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GOLF TIPS--Steps To Immediately Expand Your Putting Capacity

By: Ferdy Wise


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GOLF--How To Immediately Expand Your Putting Skills
On the surface, it appears that putting ought to be the easiest part of playing golf. You're only trying to move the ball a couple of yards in most cases and the putting swing looks like a piece of cake. But for more than a few golfers, putting is the weakest part of their game. Successful putting technique requires a smooth and precise movement and can only be obtained with constant training.

There's really no agreement on a perfect putting technique. In the final analysis, the perfect putting technique is the swing that puts the ball in the cup every time. Even though there are limitless variations, most players 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. Be as relaxed and free from tension as possible. Position the golf ball toward the front of your stance. It's imperative to keep your eyes on the ball. As you putt, your hands should be passive. Imagine a pendulum influenced only by your shoulders. Together, your shoulders and arms outline a triangle. Sustain that triangle all the way through your swing, starting at the backswing to the follow-through. Swinging up and through the ball will help you get a good roll without a jump. 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. When you're putting, it's usually something your left wrist is doing that's undesirable. An anti-yip putting technique is designed to fight this involuntary movement. To practice, grip your putter with your left hand placed below the right-hand. Place your wrist against the shaft of the putter. This putting technique has the added benefit of dropping 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. This technique 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 lower 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 when you begin your eyes are directly over the golf ball. Ensure you keep your eye line directly aligned with the target line. Establish a steady, well-balanced stance. In your mind's eye, see the putter as an extended part of your forearms. You're looking for a stroke, not necessarily a hit. Your putter is swinging and the golf ball coincidentally occupies the space it's swinging through.
Many players struggle with the problem of looking up too soon. This is bad for your putting technique because when your head moves, your body moves with it. Do you consider yourself to be a disciplined golfer? Then try this: the next time you putt, try keeping your head down until you hear the sound of the ball falling into the hole.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Ferdy Wise creates articles regarding sports, health, and computing. If you want to find out more about the terrific game of golf, please visit his web site www.free-golf-stuff.com which has information concerning Golf Putting, and related golf subjects.

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