MAster the Art and Science of Putting 3

An Ideal Address Position?

Before we can develop a simple, repeatable putting stroke, we must place our bodies and the club in the ideal position to make that happen.? For a straight-line putting style, the following elements are suggested.?

Knees bent

Upper torso forward of legs

Arms hang straight down from the shoulders naturally

Hands under the center of the shoulders

Eyes over the target line and on or slightly behind the ball

Feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the target line

Clubhead in the center of the stance

Feet less than the width of the shoulders but wide enough to remain balanced

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This position promotes a putting stroke that keeps the putter face straight back and through for several inches on either side of the ball naturally.? You don’t have to try and manipulate the putter to accommodate it.? That makes learning it simple and easy to repeat when playing.?

The eyes are place over the target line to minimize visual skewing.? Even from this position you don’t see the hole where it truly is.? The longer the putt, the more skewing occurs.? The only accurate way to locate the hole is from behind the ball with your head centered in the middle of your Shoulders and your eyes parallel to the horizon.?

Since golfers are averse to putting with their bodies facing the hole this is the best compromise that reduces skewing down to a minimum.? In my next post I’ll discuss Focus control, which is a necessary skill on all putts shorter than 10 feet.? Until then, Happy Golfing.