Putting – Cape Town Golf Academy – 021 3000140
TAKE THE CORRECT PATH TO ACCURACY
In the correct address position your feet, hips and shoulders are parallel to the target line. Ensuring your eyes are over the ball encourages your neckline to be parallel to the ground, which enables your shoulders to move in a natural arc.
To start the backswing the right shoulder moves both backwards and upwards, the arms and club swing backwards on a slightly “inside” path, which is a natural response to the arc of the shoulders. Remember, the length of the stroke ( backswing and follow through) will determine the distance of the putt.
The putter swings back into the impact position. Note how the arrows on the hoop indicate the turning of the shoulders and swinging of the arms in unison. The putter is returned to a square position at impact, which leads to an accurate putt.
The left shoulder must continue to move upwards and backwards, allowing the right shoulder to swing under the chin and down the target line. The arms move in conjunction with the shoulders swinging the putter on the correct path. The use of the arms and shoulders like this minimizes wrist action and therefore allows the more reliable larger muscles to guide the putter.
In the completion of the follow through, the putter head has moved on an inside path relative to the target line. Remember, the length of the follow through is determined by the length of the backswing, they are equal in length. The total swing distance will determine the length of the putt.
