Tip From the Archives

Roll the Ball

Problem

You want to gain a better feel for the speed of the greens.

Cure

Practice rolling several balls across the green from the same location to test the speed. Move to the fringe and get a feel for long putts from this location.

Therapy

When you just cannot seem to get a good feel for your putting, try rolling the ball across the green. Bend at the hips and allow your trailing arm to hang freely with a ball in your hand. Take your arm back a couple of inches and roll the ball as if your hand was a putter. Release the ball just after your arm is vertical. Continue to move your hand forward another inch forward after you completely release the ball from your grip. Watch to see how far the ball rolls and focus it feels once the ball goes into the cup. Repeat this drill a couple of times from this location and then swing the putter with just this arm to compare the feel. Try it from a few different locations on the green.

  • Currently 3.13/5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

8 votes

 
Bert27 | 4 years ago, at the end of April

I do this sometimes and it works great. Also, closing your eyes when you put on the practice green works as well.

Michael Henry | 4 years ago, at the end of April

I use a modified "Claw grip", closing the eyes heightens the feeling of touch, and the ears can tell you more with the sound of a good contact with the ball. Once set up, I take a deep breath through the nose and as I start to breathe out, commence the stroke smoothly. This banishes all negative thoughts from the sometimes churning brain,when under pressure.



Something to Add?






Notice Please keep your comments relevant to this article: inappropriate or purely promotional comments may be removed. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.