Welcome back to our “How To Putt In Golf” Series. We are now in part 2 and we are going to discuss the putting motion.
Face Opened
Straight Back & Through
Putting Backswing – Swing Path
I know I just touched on the backswing in the last chapter but I have to spend a bit more time on it. I would have to say that this has been the most controversial topic of the short game in the past 25 years.
I don’t think we thought much of it until the video camera came along. The difference between a putter swinging straight back and one that swings back on an arc is a matter of a few inches, difficult to see without video. Of course once we put the camera on it everybody took sides. Arc or straight back? Fortunately for me I have ALWAYS swung the putter straight back. As far back as I can remember I have never believed the stroke had an arc and the face opened and closed.(#27)
The arc seemed very difficult to time and then add the face opening and closing, I knew there were other parts of the game I would spend my time trying to improve on, this was not one I was going to give time towards. Yes, I believe if you have a 45 foot uphill putt, the clubface will swing slightly inside in the backswing. Anything short of that it has to swing straight back and straight through without the face opening and closing.(#28)
Putting Stroke – Straight back, Strait Through
There are many reasons why I believe the stroke is not an arc. The number one and foremost reason is the straight back straight through. It’s very simple. It is simple to practice, easy to understand and conceptualize. You can also practice on a straight edge or base board and watch the stroke to see how accurate you are.
The second reason is when you are practicing the arc you do not have a training tool to practice with. The longer the stroke the more you have to arc. The more the arc the more the clubface has to open and then return on time in the backswing. Too many moving parts. This does not include breaking putts. On putts breaking away from you does the face open less? On the same breaking putt do you not swing inside as much?
I think by now you know exactly how I feel about the direction the putter head has to travel on during the putting stroke. If you believe in the arc and you average less than 30 putts per round, STAY WITH IT. However if you struggle with putting, give this a try for 30 days and if your putting hasn’t improved I will give you your money back. Wait a minute. You didn’t pay anything. I know this will improve your putting results.
Putting Stroke – You Can’t be Perfect
I think this is about the right timing for me to talk to some of you about your stroke that wiggles, shakes and does the mamba on the way back. You have to trust me on this one. FORGET IT!!! It has very little to do with you not being a great putter.
I figured something out a long time ago; I can hardly draw a six inch straight line with a pencil so how can I expect myself to swing a putter back perfectly straight for two feet. I spend hours putting on a straight edge and then I LET IT GO. Give it up to the golf gods and let them do there thing.
There is time to practice and time to play. When I step on the first tee it is time to play. Don’t misunderstand me. I PRACTICE like I play and I PLAY like I practice. When I tee it up I have to let the playing take over. I do not try and figure it out on the golf course. I will tell you a little secret; I have made a whole bunch of putts with a wiggly backswing.
Putting : Backwing – Arms
Gripping the Putter
Swinging Back in One Piece
“Y” Swinging Back and Forth
Backswing for a 40 ft Putt
Thumbs Roll Open
Putting Instruction – The Correct Backswing
When you address the golf ball the putter head is soled on the ground. The shaft of the putter goes toward the center of your body and you are gripping the putter with the grip you choose.(#22)
Putting Backswing – Focus on the “Y”
Because you are bent over at the hips your arms hang from your upper body and they form the capital letter “Y”. The backswing is a movement of the shoulders, arms, wrists, hands, putter shaft and putter head swinging back in one piece.(#23)
Putting Instruction – The Right Shoulder Tilts – It Does Not Turn
As the backswing begins the right shoulder will have a slight tilt up as the putter head swings straight back away from the golf ball. The entire swing back and forth is a one piece swing with the “Y” swinging back and forth.(#24)
It is very difficult to build a consistent and dependable putting stroke if the wrists become independent of the arms and putter. The sole purpose of swinging the “Y” is to make sure you maintain a smooth and repeatable stroke.
If you swing the “Y” correctly the right shoulder will tilt up in the backswing and the left shoulder will tilt down. During the backswing the putter head has to stay as close to the ground as possible. Of course if you have a 40 foot uphill putt the length of the backswing will be much longer than a 10 foot putt. During the backswing of a 40 foot putt, the putter head will come up higher off of the ground than a 10 foot putt.(#25)
Correct Puting Grip
After you have gripped the putter both thumbs should point straight down the shaft. During the backswing the putter face should not roll open. If you feel the thumbs roll to the right in the backswing that means the clubface is opening and the “Y” is not intact.(#26)
Use the “Y” to Develop a Consistent Putting Stroke
By maintaining the “Y” in the backswing you can develop a stroke that will have the same amount of impact every time. The wrists have no place in the putting stroke. Using the “Y” you can develop a putting touch for all distances. It is very difficult to develop a putting stroke using your wrists. Any wrists movement in the putting stroke will add loft at impact and inconsistency to your distance control.
Ok, it’s time to wrap up today’s lesson. This post is starting to get a little long. Be sure to check out our third and final part of our How To Putt In Golf series. Here is the link.