Put to effect -
Not enough is written on the putting game. I say "to play" because the setting is a discipline entirely separate from the long game, short game and mental game in golf. Most of what we read in golf magazines these days seems to focus on the distance off the tee. Fair enough, but keep in mind that a golf course 72 is designed to complete 36 shots and 36 putts; put is half the game!
The problem I give advice on the setting, however, is that there are no absolutes to put technique. The "claw grip" on "belly putter" singularly putting technique is individual to each player. Therefore, I must provide the following warning: the following ideas in this column are only suggestions; really, whatever works for you on the putting surface is correct.
Here are some suggestions that work for me. Maybe they can help you drain the birdie putt from 12 feet at your next Sunday's game.
The Grip
I am very traditional when the handle is put in question. The conventional grip reverse recovery works well for me. I simply reverse my pinky finger right Vardon grip style, under the left so that the left index index now overlaps the little finger and ring finger of the right hand. Now, there are many variations to the most fundamental of all putting grips, so here's my own little twist to your account. In fact, I am this trick Stephen Lindskog, a local pro here in Jakarta. Stephen suggested that I "faint in my left hand." Assuming that you also use the same traditional putting grip that I outlined above, I recommend you weaken your left hand too. I'm not talking about the weakness of grip pressure here. No, I refer to the position of the left hand on the club. Just turn your left hand to the left so that the back of the hand squarely facing the target. With a low left hand, both the top of your left forearm and the back of the left hand should point at the target.
Run
I like to feel that the left arm and putter are one in the same, the left arm is an extension of the putter. Admittedly, I'm not alone here, there are many others who defend this approach, including the great Harvey Penik who wrote about it in his "Little Red Book". There is no need to introduce stiffness or tension when using this concept as the arms and hands should remain soft and without tension. one of the main advantages, as I see it, is that I break my wrists when I feel like the left arm is an extension of the club and so my hands are soft and calm throughout the putting stroke. Now when I caress the ball, I want to feel that I am 'rolling' the ball, leading to rear or on the top of my left arm, following through to the target. of course, the ball is struck by the putter head, but I like to think I'm using my left arm to ride ball. Going back to the lower left hand grip, I am confident using my left arm because it is pointed at the target and in line with the putter face, another advantage of a weak left hand grip. Stephen thank you!
I reiterate that these concepts put that I use. I would not say they are for everyone. Again, whatever works for you is the right method of setting! Good luck and please let me know if any of these concepts work for you. More details on setting the next month!