Rumor has it that there must be some amazing putting secrets that most amateurs do not know and that is why they continue to three putt. Wrong! The answer is very simple. Most amateurs can not get the distance correct for the putt they are trying to attempt.
It is understandable why many players will three-putt on one of the first couple of holes. If you think about it, most players are trying to rush to the golf course form work. They are lucky to hit a few balls on the driving range before they play and do not give a second thought to making a trip to the putting green. In turn, they have no idea how fast the breaking putt they are facing on #1 is going to be and wham, a three-putt.
This is real information. How many putts have you yourself hit six feet short or past the hole? How about six feet to the right or left of the hole? I would be willing to bet that the most of your .mistakes are short or past the hole as opposed to right or left of the hole. If this picture looks like you then we need to work on your speed on the greens which is better known as touch.
First, you will need to be able to read the green and determine uphill from downhill. Many times it is helpful to simply look towards the front of the green to decide if you are going uphill or downhill as many greens are tilted back to front. In addition, you will be looking for drainage patterns. What I mean by that is if you are not sure if you are uphill or downhill, ask yourself this simple question. If I were to drop a bucket of water out right here, where would it go? The answer should tell you which direction is downhill.
Second, even if you play the same course all of the time, you need to spend some time prior to your round hitting a few putts on the putting green. To work on your speed do not use the hole. Simply putt four or five balls to the collar of the green from ten, twenty, thirty and forty feet and you are done! Yes that is all it will take to begin your improvement.
Third, visualize the collar of the green about a foot and a half (18 inches) behind the hole once you are on the golf course. Focus on stroking your putt so the ball travels to this target in your head a foot and a half past the hole. You will be amazed at how many balls will go in and better yet if you do miss your next putt will be an easy tap in!
To make sure that we have cleared the air with everyone, "There are no putting secrets." However, following these three easy putting tips and you will at worst have a second putt that is a tap in and your scores will become lower in a hurry.
