GOLF TIPS
Consistent putting

By Jerry King, PGA
Kapalua Golf Academy Head Teaching Professional

A simple way to build a consistent putting pattern is to understand your goals of direction and speed.

First, determine the high and low side of the hole, for we should primarily focus on being "high-side oriented." (However, it is effective to lag a putt on the low side when faced with a considerable distance between the ball and the hole.) When "reading" the green, always return to the setup by walking from the low side; this will confirm your read and place confidence in your stroke. For example, if a putt is breaking 10 inches left, we must visualize the ball falling into the right side of the cup (high side) with a consistent speed.

A good speed for all putts is one that, if missed, would travel half a putter's distance by on the high side. This creates a more focused approach to building a confident stroke with more effective results.

To practice good speed control, cut a circle out of a transparency and place it over the hole. Position five balls six feet from the hole and roll each ball over the transparency to the mark of half a putter's distance by the hole. Rotate various distances, observing how the ball holds its line more effectively with a consistent speed.