The Golf Slice

It’s apparently putting week here at the Golf Slice. I talk about it a lot on this blog (probably way too much) but it’s such an important part of the game of golf and people have such a hard time with it that I feel its important to discuss it as much as possible.

I thought I’d toss out a really simple method for lining up a putt. A lot of golfers, beginners or advanced players alike, tend to stand or squat behind their golf ball and try and line their putt up from that position. That’s fine and I do that myself but there’s another method you can try.

The next time you’re ready to line up your putt try walking the line to the cup. Try and do this without stepping in either your ball’s or anyone else’s path though to avoid potentially disrupting their shot. Walk the line of the ball in short intervals and as you go try and examine the slope and condition of the green.

By checking things out in small chunks you’ll actually have a better idea of the big picture of the green conditions and hopefully help you make a smarter putt.

You might want to file this under the “Hardcore Golfer” category but some people like to get down and find out which way the grass on a green is growing before they putt.

The theory, I suppose, is that grass growing towards the hole will make the ball run faster to the cup. Then the opposite would be true for grass growing away from the hole. Your ball will travel slower on its path.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of tips and tricks people suggest and try for putting. I’m not personally sold 100% on this grass direction idea but if you’re struggling with your putter it might be something to check out for yourself.

Just don’t get caught on your hands and knees inspecting grass growth patterns in front of your good friends. That sounds pretty embarrassing.

Here’s a simple tip or suggestion for those of you (and myself included) who sometimes have a little trouble sinking putts. A good way to blow a putt is to take your eyes off the ball. This is a classic symptom of trouble in a lot of sports actually.

When you’re putting don’t quickly raise your head up after contact to see what happens to the golf ball. This is an easy way to pull your body too quickly and make your putt go off your target line. I find myself guilty of this all of the time so this year I’m going to make a serious effort to keep my head down well after I’ve made contact.

Another pitfall people fall into is watching the head of the club while they swing and not the golf ball. If you start to watch the head of your putter during your swing you’re once again opening yourself up to some potential body movements that will take your putt off line.

The best way to avoid these two eye control problems when putting is to work on focusing your eyes on the spot the ball is sitting at all times. Stare a hole through that spot before, during and after the putt and keep your head down. If you continue to work on your eye control and focus you should see better results on the green.

Buying golf clubs is generally a very intimidating experience. There’s so much to choose from and that’s especially true when it comes to putters. You have different lengths, different heads and different grips. It’s a madhouse.

The thing to keep in mind when buying a new putter is to remember you’ll be using it more than any other golf club in your bag. The key to good putting is confidence and consistency so make sure the putter you choose to buy feels like right when use it. I don’t suggest going for the most expensive or the latest putter available. Instead, choose the one you think will give you a consistent putt and makes you the most comfortable.

Remember that a putter is the easiest club to “try before you buy” so doesn’t be afraid to take some practice swings inside the store before making your final decision.

A lot of golfers are using long putters more and more it seems. Personally, I’m just not a big fan of these longer putters but plenty of people would disagree with me.

The argument for using one of these non-traditional putters is that they allow you to create a more natural, pendulum-like stroke when you’re on the green. I’m so used to my current putting style that I’m leery to make a drastic change like switching to a longer putter.

There are basically two types of these long putters. The typical long putter you see are as long as a normal club and the handle comes up to the golfer’s chest. The newer variety of long putter has the handle come up to about your stomach. The stomach, or belly putter, is becoming the more popular option of the two.

If you’re interested in switching to a longer putter you might want to take a trip to your local sporting goods store and try one out. I bet you’ll know right away whether or not it’s the putter for you.

In all honestly, putting from out of a bunker is going to be an absolutely terrible idea 99.99999999% of the time.

Yet under a very specific set of conditions it might be possible and in your best interest to try and putt your golf ball out of the sand instead of using a wedge.

Here’s my list of rules under which putting out of a bunker will be at least justifiable to the rest of your group:

1. The sand in the bunker is packed and hard. I’m talking cement quality sand.
2. The bunker does not have a lip at its edge.
3. Your golf ball does not have to go across a lot of sand to get out. This is pretty obvious but very important. God did not intend you to putt along sand so make sure the distance your golf ball needs to travel is at a minimum.

Putting out of a bunker is the kind of golf shot you take when you’re relaxed and trying to have a little bit of fun. If you’re trying to shoot your record low for a round or something then please reconsider your bunker putt.

The reality about golf is that it’s really a pretty simple game. People like you and I just make it tough by overanalyzing things and worrying about the little stuff while avoiding the obvious.

This is painfully true when it comes to putting.

The key to a good putt is to hit it straight down your target line. Obvious, right? What I really mean by that is to make sure you’re hitting the ball straight at the point of contact. I know your actual line can’t be straight every time because of breaks and whatnot.

Hitting the ball straight while you putt is a simple thing that you might be overlooking when you’re standing on the green. Try and remember the basics and fundamentals and you’ll see your handicap and putts per round go down.

For a lot of people putting is the bane of their existence. With varied terrains and conditions no green is the same in regards to difficulty. There are a few obstacles you can look out for before making your putt that are the same no matter where you are.

Loose leaves and sticks resting in your line are always trouble. These are problems Mother Nature provides to golfers everywhere. It depends on the group you’re playing with but most people don’t care if you take the time to clear a path to your ball.

Uneven grass on the putting green is not only a sign of poor course maintenance. It’s also a sign that your putt is going to probably see a dramatic change in speed as it journeys to the hole. Try and plan your putt accordingly. Footprints from a previous group (or your playing partner) have similar effects on your ball’s travel.

Before you putt make sure you take into account these potential trouble spots on the green.