Tip Of The Month

By John Pallot
Director of Instruction

July 2004

What does it take to be a great putter? Feel, aim, mechanics, distance control,green reading, and practice. These are the 6 requirements for great putting. For good reason, I consider myself a great putter. In 1981, I one-putted 18 consecutive holes during a round. I was featured in Golf Digest's Records and Rarities. Only one other golfer had recorded that same feat. There wasn't much thought to it. I just aimed and swung the putter toward the target. My putting prowess was developed through countless hours on the putting green. Putting in the dark, taking lessons, learning how to read greens, a consistent routine, and developing a swing that repeated under pressure.

Here are my keys to consistent great putting:

Grip-palms facing each other. This keeps the club-face square. Use the prayer drill(pictured below). Swing your arms without moving your lower body.
Keep your putter on the target line(within 15 feet). Practice between two clubs(pictured below).
Practice swing looking at the hole. This helps you develop a feel for distance by sensing through your eyes how much arm swing is needed to reach the target.
Green reading-when walking up to the green check contour. Is it sloping back to front or front to back? Look at both sides of the hole to determine the break. In Florida, the ball breaks toward the setting sun. You can also look at the worn edge of the hole. The ball breaks toward the worn edge.
In my playing days I always made 36 putts a day. Feel is so much a part of putting that it must be practiced on a daily or at least a frequent basis. Start your practice holing shorter putts than longer. Make 4 in a row.
Aiming-aim the club-face at your target before setting your body parallel. You may use an intermediate target to aim. Check from behind the putter to insure the club-face is aimed properly. As the sun sinks slowly in the west, remember that's the way the ball breaks.

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