golf hacks - putting

Golf Hack #4 P-P-P-Putting
This is where keeping your stats come in handy. So go back to Golf Hack #1 and get started!
Nothing sums up the state of most peoples game like the scenes from Happy Gilmore when he hits the driver up on the green.... put then putts and putts and putts and putts... you get the idea. A 1" putt counts the same as a 330yrd drive, 1 stroke.

I played golf out at Star Ranch the week before and got 15 holes in before it got dark. Had a total of 31 putts which is just over my goal of 2 putts per hole (2.07). That means if I get it on the green in regulation (GRI) I will statistically make par almost every time. If you aren't working on your putting, you are throwing away at least 6 strokes over 18 holes.

You think I'm joking?

One of my playing buddies, who shall remain nameless :) had a 4 putt on 2 holes and several 3 putts, at least 3 maybe 4. That was over 15 holes, he gave away 7-8 strokes over 15 holes. Some of these were when he was within 15 ft from the hole! He would hit a great tee shot, then on the green in 2, then he would putt once and roll it 4 ft short or 4 feet past. Then he'd miss the 4 footer. Ring up a bogey. If he misses the green on the approach, ring up a double. I think he had par on every hole he 2 putted.

How did I fare? I only had 4 GIR's but had par on 3 for a 75% conversion rate, my buddy had about 9 GIR's but made par on less than half. I was having the hooks off the tee, had 6 penalty strokes, and we were tied through 14 holes, (then I hit it in the water, but the point remains, he should have smoked me).

So how do you work on your putting? Well here is what I do:

Step 1. Take 3 balls and start about 2-3 ft from the hole on the low side. Pretend that the green is the face of a clock and you are standing at 6 o clock. Now putt all 3 balls, if you make all 3 great, if not retry the ones you missed till you make them. Now work your way around the clock putting from all the different "times" if you don't want to do all 12 stations, at least do 8.

Step 2. Step back to 6 ft and repeat the same drill.

Step 3. Step back to 12 ft and repeat the same drill. But on these, if you miss them, simply finish them out, if you 3 putt, you start step 3 all the way over (its good to put some pressure on yourself so that you don't sweat it on the course). If you are already half way you can go back to the half mark.

Step 4. Work on lag putts of 20+ ft, you should be able to put these within 2-3 ft to count it as a make. I usually will do 5 stations of different lengths on the green, then 3 of different lengths on the green.

Step 5. Go back and make a few 3 footers with just the left hand and then just the right, maybe 6 putts per hand.

Step 6. Line up a putt from 3 ft, then close your eyes before swinging, try this about 10 times. You would be surprised how many you make. Next time you are standing over a short putt on the course you know you could make it 1 handed or with your eyes closed. So it is no sweat.

It sounds like a lot, but you can get it all done in about 45 minutes without rushing. I do this about every 3rd time to the range, with a condensed version before a round.

In the last 9 months I've got my putts per round from the 42 range down to about 37. Still got some work to do, would like to see it at 32 or less, put still a big improvement.

Ok hackers, hope that helps. Got lots of good posts coming up, going to discuss some chipping practice, how to find your yardages, and some game management in the future. Thanks for reading.

G