cup. You may see a side of the cup that
is pulling away from the edge or is brown in color. The grain is
growing towards the ugly side of the cup.
After all of this, it comes down to confidence. Start your
practice session with three balls from three feet. This putt is the
money putt. I would suggest putting around the cup in a circle,
making at least 12 putts before moving to a further distance.
The tour players make 95 percent of these putts. I believe
everyone who plays should be able to do the same. When you
can do this, it will take a great deal of pressure off your entire
game. If you happen to miss the green and can chip within that
three-foot zone, you will have the confidence to make that
par-saving putt. P ●
Mike Richards is an ESPN Top 25 Instructor and did director of instruction
at TPC in Heron Bay. E-mail him at richards@theparklander.com.
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