MERTISS "JAY"
THOMPSON gives you "The Winning
Edge" in putting. His method will help drive
consistency for your game as he demonstrates by
having three balls placed at different distances
on the putting surface to get a “feel”
for distance. (...read more in the Spring 2008
issue.)
THE
FEEL: A method that has served
me well in putting is consistency in my approach
to putting. Have three balls, place a different
distances and practice to get a "feel"
for the distance.
THE GRIP: A fundamental grip is
one where both thumbs are placed on the grip in
alighment with each other. The back of the leading
hand should be facing the intended target. Grip
pressure should be consistent from address until
the stroke is completed.
BALL
& PUTTER POSITION: Your ball
should be positioned in the "sweet spot"
of your putter. The putter should be square at
the address position and maintained throughout
the stroke. Many putts are missed because the
putter is open or closed coming into the ball.
THE
STROKE: A rule of thumb is to
keep the putter moving through the ball. This
applies to all clubs. The swing or stroke is never
complete until the putter or club is allowed to
move completely through the ball with ease.
ON COURSE WITH ROBIN AIKENS, LPGA TEACHING
PRO 6
Steps to becoming a "better" and
"smoother" golfer
STEP
1: Address
your ball on your tee shot. The ball should
be positioned just inside your left foot.
STEP
2: Pull your shaft parallel
to the ground and the toe of the club should
be pointing toward the sky. Your weight should
transfer to your right side. (Do NOT pull
to the inside on this move)
STEP
3: At the top of your backswing,
the club should be (ideally) parallel to the
ground, if you can get it there. Do NOT force
yourself to get into this position.
STEP
4: As your club comes back
down, 80% of your weight should be transferred.
Begin to straighten your left arm (right-handers)
as you continue to swing through. Practice
this key move.
STEP
5: Your club is again parallel
to the ground as you aim to maintain a straight
line of target to hit the ball.
STEP
6: At the finish, hit the
ball and your torso should be facing the target.
LORITZ
"SCOOTER" CLARK,
assistant golf course operations manager with
the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista,
Florida, helps you step-by-step with one of the
most commonly neglected areas of an amateur golfers’
game: posture.
Read his helpful tips to get in the proper position
for a great round of golf.
(...read more in the Winter/Jan. 2007 issue.)
ADDIE
COBB , our talented golf
trainer and a contributing editor, in Valdosta,
Georgia, is hands on with each of her students.
This issue, she helps you practice your putting
with tips for high and low handicappers. Follow
her detailed instruction drills and see how
you can improve your roll and keeping your ball
on line.
Addie's Tip: When putting,
your tempo should be smooth. Do not hit or jab,
but stroke your putts.
(...read more in the Fall 2006 issue.)
