GOLF--It's Easy To Instantly Improve Your Putting Ability

By: Justin Flowers

On the surface, it appears that putting should be dead easy compared to the rest of your golf game. You're only trying to move the ball a couple of yards in most cases and putting looks like a simple movement. But for many players, putting is the weakest part of their game. Successful putting technique is very demanding in terms of smoothness and precision and can only be achieved with consistent training.

There is really no such thing as one model putting technique. In the final analysis, the perfect putting technique is the one that works for you consistently. Although there are probably endless variations, most players rely on one of these techniques: the Langer grip, the anti-yip grip, or of course, the orthodox grip.

An orthodox putting technique starts with gripping the club with your palms facing each other. Your goal is to have your hands operating as one unit, not independently. Adopt a relaxed posture and be as free from tension as possible. The golf ball should be toward the front of your stance. You absolutely must keep your eyes on the ball. As you putt, your hands' only job is to hold the club. Think of a pendulum influenced only by your shoulders. Visualize a triangle being formed by your arms and shoulders. Maintain that triangle all the way through your swing, from the backswing to the follow-through. You want the ball to roll without leaving the ground, so swing up and through the ball. Hold your follow-through and don't look up too soon, just keep your eyes toward the ground.

Now let's take a look at the anti-yip putting technique. What in the world are the yips? Many golfers suffer from small, uncontrollable muscle twitches-the yips-that can keep you from making a smooth stroke. In the case of putting, it's usually the left wrist that's the source of the problem. An anti-yip putting technique is designed to fight this involuntary movement. To try it, grip your putter with your left hand placed below the right-hand. Place your wrist against the shaft of the club. The anti-yip putting technique has the added benefit of making your left shoulder lower. Again, remember that the motion of your putting stroke comes from your shoulders, not your arms or wrists, so train with this in mind.

Another popular putting technique is known as the Langer grip. This technique was developed by Bernhard Langer. The Langer grip goes even further than the anti-yip putting technique. As with the anti-yip method, begin by gripping the putter with your left hand farther down the shaft than your right. But this time, you actually grasp your left wrist with the fingers of your right hand. Maintain a light grip pressure and relax as much as possible. The Langer putting technique is most successful when you're making the shorter putts.

Here are a few more tips for better putting: make sure that when you begin your eyes are directly over the golf ball. Keep your eye line directly aligned with the target line. Maintain a stable, balanced stance. In your mind's eye, see the putter as an extended part of your forearms. What you're trying to achieve is a stroke, not necessarily a hit. Your putter is swinging and the golf ball just happens to be in the way.

Many players struggle with the problem of looking up too soon. Problem is, when your head moves, your body turns at the same time. Do you consider yourself to be a disciplined golfer? Test yourself with this: the next time you putt, try keeping your head down until you hear the sound of the ball dropping in the hole.

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Justin Flowers writes articles concerning health, sports, and computing. If you require to know more about the fascinating game of golf, please visit his web site www.free-golf-stuff.com that has advice concerning Best Set of Golf Clubs, and much more

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