10 Tips to fix your Putting game for Junior Golfers
Most junior golfers often overlook the putting aspect of golf. They tend to direct most of their focus on trying to get it right with the long ball and increasing their yardage. But when you think about it, the long range shots are fewer in a golf round as compared to putts. The putter is the club used the most in the bag. Even among those who try working on their putting game, they often commit mistakes that impact negatively on their putting game. For amateurs looking to fix their putting game, here are some tips by RunRex to help you.
1. Choose the right putter
The fourteen clubs in the bag all have different purposes and performance. Putters are specifically for putting. But you have to consider other aspects other than the function. Pick a putter that you are most confident with and comfortable using. Some of the things you can consider when selecting a putter include the putter length, your shot tendencies and hazards on the golf course. Make sure you get the right club if you want to perfect your putting game.
2. Be light on the grip
Grip pressure is a key influencing factor in determining how effective your putting game is. Don’t be too hard on the putter as that will limit your flexibility and affect the direction of the ball. Regardless of your grip style, just apply enough pressure to prevent the putter from slipping in the hands but not limit flexibility. That is all the pressure you need.
3. Minimize tension in the stroke
For easy putting, tension must be as little as possible. One can achieve this by standing at a distance away from the ball to allow your arms to hang comfortably. The distance should not be that wide or too close. If you feel some level of discomfort, adjust accordingly by moving slightly away or closer to the ball until you are comfortable enough. You should not experience any strain in your arms.
4. Eyes over the ball
At address, your eyes should be positioned directly over the ball. You achieve this by bending slightly towards the direction of the ball. The aim is to have your eyes perpendicular to your line of putt. This way you don’t distort your viewpoint when targeting the target hole. Position your eyes such that when you drop the ball from your lead eye, it will fall directly on the ball you are putting.
5. Control the tempo
Your tempo should be consistent for all your putts. Lengthen the stroke if you are putting the ball for a further distance and shorten it if you are putting for a shorter distance. It is the most efficient way of controlling the distance the ball will cover and the pace as compared to altering the tempo which yields poor putting performance.
6. Align the clubface correctly
If your putting always goes away from your target point, chances are you are not aligning your clubface correctly. The rule here is simple; align the clubface such that it faces the direction in which you intend to lead the ball. Even if you align your feet and your shoulders correctly but do not align the putter face correctly, the ball will always head to the wrong direction. The putter face should form a 90-degrees angle with your target line.
7. Trust your instincts
Your instincts do not lie, and you should always try following them. Perhaps the main reason you are not getting the ball into the hole is that you are putting way too much focus on getting all the mechanics right and ignoring how your instincts are directing you. Stop worrying about all the possible scenarios that could happen after you hit the ball. Your sole focus should be the result – the ball getting into the hole. Follow what your instincts are telling you and hit the ball. It, however, does not mean that you do away with the mechanics. They are important too.
8. Shift your focus to the back of the target hole
Let the hole be. Concentrate on the back side of it instead. With the right tempo, the golf ball will roll, and when almost hitting the back of the hole, it will fall into it instead. Be easy with the trigger force and, also, don’t spend too much time trying to target. Get into your stance position, align your clubface correctly and hit the ball towards the back of the hole.
9. Use your opposite hand as a lead.
It is just like taking a basketball shot. You only use the right hand to shoot while the left acts as a guide. In this case, use your left hand as a lead if you are right-handed. You can train yourself to use only your right hand to putt by practicing with one hand. This way when you introduce the left hand, it will only serve as a lead.
10. Continuous practice
The only way to fix your put is by practicing the new corrective skills you have learned. If you practice more, you internalize them more, and they become part of your game naturally.