By Dave Nimmo
Now that your golf practice sessions have equipped you for any on-course pressure, it's time to check your on-course training and decision making. Your practice and preparation or routine is your manual for success in golf consistency. Watch the exceptional golfers on the course. Their preparation routines often become a ritual and can take on a personality of their own. Keep in mind we all have our own individual little movements and no one golf routine works for everyone.
One of the first steps you want to undertake is reading the green to analyze and estimate how the ball will break and how any changes in elevation will affect the speed of your golf putt.
Start by getting the big picture and approach and read the green. Every green will have a predominant tilt; Look for the high side of the entire green versus the low side. Assess the green and feel for any hills or slopes.
As you stand behind your golf ball, compare the left side of the putting line with the right side. This will help you see the lay of the green. Also look at the cut of the cup. There may be a slight tilt with one side higher than the other, which will provide a clue in the amount of the slope and where the ball will began slowing down, with gravity affecting it more and more. This is why the break of the ball generally increases as it approaches the end of its rolling. Always expect the slope of the green to curve the ball more toward the end of the putt than at the beginning.
For example, you might have a putt that breaks in two directions; left to right for the first half and right to left for the second half. Although the ripple may look the same to you, you may want to aim the ball slightly more to the right because that is the way the green falls through the second half. As you read the green for side-to-side breaks, you will also want to have a feel for uphill versus downhill. This is why getting the big picture and looking at the whole green is helpful.
Once you have read your putt to make a guess as to the direction it will break, you want to select a spot at which to aim. You must disregard the actual cup and aim for this spot.
If the green is higher on the right side of the cup, choose a spot to the right of the actual cup. If the left side is higher, choose a spot to the left of the cup. The more dramatic the slope, the more you should favor the higher side.
Now if you have a downhill golf putt, which will increase the speed at which the ball rolls, you'll want to aim for a spot that is short of the cup. If you have an uphill golf putt, you should aim for a spot past the cup. This system helps your eyes to trick your body into adjusting for the slope of the green.
To become a consistent golfer on the course, your routine should be practically the same with every golf putt, not only in what you do, but in the order and the tempo in which you do it. Remember: practice, practice, and more practice brings about consistency and great golfing.
Your golf game deserves the finest quality golf practice mats available. UltiMat Pro is a realistic hitting surface with no wrist or club shock and no club burn. Extraordinarily durable, convenient and lightweight. Get your UltiMat Pro Golf Practice Mat and start improving your golf game today!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Nimmo http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Consistent-Golf-Putter---Part-II&id=1482703
Showing posts with label short game. Show all posts
Showing posts with label short game. Show all posts
The Consistent Golf Putter - Part I
By Dave Nimmo
To become a consistent golf putter you must do two things. (1) Control distance and (2) Make a three-footer.
Once you feel that your golf stroke is fundamentally solid, most of your practice time should focus on distance control and securing the "feel". You can be taught golf fundamentals, but your level of feel will fall upon your shoulders. You need practice and more practice on the greens.
To get a general feel for the speed of the greens, hit several medium to longer golf putts. Move around the green so you are stroking different golf putts, uphill, downhill, left to right and right to left. Continue moving around the green until you have been relatively successful at putting the ball close to the hold. If you do not reach this point, then keep going. The more golf putts you roll, the more feedback you have.
Next, consistent putting requires a rhythm that is continuous throughout, much like that of a clock's pendulum. To maintain a consistent rhythm, use the same grip force throughout your golf stroke. Take time and practice this.
If your golf putts are coming up somewhat short of your target, you should first ensure that your golf stroke is the same length forward as it was back. If you incorrectly cut short your forward stroke, the ball will often end up short of the target.
You can use the three tee drill to check this. Place three tees in the ground in a line, so that the outside tees are of equal distance from the center tee. The ball should be placed in line with the center tee. Stroke your golf putt so that your putter head moves even with the back tee, then through to the forward tee. At this point, check to see that the back of your left hand has gone to the target and that you have maintained your wrist angles.
The second fundamental to check if your golf putts are continually coming up short is the length of your stroke. If your back stroke is too short, it will be difficult to get the ball to the hole, no matter what type of forward stroke you make. Increase the length of your backstroke and therefore your forward stroke as well.
Putts Continually Long of Your Target:
If your golf putts are continually rolling past the hole, check the following essentials. A backstroke that is too large would generate too much power and most often produce a putt that rolls too fast. Shorten the length of the backstroke and your forward stroke will produce less energy and not roll the ball as far.
Hitting your golf putts rather than stroking your golf putts will habitually roll the ball too far. Your rhythm and grip force should remain consistent throughout your stroke. If you force your forward stroke, which is frequently accompanied by an enhanced grip pressure, the ball will often roll too far.
Focus on keeping your rhythm even. Take notice when you start to stroke your putts rather than hit them that the sound coming off the putter face is different and not quite as loud. Focus on keeping your grip pressure even, rather than ever grabbing or pulling the putter.
Final Tip: Place your hands lower on your putter grip. Place your hands lower and you'll make the putter shorter which shortens the lever and therefore will produce less drive.
Your golf game deserves the finest quality golf practice mats available. UltiMat Pro is a realistic hitting surface with no wrist or club shock and no club burn. Extraordinarily durable, convenient and lightweight. Get your UltiMat Pro Golf Practice Mat and start improving your golf game today.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Nimmo
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Consistent-Golf-Putter---Part-I&id=1479791
To become a consistent golf putter you must do two things. (1) Control distance and (2) Make a three-footer.
Once you feel that your golf stroke is fundamentally solid, most of your practice time should focus on distance control and securing the "feel". You can be taught golf fundamentals, but your level of feel will fall upon your shoulders. You need practice and more practice on the greens.
To get a general feel for the speed of the greens, hit several medium to longer golf putts. Move around the green so you are stroking different golf putts, uphill, downhill, left to right and right to left. Continue moving around the green until you have been relatively successful at putting the ball close to the hold. If you do not reach this point, then keep going. The more golf putts you roll, the more feedback you have.
Next, consistent putting requires a rhythm that is continuous throughout, much like that of a clock's pendulum. To maintain a consistent rhythm, use the same grip force throughout your golf stroke. Take time and practice this.
If your golf putts are coming up somewhat short of your target, you should first ensure that your golf stroke is the same length forward as it was back. If you incorrectly cut short your forward stroke, the ball will often end up short of the target.
You can use the three tee drill to check this. Place three tees in the ground in a line, so that the outside tees are of equal distance from the center tee. The ball should be placed in line with the center tee. Stroke your golf putt so that your putter head moves even with the back tee, then through to the forward tee. At this point, check to see that the back of your left hand has gone to the target and that you have maintained your wrist angles.
The second fundamental to check if your golf putts are continually coming up short is the length of your stroke. If your back stroke is too short, it will be difficult to get the ball to the hole, no matter what type of forward stroke you make. Increase the length of your backstroke and therefore your forward stroke as well.
Putts Continually Long of Your Target:
If your golf putts are continually rolling past the hole, check the following essentials. A backstroke that is too large would generate too much power and most often produce a putt that rolls too fast. Shorten the length of the backstroke and your forward stroke will produce less energy and not roll the ball as far.
Hitting your golf putts rather than stroking your golf putts will habitually roll the ball too far. Your rhythm and grip force should remain consistent throughout your stroke. If you force your forward stroke, which is frequently accompanied by an enhanced grip pressure, the ball will often roll too far.
Focus on keeping your rhythm even. Take notice when you start to stroke your putts rather than hit them that the sound coming off the putter face is different and not quite as loud. Focus on keeping your grip pressure even, rather than ever grabbing or pulling the putter.
Final Tip: Place your hands lower on your putter grip. Place your hands lower and you'll make the putter shorter which shortens the lever and therefore will produce less drive.
Your golf game deserves the finest quality golf practice mats available. UltiMat Pro is a realistic hitting surface with no wrist or club shock and no club burn. Extraordinarily durable, convenient and lightweight. Get your UltiMat Pro Golf Practice Mat and start improving your golf game today.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Nimmo
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Consistent-Golf-Putter---Part-I&id=1479791
Golf Short Game Tips to Help You Reduce Your Handicap Fast
By Marla Paulsone
If you are just learning how to play golf then you must first understand the critical importance of the short game and how it can help you learn and improve at the game very quickly. Most amateurs spend way too much time hitting their long irons and driver and not nearly enough working on putting, chipping and wedge play. Here are some tips regarding the various aspects of the short game that can help you to shoot lower golf scores quickly:
Putting Tips:
Putting can really make a big difference in lowering your golf scores and making the game more enjoyable. There are many putting styles that you will see even the professional golfers using so the key is to pick one style you like and stick with it making only minor adjustments here and there to improve it. Do not get caught up constantly changing your entire putting technique just because you did not make a few easy putts the last round.
One of the biggest keys to succeeding in putting and never getting the putting yips is to realize that putting is very much a mental game. Confidence is a critical factor and you need to always believe that the putt will go in the hole every time you hit the golf ball with your putter. Do not aim for a 3 foot circle with long putts because this will only increase your margin for error. Always focus on making every putt.
What you think about before you hit each putt is the most important element to consistently good putting. It may be best to simply keep your mind quiet and just look and react to your targets trusting that your mind and body will send the ball the right distance and direction.
Chipping And Sand Shot Tips:
You should always spend some time during each practice session hitting chips and sand shots around the green. Look for the worst possible lies and hit from them because then hitting from the fairway on the course will seem easy by comparison. When hitting chip shots you want the ball to be back in the stance aligned with your right foot and you want to use an open stance where your feet point to the left of the target.
With sand shots you want the ball a little further up in your stance still using an open stance and you should aim to hit a spot a few inches behind the ball so you can use a cushion of sand to lift the ball out of the bunker. Be sure to accelerate on the downswing otherwise you risk hitting it fat.
Wedge Play Tips:
Do not underestimate the importance of good wedge play as it can setup easy birdie opportunities for you on the course. Hit many wedge shots from various distances from 40 to 135 yards. The key to developing feel is simply practice so there are no shortcuts here. You should hit at least half of your practice balls with the wedge. Remember that the full swing is simply an extension of the shorter ones so if you can hit the wedge well then you will be a much better striker with your longer clubs like the driver. Follow some of these short game tips to help you play better golf.
Marla is an author and webmaster. Visit us and discover useful golf tips and be sure to read our How to Break 80 Golf System Review to help you become a better player fast.
If you suffer with slicing the golf ball too much then read our The Dave Way Golf Book Review to help you get rid of that golf slice permanently.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marla_Paulsone
http://EzineArticles.com/?Golf-Short-Game-Tips-to-Help-You-Reduce-Your-Handicap-Fast&id=1343314
EzineArticles.com
If you are just learning how to play golf then you must first understand the critical importance of the short game and how it can help you learn and improve at the game very quickly. Most amateurs spend way too much time hitting their long irons and driver and not nearly enough working on putting, chipping and wedge play. Here are some tips regarding the various aspects of the short game that can help you to shoot lower golf scores quickly:
Putting Tips:
Putting can really make a big difference in lowering your golf scores and making the game more enjoyable. There are many putting styles that you will see even the professional golfers using so the key is to pick one style you like and stick with it making only minor adjustments here and there to improve it. Do not get caught up constantly changing your entire putting technique just because you did not make a few easy putts the last round.
One of the biggest keys to succeeding in putting and never getting the putting yips is to realize that putting is very much a mental game. Confidence is a critical factor and you need to always believe that the putt will go in the hole every time you hit the golf ball with your putter. Do not aim for a 3 foot circle with long putts because this will only increase your margin for error. Always focus on making every putt.
What you think about before you hit each putt is the most important element to consistently good putting. It may be best to simply keep your mind quiet and just look and react to your targets trusting that your mind and body will send the ball the right distance and direction.
Chipping And Sand Shot Tips:
You should always spend some time during each practice session hitting chips and sand shots around the green. Look for the worst possible lies and hit from them because then hitting from the fairway on the course will seem easy by comparison. When hitting chip shots you want the ball to be back in the stance aligned with your right foot and you want to use an open stance where your feet point to the left of the target.
With sand shots you want the ball a little further up in your stance still using an open stance and you should aim to hit a spot a few inches behind the ball so you can use a cushion of sand to lift the ball out of the bunker. Be sure to accelerate on the downswing otherwise you risk hitting it fat.
Wedge Play Tips:
Do not underestimate the importance of good wedge play as it can setup easy birdie opportunities for you on the course. Hit many wedge shots from various distances from 40 to 135 yards. The key to developing feel is simply practice so there are no shortcuts here. You should hit at least half of your practice balls with the wedge. Remember that the full swing is simply an extension of the shorter ones so if you can hit the wedge well then you will be a much better striker with your longer clubs like the driver. Follow some of these short game tips to help you play better golf.
Marla is an author and webmaster. Visit us and discover useful golf tips and be sure to read our How to Break 80 Golf System Review to help you become a better player fast.
If you suffer with slicing the golf ball too much then read our The Dave Way Golf Book Review to help you get rid of that golf slice permanently.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marla_Paulsone
http://EzineArticles.com/?Golf-Short-Game-Tips-to-Help-You-Reduce-Your-Handicap-Fast&id=1343314
EzineArticles.com
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