It really seems like putting ought to be dead easy compared to the rest of your golf game. Very little power is required and putting looks like a simple movement. But for many golfers, putting is a source of endless frustration. A winning putting technique is very demanding in terms of smoothness and precision and can only be obtained with repetitive training.



There is really no such thing as a perfect putting technique. In the final analysis, the best putting technique is the swing that puts the ball in the cup every time. Although there are probably endless variations, most golfers use one of these techniques: the orthodox grip, the anti-yip grip, and the Langer grip.

A traditional putting technique is based on a grip with your palms facing each other. Your goal is to have your hands operating as one unit, not independently. Adopt a relaxed posture and be as free from tension as possible. The golf ball should be toward the front of your stance. You absolutely must keep your eyes on the ball. As you putt, your hands should be passive. Imagine a pendulum influenced only by your shoulders. Visualize a triangle being formed by your arms and shoulders. Sustain that triangle right through your swing, starting at the backswing to the follow-through. You want the ball to roll without leaving the ground, so swing up and through the ball. Hold your follow-through and don't look up too soon, just keep looking at the ground.

Now let's take a look at the anti-yip putting technique. What in heaven's name are the yips? Many golfers suffer from small, uncontrollable muscle twitches-the yips-that can keep you from making a smooth stroke. In the case of putting, it's usually the left wrist that's causing the problem. An anti-yip putting technique is designed to fight this involuntary movement. To practice, grip your putter with your left hand somewhat under the right-hand. Put your wrist alongside the shaft of the putter. This putting technique also helps by lowering your left shoulder. Again, remember that the motion of your putting stroke should be controlled by your shoulders, not your arms or wrists, so train with this in mind.

Need even more support? Try the Langer grip. It was developed by Bernhard Langer. The Langer grip moves beyond the anti-yip putting technique. It starts the same way: grip the putter with your left hand farther down the shaft than your right. But here's the difference: you actually grasp your left wrist with the fingers of your right hand. Maintain a light grip pressure and relax as much as possible. The Langer putting technique tends to work better for short putts.

General hints that may help improve your putting technique include making sure that you start out with your eyes directly over the golf ball. Keep your eye line parallel to the target line. Maintain a stable, balanced stance. In your mind's eye, see the putter as an extension of your forearms. You're looking for a stroke, not necessarily a hit. Your putter is swinging and the golf ball just happens to be in the way.

A lot of golfers have trouble keeping their eyes on the ball. Problem is, when you turn your head, your body turns at the same time. Do you think you're a disciplined golfer? Test yourself with this: the next time you putt, keep looking at the ground until you hear the satisfying plop of the ball falling into the hole.