Tip From the Archives
Putt with Rhythm
Problem
When you practice a stroke before putting the ball, it seems ideal. However, when you actually play the ball, you cannot repeat it and putt poorly.
Cure
Try to create a more pendulum like stroke for a more predictable, consistent rhythm.
Therapy
You have probably heard of players pacing their longer swings by saying 1, 2, 3 top and then 1, 2, 3 down. This same technique can help you gain more control over the lengths of your putts. Swing your putter without a ball by working on just gaining a feel for the putter moving like a pendulum. Make sure you do this in the normal swing length you use while putting. Get a feel for the timing that you naturally achieve while doing this. Assign numbers to the stroke in a way that works for your swing. 1, 2, contact might work. Or perhaps 1, as you stroke the club back and then 2 being contact, and 3 for your follow through. Work on it until the numbers seem natural for you as you do this. Now putt several balls using this rhythm. While you make practice strokes before using a ball in play, find an appropriate speed and length of your stroke to reach the hole and assign the same number system you created for your putts. This way, when it is time to actually putt the ball, it will be as if you are putting to a predictable beat of music while playing.
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