Try the Tip Tuesday Vol 5: Putter Stick
So this week’s tip is both a tip and a hack for trying the tip since I was missing a key piece of “equipment.” I have been pretty focused on my putting practice recently, so much so that I neglected chipping and paid the price for it on the course last week…BUT, I still wanted to try this drill for you guys.
This week’s drill is one that I saw on Paige Spiranac’s page for working on your power and monitoring your roll direction. I know that I tend to pull across as I come through, I can see myself do it when I use my Back 2 Basics Golf Putting Mirror. This drill gave me a longer visualization of where my ball was going as it left my club face. The catch here, was that I don’t have a yardstick at my house, or apparently anything even resembling a yardstick. My very hacky way of trying out this drill? Laying paint mix sticks need to end across my putting mat. It wasn’t perfect, and I spent a lot of time adjusting the sticks between putts, but I did manage to get the feel for the drill and see the effects of my cut across on the ball roll.
My coach for this drill is newer to the game, and not very helpful in correcting my putting path, but he was good for encouragement, as well as for a few judgmental looks when I gave the ball a little too much power. Head over to Instagram to see video footage of his coaching style.
Focus Area: Putting path and ball roll
Where: This is a great drill for home, but you could also try it at the course or the range if it isn’t busy.
What You Need: Putting mat or putting green, yardstick (or paint sticks…)
The Drill: Lay your yardstick down on your putting mat or on the green pointing towards the hole. Place your ball at the far end of the yardstick and get into your putting state. Focus on a smooth back to front motion as you come through the ball, trying to keep the ball on the yardstick until the end. If your putting mat has an incline like mine, you will also need to focus on the power you use to keep the ball straight as it climbs the ramp, but not jump over the hole.
Takeaway: This is not a ground breaking drill by any means, but I am a fan of the drills that bring you back to the simplest parts of the game and your wing mechanics. Since cutting across is an issue when I out, this is also a great drill for me to combine with my putting mirror practice as I work to improve that back to front movement.
As for my new coach, I don’t think he is going to make the cut in the long run, at least not as a coach. I think he will be demoted to spectator on a full time basis.
Leave me a comment and let me know what you think about this drill!
Until next time,
Fore!
Katherine
This post originally appeared on The Birds and the Tees
