1. No doubt you have hit shots off the toe of the club. The ball doesn’t go as far. There are times you can use this to your advantage. Take putting on a fast green and a downhill putt for an example. Address the ball off the toe of the putter, and it will not come off the blade as quickly as it would if you had hit it out of the center of the putter.

2. When you want to stop the ball quickly on a shot from about 20 to 30 yards where you might be going over a bunker or water with the pin close to the hazard, address the ball off the toe of your 60° or 56° wedge and play the ball towards your left toe. Get plenty of wrist action on your backswing so the club is coming down fairly steeply. This will allow you to land the ball softly.

3. Most people grip the putter far too tightly. The putter shouldn’t turn in your fingers, but your knuckles shouldn’t be turning white either. Try to grip the putter lightly enough that you can feel the weight of the putter-head swinging.

4. When putting on slower greens, you might try to hit the ball harder. This habit is somewhat difficult to control. Lengthen the swing you are taking which will give you more club head speed, and relax into your rhythm.

5. When you are practicing your putting, if you feel tense and are having a hard time relaxing, take a few putts looking at the hole. Yes! Don’t look at the ball. Look at the hole, and putt. Don’t concern yourself about what happens during the swing. Just look at the hole, and try to hole the putt. Let the swing take care of itself.

Good Golfing,

David Clay