One of the most annoying aspects of golf is the constantly changing speed of greens.
It is something that we face every single time we play, even if we play on the same course every weekend.
But how can we tackle this constant change?
Is there a way that we can prepare ourselves for these changes?
Well, there are many drills that we can do, but these are not really sufficient for the day to day changes we face.
The number of practice drills for improving your technique, increasing the feel for the green and the improvement in holing out are many.
All are worth practicing and all are going to improve your putting.
It is worth noting that this is a drill that you can do on the day of your game, and a superb way to learn the speed of the greens quickly and accurately (as long as the practice green is maintained to the same exacting standards of the course).
But before I talk you through the exercise I feel it necessary to tell you about the biggest mistake golfers make on the practice green before they go out to play.
You would have seen this, and more than likely been guilty of doing it yourself.
You grab three balls, throw them down on the green and putt each one to a random hole. You have probably had a quick look at the line of the putt but not really taken that much care over it.
Your putt your first ball down to the hole only to leave it 3 foot short, then your second ball goes four foot past and the final ball has lost its line but is more or less the right pace.
You go forward to collect them and scoop them up and continue onto the next holes.
Doing this for a few minutes, you learn very little, heading out to the course with little knowledge of the greens.
Instead, I want you to try the following;
Take four balls, head for the most central point of the putting green.
Now from the center of the green, you have a chance to test four types of putt.
Aim for the fringe of the green, I do not want you putting towards a hole. Putt a ball to each point of the compass and see how close you can get the ball to the fringe.
Repeat the exercise at least five times, giving you a great feel for the speed of the green across differing slopes and grains.
As an additional drill, take the four balls and head to a hole. Remove the flag (you should always do that) and place the balls 6 inches from the hole. Now hole 12 putts. Listen to the ball drop in the hole and feel your confidence grow, before you head for the first tee.
Practicing your putting purposeful is far more beneficial than simply striking putts to a hole.
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