Golf improvement - now putting

Reading the greens will make it easier for you during the game because you will know how your ball will react to the contours of the green. You may adjust your shots to fit the greens.


To read the greens you will need to squat down for you to get a better view of the contours. With your ball in front of you a ways, squat down so you will be able to see the slopes of the green.

Look closely at your putt from the side, if there is a low side, look at your putt from the low side. It will give you another view, which will enable you to judge the distance and gauge the speed of the ball.

Cross to the opposite side of the flagpole from your putt because this will give you a view from yet another angle. If players are waiting on you to make your shot, do not hold them up.

Watch the putts of the other players. If one of the players has a putt a lot like yours, especially watch as he or she putts the ball toward the hole.
It never hurts to ask for help unless you are playing for money or defending your ego. Your teammates or partner will be happy to give you advice. Pros often ask advice of their caddies. It never hurts to have a second pair of eyes watching.
If you have already made your putt, pay attention to the details. Watch your ball as it moves; observe how it is moving, and how it reacts to the green. Try to learn from your mistakes. Sometimes our mistakes are our best teacher.

Always practice a few putts on the practice green. This will give you an idea of the playing greens. You will want to note the speed of the greens so you can adjust your shots accordingly.

Does your putting ability seem to leave your body when you are standing behind your ball on the green and the pressure is on? Let’s see what you are missing when you are in a putting situation. Make sure the grip is in your palm and not your fingers. Golfers using their fingers will tend to use their wrist to putt the ball. When you putt this way you won’t have control of your distance. If your putts end up way short of the hole, this could be the problem. If the wrists get involved with your putt shot it will add a little lift to your putter. This will use up some of the distance you ball will go.

Make sure your arms are straight and make your wrists stay out of the shot. You will then be able to put the correct amount of lift to your putter and the ball will roll the distance you need it to go. You should be able to cut your putts per hole down to two putts, assuming the ball goes in the direction you intended. Watch your score drop.

If you are having trouble making distance on your drives, maybe your body is not in alignment when hitting the ball. If you are not in the proper position you will be making a considerable amount of adjustments during your swing. First, position the ball forward, opposite your left heel. Most of your weight (about 60%) should be on your right foot with your shoulders squared up. If your body and your ball are lined up in the proper position, you will end up pop the ball in the air. This causes a loss of power. Keep your spine angle and you will see your drives level out with your ball reaching greater distances.