Master the Art and Science of Putting 4

Laser-like Alignment?

According to Dave Pelz, the major reason for missed putts is mis-alignment.? To test this theory, I conducted a study in 1998 to assess the extent to which golfers mis-aligned their putters using a laser alignment aid at a hole 10 feet away on a DreamGreen? executive putting green, measuring 12 feet long and 3 feet wide. A target that extended 6 inches to the right and left of the hole was placed directly behind the hole.?

The laser was used to test the accuracy of the golfer’s alignment and was not activated until the golfer aligned the putter as was satisfied that the putter was aimed at the center of the hole.? The golfers could have used the edges of the putting green to help them align to the hole.? If they did, it didn’t help.?

Only 5%, that’s 50 golfers out of a thousand, aimed the putter anywhere inside the hole.? Some golfers’ alignment was so off that the laser light didn’t touch the target behind the hole.? That means that their alignment was off by more than 6 inches and they were only 10 feet away from the hole.? How can you expect to make putts if you’re aimed in the wrong direction.?

The reason that most golfers’ mis-align their putters is that they try to align their putter while standing in their address position.? As I’ve discussed a number of times, golfers get a skewed perspective from this position. That is, the hole is not where they “think” it is.?

To ensure your putter is aligned where you think it is, follow the process listed below.?

·?????? Every ball has a label (i.e. Titleist)

·?????? Mark the position of the ball on the green with a coin or other object.? Pick up the ball.

·?????? Now replace the ball on the ground with the front edge of the label pointing at your target point (If it’s a straight putt, this will be the center of the hole.)

·?????? If the putt breaks left, the label must be aimed to the right of the center of the hole.? If the putt breaks right, the label must be aimed to the left of the center of the hole. How much depends on the slope of the green, but that’s another topic for another day.?

·?????? Move 8-10 feet behind the ball and confirm your alignment is accurate.

·?????? This process needs to be practiced sufficiently so that it doesn’t take more time than is necessary and cause slow play.?

With the ball properly placed you will make more short putts and get longer putts closer to the hole.