Article #8
Featured Teacher: Lord Berry
To meet this week's teacher, or to purchase a copy of MUNIE ~ The Jitterbug Collection, go to www.bobbysteiner.com
Practicing with the putter can be a painstaking process, especially the manner in which many set out to do it.
Too often golfers simply drop three balls, scout out a hole thirty feet away, and mindlessly roll balls in its general direction. After missing with all three, it's off to another hole only to suffer the same fate.
Mind you, when the golfer has finally proven to himself (or herself) that he's adequately capable of missing, away goes the putter and out comes the driver, thus further widening the gap between one's potential and actual skill with the putter.
Now, I'll admit, this rolling three balls at a far away hole might be a sufficient means of warming up, but it is a lousy way to practice, and for a couple of reasons, which I will outline.
First, it's not at all like golf. Sports psychologists have known for years that practice is most beneficial when one's practice routine closely resembles the task for which one is preparing. This extends not only to the physical execution and patterns of play, but to the fully engaged mindset necessary to play at one's highest level. So, using three balls is not only unlike the real game, but also fails in promoting the "everything counts" attitude so integral to golf.
Long Putts
My suggestion, when practicing long putts, is to use only one ball and treat every hole like a par two. If there are seven holes cut in your practice green, you have the makings of a wonderful, par fourteen practice course. (Already, more like golf, wouldn't you say?)
Assigning par will not only give you a sense of purpose, but will bring to your attention the vital importance of the second putt. After all, nobody lags every long putt close, but the reality of this fades to insignificance when one is committed to making what remains, long or short.
Short Putts
Short putts are different, as they are simply a matter of confidence and commitment.
I believe that when putting short putts, it is best to put a tee in the ground four feet from a hole, drop five balls and start filling the cup. Somewhere down the line, probably no more than 50 putts into your session (that's about five minutes), you'll wonder how in the world you ever missed a four-footer.
Ten minutes of this every time you practice, and your handicap will drop significantly within a month's time. This, I guarantee.
The short of it:
Long putts, use one ball. Short putts, use five balls. Please, don't waste any more time.
Lord Berry