Take another swing at these favorite drills from your favorite golf teachers. Drills are written from the perspective of a right handed golfer.
Joel Cutlip: "The Putting String"
Use two pencils, duct tape, and 10 foot of string. Tape each end of the string to a pencil and stretch it out to form a tight line. Put the pencils into the ground and elevate the string approximately 6 inches off the putting surface. Place the golf ball under the string and use it to work on your stroke, path, line and speed. The goal is to keep the sweet spot of the putter under the string line during your whole stroke both back swing and follow through. If your string line is set up correctly and you get your speed down you will make a lot of putts and build up your confidence!
Mark Leindecker: "The Black Shadow"
In my opinion in order to make short putts on a consistent basis you need to hit the putt solidly. A major key to solid putting is to keep your head still. To keep your head still you must learn to keep your eyes still. The black shadow is the negative imprint that is left when the ball leaves the putter face. When you keep your head still and focus your eyes on the spot where the ball was when it leaves the putter face, you will see the negative of the golf ball or what I call the black shadow. When you can see the black shadow you will hear the ball go in to the cup!
Natalie Cruse: "Take the Flip Out of the Chip"
Take a pitching wedge in the right hand only and grip down to the chipping ring. Bend the right wrist back to create an angle between the right forearm and the grip of the club. Move the hands from 7 o'clock to 5 o'clock without changing this angle. Try chipping some balls with the right hand only and remember to relax so the club can disturb the grass.
Ted Frick: "Address Verses Impact"
My dad used to say, "If you have no idea where you are going, then how are you going to get there?" Applying this to golf, let's look at where we start, called address, verses the moment of truth in golf, the impact. While standing in front of a mirror with a 7 iron, assume your full swing set up, or address, position. Now, without moving your head, simply lower or tilt your right shoulder down. As you tilt the shoulder down, push your weight onto your left leg and let your hips begin to turn or open towards the target. As your hips begin to turn, move the grip or handle 2 inches forward and you are now in impact position. See and feel the difference? To get from address to impact, make this shift in body position and weight distribution.
Eddie Young: "Building Confidence With the Putter"
Three foot Putts (90%)
Place 20 balls 3 feet away from the cup around the hole. Take your time on each putt, going through your alignment and pre-shot routine. Don't move to the next drill until you make 18 out of 20 (90%).
Six foot Putts (50%)
Place 10 balls in a circle 6 feet around the hole. Take your time on each putt and now your goal is to make 5 out of 10 (50%). Practice the drill with straight putts and breaking putts. Repeating this drill a few times per week will lead to confidence on the golf course.
The 2013 newsletter tips will be a little different from the ones I have written in previous years. The newsletters will still be comprised of tips, drills, stretches, and exercises; however, the 2013 editions will require no driving range practice time. Hopefully, you will be able to take ten minutes out of your busy day to be creative and help your golf game without hitting a ball. Happy New Year to you all!
Ted Frick
Owner/Director of Instruction
Classic Swing Golf School
2005 Carolinas PGA Section Teacher of the Year
TPI Level 1 Certified Golf Fitness Instructor
G.S.E.D., The Golfing Machine
[email protected]