Ten Pointers for Consistent Putting

Golf Tip
John Nelson-Director of Instruction, Country Club of Coral Springs

• Have a positive frame of mind:  Say to yourself, “I am a great putter,” I can make this putt.”  Bad thoughts lead to bad putts.  Be positive!


• Before your round spend ample time on the practice green and get adjusted to your speed:  Good putters take the time to warm up and judge the speed of the greens. The speed is a critical factor for consistent putting.  You need to adjust the pace of your stroke to the speed of the greens.


• Preshot routine is a must-D S D: Distance, speed and direction must be calculated before every putt, and in that order.


• Putts inside five feet-the line is supreme: Most putts inside five feet are highly unlikely to break more than a few inches, therefore be a little firmer and never give the hole away when aligning your putt.


• Putts outside twenty feet-let the ball fall into the hole:  Statistics show that only 25% of putts outside twenty feet go into the hole.  It is more important to two-putt from these distances than to three-putt. If a long putt goes in, it is a bonus.


• Be relaxed and let the arms hang freely under the shoulders:  A relaxed and tension-free set up will allow you to make a smooth stroke.  A tight and quick stroke deals a deathblow to good putting.


• When putting with a pendulum motion, use your hands, arms and shoulders:  Move your hands, arms, and shoulders in a smooth, even-pace, one-piece motion throughout the stroke.


• Keep the body still: the body needs to stay still during the stroke, especially on short putts.  You can use a little leg motion of putts longer than sixty feet.  Practice not watching the ball fall into the hole.  Instead, listen for the sound of the ball dropping into the hole.


• Once you’re over the putt, just react and trust your stroke:  Putt naturally, not mechanically.  When you are over the putt, try to shut down your mind and let your natural instincts take over.


• Half of your practice time should be dedicated to putting:  Putting represents more than half the game, so spend fifty percent of your practice time working on improving it.

Golf tip written by John Nelson, Director of Instruction, Golf Academy at the Country Club of Coral Springs. 

For more information,call 954-752-4500 ext. 204, cell number 954-675-8826, or email at jnelson@ccofcs.com. Visit us Online at www.ccofcs.com/golf-academy.htm.

When its Breezy - Swing Easy

Golf Tip
John Nelson-Director of Instruction, Country Club of Coral Springs

Its perfect weather in South Florida now, but the winds have a tendency to blow pretty strong during the winter months, so I like to remind all that when “it’s breezy, swing easy”.  Yes, the better your tempo and slower you swing, the better the ball flies through the wind.  Reason, less spin on the ball produces a straighter and bore-through type ball flight. 

Or, use the knock down shot that is very effective in windy conditions. How to hit a knock down shot;

• Tempo of your swing should be slow and smooth.  Too many players think they must hit the ball hard into the wind…..not true
• Select the proper club, based on the wind conditions.  You need to get and idea how hard the wind is blowing.  A general rule of thumb is for every 10mph wind use one extra club.
• Position the ball in the middle of the stance, choke down slightly and use a smooth three-quarter swing with a good shoulder rotation on the back swing.
• At the completion of the balanced swing, the hands should finish on a flatter plane and just below your shoulders.  This finish forces your follow-through to be low, your arms will have good extension thus creating a low boring ball flight that effective in windy conditions.

If you take time to practice this important shot, your game will improve when conditions are windy.  Remember, when “ it’s breezy swing easy”.

Golf tip written by John Nelson, Director of Instruction, Golf Academy at the Country Club of Coral Springs. 

For more information,call 954-752-4500 ext. 204, cell number 954-675-8826, or email at jnelson@ccofcs.com. Visit us Online at www.ccofcs.com/golf-academy.htm.