Weekly Golf Tip as seen in The Winnipeg Sun --

July 10th, 2007

The Dreaded Three Foot Putt

Most people fear the 3-foot putt or all short putts mainly because, as you get closer to the hole, the expectation to make the putt increases. Sometimes people have a fear of missing and then looking bad in front of their playing partners. They are just hoping to hear their favourite words "Gimme" or "pick it up."

Have no fear.

To be an excellent short putter, you need two things: Good Technique and A Pre-Putt Routine.

THE TECHNIQUE

Notice in the photos that I am lining up the aim line on my ball with where I want to start the putt. On most short putts under five feet, it will likely be in the centre of the hole but it is not always straight. If it is a breaking putt, line up the aim line with where the putt must start to take the break and fall into the centre of the hole. Remember -- Aim Small, Miss Small. If you aim generally at the hole, your miss will be large and severe but if you aim small and precise then your miss will be small and you will make more putts.

In my set-up I have my eyes over the ball or slightly inside the ball. This is the correct posture to aim properly and develop a great stroke. The ball position is about an inch forward of the centre of my stance and my hands are slightly in front of the ball, creating a slight forward shaft lean. Since this is a short putt, the putter moves straight back and straight through along the intended target line, with very little arcing. If you were attempting a longer putt, the putter would arc more.

THE PRE-PUTT ROUTINE

Develop a routine that allows you to get relaxed and calm. Most people miss these putts as a result of too high a tension level. Take a practice stroke or two focusing your eyes on the small target where you want to start the ball, trying to get a feel for the correct speed of the putt. The ideal speed is that the ball would roll about a foot past the hole if you were to miss. Now, line up your putter with the aim line and where you want to start the putt. Take a deep relaxing breath and exhale, then look at the small target, then back at the ball and stroke the ball without delay. From the last look at your target to when you hit the putt should be no longer than a second or two. Do not take a long time over the putt. Negative thoughts and tension will build. Remember with good technique and a good pre-putt routine, you will make more putts from all distances.

Derek Ingram is the Head Teaching Professional at the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is a past winner of the Canadian PGA's Teacher of the Year and one of the top High Performance Golf Coaches in the World.

- Derek Ingram