10. IT’S OKAY TO LEAVE IT SHORT (Sometimes)
Much has been said about leaving putts short, and how it means the ball had no chance of ever going in. Well, what about putts that wind up a few feet past the hole? They didn’t go in either!
Sometimes, the smart play is to leave the ball short. Situations such as uphill putts or steep breaking putts are better missed on the short side because generally it means you will have an easier, uphill putt left to contend with. Rather, if you ram every putt past the hole, the ball may roll too far from you, leaving either lengthy putts or tough downhillers to make in order to prevent three-putts. A short putt isn’t all bad, especially from long range.
How short is too short? Before I get into trouble advising golfers to leave all their putts short, know this: I’m not saying leave them a few feet short. I’m talking inches, folks.
And, this isn’t true for all putts. Most putts should be hit with the full intention of making it, which means the ball needs enough roll to get to the hole. If you get in a pattern of leaving the ball short too often, instead of becoming a panic-putter and developing the yips, try a different approach.
Work on your chipping. Sharpen up your wedge and iron game. You can become a better putter if you have shorter putts to putt. This is one reason touring professionals are such great putters. They have shorter putts than you do. From long range, they don’t make many more than you do, but thanks to having a sharper iron and short game, they’re much more proficient at the short putts. (I’m willing to bet they practice short putts a whole lot more than amateurs do.) Get out there and practice!
A.J. Bonar is the head teaching professional at the AJ Golf School in Encinitas, Calif. He’s also author of the popular Truth About Golf DVD series, as well as inventor of the Truth Club. For more information, visit ajgolf.com.
Yeah, never mind that for 90% of amateurs hitting it decently off the tee is what they strive for.
Most asinine golf tip yet. Next you’ll be giving advice on how to hit a golf ball that’s resting on a branch in some shrubbery. Oh wait! That’s been done, thanx to dave pelz.
This web site is actually pretty well written and illustrated considering no videos immediately pop up. But our golfers world is filled with tips is it not? You would think that the people at Golf Tips Magazine would have written in a bunch of fake “”this is great”” stuff but they have seemingly left well enough alone. But then again this note could be fake. Just another swing thought to think about at the top of your backswing.
Good common sense tips that helps you perform to your capabilities, even though you don’t have the swing of a PGA pro. Several ideas I will try to see if they fit my game. Thanks.
http://hittingthegolfball.com
Good common sense tips that helps you perform to your capabilities, even though you don’t have the swing of a PGA pro. Several ideas I will try to see if they fit my game. Thanks.
http://hittingthegolfball.com
Good common sense tips that helps you perform to your capabilities, even though you don’t have the swing of a PGA pro. Several ideas I will try to see if they fit my game. Thanks.
http://hittingthegolfball.com
Good common sense tips that helps you perform to your capabilities, even though you don’t have the swing of a PGA pro. Several ideas I will try to see if they fit my game. Thanks.
http://hittingthegolfball.com
FACT…The golf handicap average has only dropped one stroke since 1990. It remains around 19.1. There is a reason. You cannot continue to do the exact same thing and expect different results…
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HMZLCJY
This seems such as the golf industry self-regulating. Truthfully, the model associated with release cycles within the equipment industry appeared destined to fall short and companies tend to be closing.
http://wetalkaboutgolf.com