Here is one of those etips again... if you are rushed, don't
have much time to read, etc.. please put this etip down (close,
etc..) and come back to it when you have time / a VERY open
mind...... This is one of those etips that will be "so
important" to your game, it could/will actually shock you with the
rapid improvement/lowering of your handicap.
THE 3 Ps OF
PUTTING
Simply stated, it is
"Practicing your Putting with
a Purpose"
Folks, it is actually pretty simple and painless, you just have
to DO IT RIGHT!!!
Now, before you think to yourself,
"Yeah, I know, Tim always says how important putting is, but I really
need to work on my full swing first", please read the following
stats and "studies" that have been conducted and then I will explain
how you can literally improve your game
overnight...
First - You must
first realize the importance of putting. 43% of scoring occurs
on the putting green for the average player (male shooting 97,
female shooting 107). As the scoring increases, so does the %
of putts. For a scratch golfer, the percentage lowers to about
40%, but no lower.
The statistics are as
follows:
30 handicap golfer (aver
100): 45 putts per round
20 handicap golfer (aver
90): 40 putts per
round
10 handicap golfer (aver
80): 35 putts per
round
Scratch golfer (aver
70): 30
putts per round
Professional
golfer:
28 putts per round
Second - You would think "that only makes
sense" as the 30 handicap golfer will hit it further from the hole
than the 20 handicap golfer, thus have more putts.... but you would
be wrong. If you think of the way golf is played and the way
putting stats are kept (just add up how many putts you have once the
ball is on the green) - the 20 handicap golfer actually will hit
more greens in regulation than the 30 handicap golfer (he/she
will be chipping from the side of the green, etc..). Meaning,
if you take the average distance to the hole once the player hits
the green, typically the 20 handicap golfer will be further than the
30 handicap golfer... in theory if both had equivalent mid/short
games - but here lies the problem.
Third - There are only 3 areas that matter in
putting (or any part of the golf swing) - Path,
Face Angle, and Speed. Putting is affected by these
3 areas and only these 3 areas. Meaning, everything you work
on in putting (for example the grip, set up, etc..) affects either
path, face angle and/or speed. The better your path, the
better your putting, the better your face angle at impact, the
better your putting, the better your speed, the better your
putting.
Fourth - READ THIS VERY CAREFULLY:
Studies have shown that of 10 golfers who practice
their putting, 5 will get no better, 4 will actually get worse,
ONLY 1 will improve after practice. Please
read this again - of those who practice their putting, 10% will
improve after the practice, 50% will not, and 40% will ACTUALLY MAKE
THEMSELVES WORSE. (This study was performed numerous times
testing golfer's putting prior to their practice session and
after.) As is said in Peoplewise Putting, "Golfers
can add, subtract, multiply and divide, and they DON'T like these
odds." I don't know about you, but if I have a 90%
chance of not improving when I practice, "I ain't practicing" (as
they say in Oklahoma...)
Okay - now that everyone is on a "downer" about their putting
practice, we're here to fix that.
Over the years of playing with some of the best players in the
world (including Moe, Tiger and many others), competing against many
of these players, studying numerous techniques of the short game,
etc... etc.. the Graves Golf Academy (myself in particular)
created/perfected a method to improve your putting. Are these
"our techniques" - I would have to say no, they are techniques we
have brought to you from what we have learned from the best in the
world - but we have set a system to help you GUARANTEED - if you
follow the GGA system.
Many have/had asked me how I practice my putting - I have used
this system since the early 90s when I started competing on mini
tours and other professional PGA/Nationwide Events as I saw so many
other professionals using the same method.
GGA SYSTEM - How to Practice Your Putting
with a Purpose EVERYTIME you practice.
(In other words, every time you practice, you will one of the
10% who improves!!)
You can see the system (pictures and description) on
our website at Online Instruction,
Putting System.
It is and EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT system is you use
it correctly. Meaning with minimal practice you can become a
MUCH better putter and improve your handicap DRAMATICALLY!
This system creates a Check System for you every time you practice
and gives you a system that you can take to the golf course.
Please refer to the pictures on Putting System:
Pic. #1 - Recommended for the system. Stakes/string,
Eyeline and a "Line 'Em Up" Marking Tool
Pic. #2 - Set the string in the green from the hole backwards.
Set straight to the middle of the hole if a straight putt, if there
is break, set accordingly (for example, one cup break, set one cup
to the appropriate side of the hole). If you have difficultly
reading break, the string HELPS YOU see the break.
Pic #3 - Place a ball under the string (middle of ball under
the string). Square your putter face to the string and
putt. You will IMMEDIATELY see if your putter face is square
to the string/target or not. If not, ADJUST immediately.
NEVER putt with a putter face that is not set square to the
target.
Pic #4 - The ball should start down the middle of the string
and remain down the string for a length of time (depending on
severity of break). No break - "ride" the string into the
middle of the hole. Minimal break - "ride" the string for a
long time until breaks off close to the hole, A lot of break,
"rides" string for a few feet and then breaks off toward the
hole. This is how you can compare the break to what you read
and more importantly determine if you are STARTING your ball on the
line your intended. Most average golfers DO NOT!!! In
other words, most golfers will set up to a ball, putter face will be
either open or closed and then they will either pull or push off
their line.... good luck putting consistently....... and to
top that off, this type of putting will create side spin on the putt
- NOT GOOD!! You want OVERSPIN only on the ball - NO side
spin. Putting down the string will help you 1. Square
your putter face, 2. Hit the line your intended,
3. Minimize side spin on the ball - ultimately creating
CONSISTENCY!!
Pic #5 - Place the "Eye Line" under the string. Line up
the black line in the middle of the Eye Line with the string.
Pic #6 - As you see the "Eye Line" is a VERY EFFECTIVE tool and
one I added this year. Reasons - 1. It enhances the view
of a square putter face at set up but numerous lines on the Eye
Line. 2. It enhances the view of the center of the
putter (sweet spot) when setting up over the ball.
3. It shows you if you are making a good path or not with the
putter but the lines on the EYE LINE.
Pic. #7 - The putter should NEVER go outside the upper read
line and should track down the center black line or inside. It
should NEVER go outside. This is VERY EASY to see with the EYE
LINE.
MOST IMPORTANT and why I now recommend the EYE LINE. As
you look down, you should see your eyes over the black line.
Your black line will line up with the middle of your eyes - hence
the "EYE LINE".
Folks - this is the one area I see SO MANY golfers
including our alumni break down on.... They do not get their
eyes over the putt line which causes 2 LARGE problems - 1.
Your putter will only be square for long - meaning, there is only a
minimal range of the putter face being square at through
impact - the putter will arc too fast if your eyes are not over
the ball, 2. You will not be reading the same line when
you set up over the ball as you read behind the ball. You will
be "seeing" the line inside the ball - NOT the one you are putting
on - or the only one that matters. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR EYES
OVER THE BALL / BALL LINE to be a consistent putter - whether using
a short, belly, long or side saddle putter.
Pic. #8 - Once your eyes are over the ball and your putter face
is square, putt down the line.
Pic. #9 - Remove the string, perform the same drill (Eyes
over ball, face square, etc..) - this time check to make sure your
HEAD (on your body) remains still. You will see it move (even
if minimal) when using the Eye Line - your eyes/head should stay
still. If not, your putting will be extremely
inconsistent. KEEP YOUR HEAD STILL for consistent putting -
Eye Line will show if you do or not.
NOW, HOW DO WE TAKE THIS PRACTICE TO THE GOLF
COURSE??
Pic #10 - #11 - Take the "Line 'Em Up" Putting Tool
(comes with a Sharpie) and draw a T on your golf ball(s).
(Reason for drawing tool... if you can't draw a square T, don't draw
one at all...)
Pic #12 - You will now have a straight T on your golf
ball. (It is a legal mark that can be used during all play -
many professionals use this mark.)
Pic #13 - Place the ball on the green, with the T pointed to
your target (as you did with the string). Square your face to
the T. In other words, the top of the T will square the blade
of your putter to the target, the line on the T (lower part) will
act as your string - show you the path and target line.
Pic #14 - Putt the ball toward the hole - (Eyes over the ball,
etc..) If putted with a good stroke, you will see the T rolling end
over end.
Pic #15 - The T will actually roll end over end into the hole
(when hit with a square putter face on the correct line with good
path). All these are created with the string and Eye Line and
taken to the golf course with the use of the T.
Here's the deal..... If you only use part of this system
- DON'T USE AT ALL!!!
The T will not be effective if you don't work with the
string.
The string will not be effective if you don't have a good path
(eyes over the ball, etc..)
The Eye Line will not be effective to help you take your
improved putting to the course unless you use the T.
This is a SYSTEM that works - I
GUARANTEE IT!!! This is how you (and most professionals)
improve your putting. The system is not hard - in fact, it is
very simple and doesn't take that much time. Every minute you
practice using this system will improve your putting... which
in turn will improve your scoring and decrease your handicap -
SIGNIFICANTLY!!
I have worked with the string /
T myself and with my schools for years and seen DRAMATIC
improvement. But, it always bothered me that the issue of the
putter face remaining square through impact and the golfer seeing
his/her line when they got over the ball was still a problem.
That is why we introduced a very simple but VERY effective tool -
the EYE LINE.
Everyone - no matter where you game
is now - you need to improve your putting. You need to create
more consistency in your putting. It is absolutely the faster
way to lowering your scoring.
FYI - if you would like all or parts
(alumni who already have our string - we give to all school
participants) of the GGA system - you can now see it HERE.
Remember the 3 Ps of Putting - Always
Practice Your Putting with a
Purpose
Remember - Always Practice with a Purpose.
Good
Luck!!
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