‘Pro Side’ Putting

Here’s a drill to start those tricky, breaking putts on line

Start holing those tricky breakers like a pro.

“Focus on the tee like it is the centre of the cup.”

OOne of the biggest problems amateur golfers face on the green is starting the ball on line, especially for a putt with significant break. I often see players reading the green correctly and even setting up properly – only to start the ball rolling too close to the hole. The reason for this is an amateur’s focus tends to shift to the hole instead of where the ball should be starting, causing them to pull or push the ball towards the hole and inevitably missing on the low side of the hole as opposed to the “pro side” where the ball at least has a chance of dropping in. The pictures above show a very simple exercise you can use to help move your focus to the starting point instead of the hole. I have placed a tee where I want to start the ball as well as a couple of alignment sticks slightly wider than my putter aimed towards the tee. From this posi- tion my focus is entirely on the tee as if this is the center of the hole and I have a dead straight putt. The more you can practice with the tee as your focus, the better chance you’ll start the ball on line, get a feel for the required speed and start dropping those satisfying birdie putts.

Jack Woods is a PGA Teaching Professional at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club’s Peter Cowen Academy Dubai. For more information, visit dubaigolf.com