Golf Fore You
with Gary Price I'm sure that most of you are familiar with the golf expression 'you drive for show but putt for dough'.If you saw any of the Ryder Cup last week, then truer words have never been spoken.The Americans sank more clutch putts to win or tie matches than the Europeans.I saw good and bad ball striking on both teams. Great shots were negated by missed short putts and less than average ones were saved or even became victorious with sunken surprises.Each week on tour the winner invariably has the best putting stats.I used to ask students in group classes if they thought they were good putters?I then jokingly told those who failed to raise their hands to take up tennis.Without a positive attitude you have very little chance of success. Confidence comes from having a clear image of the desired result. A strong visual of the putt going in, before you make your stroke, is critical. I see great putters take lots of time looking at or around the hole and creating a matching practice stroke, before they putt. They get the necessary feel from the picture.Controlling your stroke now is what allows you to execute from this perfect image.Here are some suggestions.A light grip pressure is important to sense the weight and the pendulum swing of the clubhead. To eliminate wrist movement, extend the trigger finger of the leading(target) hand down the shaft, on the outside of your fingers.A cross handed (left hand low) grip can also firm up the wrists. To keep the lower body still, as if in cement, put most of your weight on the leading (target) foot/leg. With a steady head, allow the triangle of hands/arms/shoulders to swing smoothly, in one piece, to the hole.Remember to accelerate your stroke and extend through the ball.There are many different shapes, sizes, styles and of course costs of putters.Whichever one produces the best roll, has good alignment, and gives you the most confidence, is the right one. Consider perhaps going through a custom putter fitting session with a professional.Practice, practice, practice to develop you putting skills and always practice on the putting green before play to get your touch for the day.V. J. Singh has made a comeback to the top of the tour and has already won the Fedex Cup playoffs because of his recent results on the greens.That's $10,000,000 worth of putting dough !Gary Price teaches at the Caledon Golf Centre (Hwy. 10, just north of King St.) Lessons: 905- 857-8654 or gary@forefixer.com