Sunday, November 1, 2009

Golfing Tips for Beginners: 5

By Rhys Jones

'Drive for show, but putt for the dough' is what we've all seen and understood from professional golfers in every tournament and championship either live or on TV.

The champions of golf can drive a ball from here to kingdom-come, but it all comes down to how many strokes it takes to get the ball in the hole. The long accurate drives don't mean anything if you're unable to putt accurately.

Your choice of putter is very important, but using the putter you have consistently, is even more so. I've had the same putter for fifteen years, so I know what it feels like in my hand, I know it's weight and I know how that plays into my putts.

Now putting takes a huge amount of practice. Think about this: we drive the ball roughly eighteen times a game (once per hole), but putt at least twice that amount. So, surely it make sense to practice putting at least twice as much as driving? Therefore, if you just can't get to the practice green that often, you could practice on your carpet at home.

Bear in mind that the ball can not make it to the hole, if it doesn't have enough power behind it to get it in there. So, take the time to get down on your knees and look at the path from your ball to the hole. Does it slope one way or the other? Does it run uphill or downhill?

The stance is: stand with your feet spread for balance and line up the putt. Keep you hands, arms and shoulders completely still. Imagine that you are a "bobble head" and that you move from just below the chest. Keep your head directly over the ball; pull your club back; keep your hands, wrists, arms and shoulders steady - the movement comes from your chest; hit the ball, following through with your club.

Try to learn from each putt and remember the lesson. Practice, practice, practice!

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