Look to Cut Your Strokes
April 20, 2008 – 6:39 pm | by GolfdirtBy Norman Stanley
Drive for show putt for dough the saying goes. The meaning behind this is that you will, on average use your driver eight to ten times a round, maybe a little more, maybe a little less; you will, however, use your putter on average 36 times in a regulation round, and on a good day. We have all had rounds I’m sure where the flat stick has been out of the bag 30 times in the front nine. Think about it, that’s 36 strokes, that’s half the strokes on a regular par 72 course! So miss a turn at the driving range and head for the putting green to cut your strokes.
Your actual putting stroke aside, here are five simple putting ’looks’ to get your score card into a healthier condition.
1. As you approach the green, ‘look’ at its contours. Does it slope left or right, to the back or to the front? It is often easier to see the main contours from a distance, so when you get to the green you already know the lie of the land.
2. Once upon the green, ‘look’ at it from all angles. Walk around it, mindful of your and your playing partners’ lines, and feel the contours through your feet. You will gain so much information about the breaks and borrows from different viewpoints, a little rise here a little dip there, which could affect your putt.
3. ‘Look’ at the grass; which way is it growing? It gradually changes throughout the day as the tiny blades follow the sun. If the nap is towards you, it will create more drag and slow the ball; if the grass is growing away towards the hole, the putt will be a little faster.
4. It sounds silly, but ‘look’ at your ball. In fact, always, always mark it and pick it up; this gives you the opportunity to clean it and also slows you down so you have the chance to really gauge your line. If you don’t know where you are aiming, it makes it impossible to hit the target.
5. Finally, ‘look’ at the hole, not just to see where it is but how it is. Are there footprints around it? There often are as everybody in front of you will have placed a foot near the hole as they reached in to retrieve their balls. Is the hole level? A difference in levels around the hole can allow a ball to jump the hole or lip out.
These simple tips will cut your strokes and cost you nothing except a little time. After all, golf ain’t a race is it?
Norman “Big Norm” Stanley is a weekend hacker, gives private tuition and never pays full price. Visit his site.
