How many of your strokes are played within spitting distance of the green? If you shoot par and hit every green in regulation, 50% of them are made with the putter. When you count chips, pitches, and all the variations that get the ball in putting position, the number rises to 60% or more. We asked three pros to give us some pointers on how to play our best where it counts—on and around the green.
Three Feet and in
Ever miss a 3-foot putt? Of course you have and of course you never want to miss another one, right? Craig Thomas, head pro at Metropolis Country Club in White Plains, says making a 3-footer is all about commitment. He says, “Hit it like you want to make it.” In addition, he recommends:
- Commit to the line of the putt with a target inside the cup unless there’s a really severe break.
- Hold your head perfectly still until you hear the ball rattle around the bottom of the cup.
- Stroke it firmly—don’t baby it!
Thomas offers a bonus tip on long putts. “Try to make every putt. Forget that ‘three-foot circle’ stuff. The smaller the target, the smaller the miss.”
A Bumpy Run
A surprising number of greens are best approached not with a high-flying wedge, but on the ground with a low bump and run. The shot is safer and surprisingly accurate when you use these techniques advocated by Bedford Golf and Tennis Club head pro Thomas Fletcher:
- Use a lower-lofted iron or even a hybrid instead of a wedge to get the ball rolling with enough forward momentum to carry it to the pin.
- Read the breaks of the green and the surrounds like you would a putt.
- When you set up, raise the handle of the club a bit to keep the heel off the ground, then take a low stroke almost like you’re putting the ball.
The Baby Pitch
“When they’re maybe 50 yards from the green,” says Salem Golf Club head pro Kevin Breen, “people are afraid of this shot. A lot of them take too big a swing and then decelerate as they come through.” Take some time to study your clubs and swing, and you’ll learn to pitch it close.
- Position the ball almost centered with your feet close together to minimize sway and make sure the club bottoms out where you want it to.
- Try different clubs like a gap wedge or sand wedge to control carry distance and ball flight.
- Study the distance you get with each club as you vary the length of your swing. Think of your left arm as the hand on a clock face and match the length of your follow-through with your backswing.
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