This season my Tee Times column is going to focus on shotting better scores by improving your game from 150 yards and in. 

Putting is the area of the game that the average player has the best opportunity to be as good at as the elite player.  Putting doesn’t take world class speed, great athleticism, or the skill set it takes to hit a 300-yard drive. 

Great putting requires the player to be able to start the ball on the intended line, stroke the ball at the correct speed, and the ability to see the slope of the green.

Direction

Just like the full swing, returning the club face to impact to get the ball started online begins with the grip.  In the putting stroke the hands need to be in a position where they are balanced and can consistently return the face back to impact.  

The alignment of the clubface, shoulders and eyes are critical in starting the ball on the right line.  While aiming the clubface is fairly obvious, the alignment of the shoulders and eyes are critical in the direction of the path of the stroke.  The path will follow the alignment of the shoulders and the eyes.  Where the feet and lower body is aligned has very little influence on the direction of the stroke.

Distance Control

The length and the pace of the stroke controls the distance the putt travels.  The players with the best speed control have very consistent stroke length.  The length of the back swing and the follow through match each other.  If the backswing of the stroke is 10 inches the putter swings through 10 inches after impact.  If the backswing 18 inches, the forward swing would also be 18 inches and so on. 

The tempo and rhythm of the stroke is the other important factor.  The best putters have strokes in which the timing of the back swing and the time it takes to get back to impact match.  This rhythm stays the same regardless of the length of the stroke.

Green Reading

Green reading is simply determining how gravity is going to impact the role of the golf ball.  Is the putt uphill or downhill?  Is the gravity going to move the ball to the left or to the right?

To determine slope the golfer should visually look at the overall slope and contours of the green.  Where is the high point and where are the low points.  If you can visualize how water would move on the green, that is also the way the golf ball will go.

The best way to determine slope is by walking along the line of the putt and around the green and hole.  Having the awareness of walking uphill, downhill, right and left contour is much more reliable than what we see with our eyes.

Improve getting the ball started on the correct line and at the correct speed will increase the number of made putts and minimize three putts!