There’s an adage in golf that says, “Drive for show, putt for dough.” While hitting a monstrous drive is sure to impress any gallery, it’s ultimately the person who sinks the most putts who will be lifting the trophy at the end of the day. As someone deeply embedded in the Myrtle Beach golf scene, I can attest to the critical importance of putting. With the plethora of challenging greens at Myrtle Beach’s numerous golf courses, putting skills can make or break your round. So, here are some effective strategies to help you improve your game on the greens.
The Fundamentals of Putting
Golfing greats like Bobby Jones and Ben Hogan insisted that putting is a game within the game. It’s different from the full swing in so many ways. It requires a delicate touch, extreme precision, and a different type of hand-eye coordination.
To begin, take a neutral grip, slightly different from your full swing grip. Your hands should be below your shoulders, elbows slightly bent. Your stance should be comfortable, allowing your arms to hang naturally and positioning your eyes directly over the ball. From here, your shoulders should control the stroke. Putting is not a wristy action, but more of a pendulum movement made by the shoulders.
Pre-Putting Routine and Green Reading
One difference between professional golfers and amateurs is their pre-putting routine. Pros approach each putt with a focused routine. Before getting into position for their putt, they study the green, understanding its surface and slopes to visualize the ball’s path towards the hole. It’s important to remember that the ball will typically break towards the ocean here in Myrtle Beach due to the subtle gravitational pull.
Taking time to analyze the green and having a consistent physical routine before each putt can drastically improve your consistency and accuracy. Remember, every putt is a straight putt to the point where the ball will start breaking due to the green’s slope.
Practice Speed Control
One common mistake among amateurs is focusing too much on the line and not enough on the pace. The fact is, a perfect line is worthless without perfect pace. A good tip is to look at a spot a few feet beyond the hole during practice strokes to visualize the power needed to get the ball to the hole.
Use Putting Drills
To really home in on your putting precision, putting drills can be very handy. You can practice these at home or on the practice green before your round. The “Circle Drill” involves placing balls in a circle around a hole and trying to sink every putt. For the “Ladder Drill”, line up five balls in a row, each one farther from the other in a straight line. Try sinking each putt in sequence, focusing on managing different distances. These are both excellent for improving your putting game.
Adopt a Positive Mindset
Lastly, adopting a positive mindset can significantly influence your performance on the greens. Make a positive affirmation before each putt such as, “I can make this putt” or “I am a great putter”. This simple yet potent mental technique can help you to putt with greater confidence and conviction.
Putting is an essential aspect of golf and one that requires careful attention and practice. By focusing on the fundamentals, understanding the greens at Myrtle Beach, practicing speed control, doing drills, and adopting a positive mindset, you can improve your putting game dramatically. Remember, the player who sinks more putts wins more games. Happy putting!