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How To Use Golf Training Aids To Improve Your Putting
Does this sound exciting or
what.....Drive for show, putt for dough. Relax the nerves, trust your
line. Eyes over the ball, smooth take away. Accelerate through the
ball, and...
Klinka tinka tinka -- yes! The sweet sound of a birdie putt, or even
a 6-footer for par, dropping into the cup. What a great feeling! Especially
satisfying if you just finished the 18th for a personal best round.
Or if you've just won 5 skins to make your buddies shell out some
serious money. A hot day with the putter can make you feel like a
million bucks. Actually, in the case of a PGA tour pro, it can earn
you a million bucks.
Too bad that for the average golfer those days seem to come so
infrequently. The average Joe uses up anywhere between 32 and 40
putts per round, while the best pros average around 30. Tour pros
make just under 90% of their putts from 4-5 feet, while average guys
make around 50%. That's a lot of shots to give up! Think about this:
if you are a thirteen handicapper, your average score is around 85,
and you average 36 putts per round, then 42% of your shots are
putts! And what do you spend most of your time doing at the range?
If you’re like most guys (and gals) then you spend most of your time
beating balls with your driver or mid-irons. Yet, according to the
numbers you should be spending almost half of your time on the
putting green.
So how can busy people with little time for golf practice still
improve their putting game without doubling practice time or
drastically reducing the amount of time spent practicing their full
shots? Golf training aids are the answer. Many training aids exist
that can quickly improve your putting stroke and green reading
without spending hours on the putting green. Just 10 to 15 minutes
per practice session is required for most golfers to drop strokes
quickly. Here are some tips for finding right training aids or a
combination of training aids to maximize your results:
1. Look for training aids that allow you to easily see the following
things: square clubface, shoulder alignment, eye placement (over the
ball), foot alignment, and stroke path. Some devices use mirrors,
some use low-power lasers. Most training aids have physical barriers
that keep the putter on the right path during the stroke.
2. For eye alignment you can always do this: line up the putt and
address the ball as if you were going to hit the putt. Then take a
ball from your pocket, put it between your eyes, and allow it to
drop straight down. Wherever the ball lands is where your eyes are
lined up. They should be directly over the target ball.
3. Whatever device(s) you choose, make sure that they are not too
large and/or awkward. My experience is that you don't use the device
unless it is convenient.
4. Follow through is also important, so make sure that the training
aid gives you feedback for the whole stroke. You need to see that
your stroke path is straight and putter face releases properly after
contact, otherwise you will have consistency problems.
5. Use your golf training aids consistently, each and every time you practice.
You definitely need to groove the stroke and you can't do that unless you keep
at it. Also, if possible, use your device at home or at the office
when you have a spare minute. This extra practice time really helps.
I wish you good luck, fine weather and a hot blade!
Improve Your Swing
Looking for better consistency? Need to improve your accuracy?
Desperately want some more yards? Or possibly you just want your
swing to look a little better so your buddies won't tease you
anymore. These are all great reasons for doing some work on your
swing, but what is the best way to go about it?
Improve Your Chipping
The 18th hole is a lengthy par 4 with a tricky elevated green.
You've missed the green to the right on your approach. Your ball
sits about 8 feet off the green in the first cut of rough. The lie
isn't too bad, but it's a tricky shot.
Improve Your
Putting
Drive for show, putt for dough. Relax the nerves, trust your
line. Eyes over the ball, smooth take away. Accelerate through the
ball, and...
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