28 August 2010
Putting Tips – Make A Y
Posted by Joel McGinty under: Golf .
The position of your arms and how you grip the putter are fundamental to the putting stroke. We're going to focus on putting grip pressure and arm position in these putting tips.
Why the Y?
Look a the letter - "Y." Now, imagine that the putter shaft is the stem of the Y and your arms form the top of the Y. If you were to stand in front of a mirror and take your putting stance, you should see something that looks like the letter Y.
Your arms should hang loosely. They should net be bowed out. If your arms are not hanging loosely and straight, if is very difficult to set your arms in the same position every time. However, when the arms are straight, you can be set in the same position for every putt.
Oh So Gently
Let's look at the putting grip. There are two factors to keep in mind:
1. Consistency - Use the same grip every time in the same way
2. Grip Pressure
There is no end to the number of grip styles you'll see around the golf course and among the pros. I'm not going into those different styles. I use a "traditional" grip with my thumbs pointed straight down the putting shaft. As a right-handed putter, my left thumb is covered by the pad of the right thumb and my hands touch. There's no gap. Your grip may be different, but as long as you a striking the ball squarely with the putter there's no problem. The grip doesn't matter - consistency of the grip does.
Grip pressure in golf is one of the most overlooked aspects of the game. I have played with people whose muscles are popping in their forearms from squeezing too hard. That is the opposite of what a relaxed grip should be. One of the best analogies I've heard is to grip the putter just a little bit tighter than it takes to squeeze a tube of toothpaste.
A relaxed putting stroke is important for good putting and light grip pressure is necessary. Grab you putter, take your stance and grip it. Now, squeeze hard, really hard. Feel the tightness in your hands and arms, but also notice it in your shoulders and back. Putting with this hard a grip will cause erratic movement in your stroke. Erratic movement will cause erratic putts.
Okay, relax. Shake the tension out of your hands, arms and shoulders. Then, gently grip the putter with just enough pressure to keep a hold on it. Feel the difference? There should be no tension in your arms, hands, shoulder or back. Now you can have a smooth stroke.
Conclusion
If you make a Y with your putter and arms and take a grip that keeps the tension out of your hands, arms, shoulder and upper body, you are in a position to take a smooth consistent putting stroke. Squeeze and then relax is a good putting key.
I would much rather play than practice and do putting drills. However, the putting tips we covered here don't require a lot of time and can be done at home or in the office. You can find a mirror and master the Y and then grip the putter gently and practice a smooth stroke. Then when you get to the course for you round, you can practice for a few minutes to get the feel on the practice greens. Just a few minutes a day can lead to a big improvement in your putting.
Find more Putting Drills and tips at Putting Tips and Help. Also visit our site on Golf and Putting Tips at Tumblr.
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