John Lucas

Let’s discuss some things that should help one’s putting.

 

1. Alignment: It is paramount that one’s putter face be 90 degrees to the target line. Proper alignment is such a basic need to putting well that one should not bother practicing putting at all until this is achieved. Walmart and Big 5 sell ball line markers that place a stripe on one’s ball to aid in this critical step. All PGA and LPGA players do this, so why not you? Just kneel down behind the ball and point the stripe on the line you wish the putt to roll, then place your body parallel to the stripe and you’re good to go.

 

2. Body set up or posture: A line from one’s eyes should intersect the inside edge of the ball. Just let your arms hang easily from your shoulders so a line drawn from them intersects with your hands. The shaft should line up with the inside of your forearms. This is facilitated by gripping the putter more in the palm of the hand rather than with the fingers.

 

3. Centeredness of contact: An absolute must is to start the ball rolling on line and to control the pace of the putt. Try putting two tees in the ground slightly wider apart than your putter blade; place the ball slightly in front of them and allow your putter blade to go through the tees without contacting them.

Another thing to try is putting with just one hand. Few tasks in everyday life are done with two hands.

Hold the putter in your dominant hand and swing the putter back and forth, allowing it to swing naturally in a slight arc, always accelerating through and past the ball while keeping the lower part of your body and your head absolutely still.

Rules teaser:
A ball knocked off a tee still lies within the teeing ground. It may be re-teed. True or false?

Answer to last column’s teaser:
In repairing an old hole plug, a player taps down a spike mark within the old hole plug. Ruling? No penalty.

John Lucas is the professional at SkyRidge Golf Course and can be reached at john98382@olypen.com.