Home About Us The Instructors Clinics Private Lessons Junior Golf Instructional Tips Oak Marsh Golf Club Phone: 651-730-8886 Fax: 651-730-6711 institute@wpgolf.com Putting: Distance vs. Direction - July 2003 By David La Pour Hello and welcome back to July's tip of the month. Last month I asked you to keep track of your putts and finesse opportunities. If you've been averaging 27 to 30 putts per round congratulations on a very good putting game! The reason you should be averaging the same amount of putts than the tour players are is because you will have at least twice as many finesse opportunities than they have. With more short game chances you can leave the ball closer to the hole and increase your chances of one putting. If on the other hand you are like most golfers who struggle with you're putting on occasion (three putting or worse), you may want to consider this question: What is more important, distance or direction? After all, these are the only 2 things you need in order to stroke a good putt. So which is it? You may be surprised but the answer is distance. Most people see the hole, which is static. The hole is 4 ¼ inches big and if you can't see it someone usually tends the flag so you know where to go. The big variable is how far you are from the hole. That, unlike the hole, is what changes on every hole that you play. Now granted there is green reading to consider and I'll save that for another day. In my opinion distance is at least twice as important than direction. With that said, you should take most of your time and energy on the putting green and direct it toward speed, touch and distance control. Below are some suggestions on how to work on your distance control on the putting green:   • Walk the distance of your putt or at least half of the putt to get a feel through your feet and brain on the length of your putt. You may also realize that the putt is up hill or down hill.   • Stand 5 feet behind the golf ball (facing the hole) while taking some practice swings. While you are acquiring your feel you can do an extremely quick green read (5 seconds).   • Move to the side of your ball and take some more preview strokes. A preview stroke is a practice swing with purpose.   • Finally move to the ball and duplicate your preview stroke, holding your finish until the ball stops rolling. This will give you feedback as to how well you did in duplicating your preview stroke and help you down the road in acquiring your distance control. As I mention to all of my students, be patient with yourself and give yourself the best opportunity to be your best! Try some of these things out and see if you don't become better at your putting. Good luck and I'll see you at Oak Marsh! PS - Check out the short game clinics being offered every Thursday in July and August. MORE TIPS Home / Putting / Short Game / Full Swing / Mental / Health / Other "I get up near the green in 2 or 3 and walk off with a 6 or worse. Help!"