Show me a hurried putter and I’ll show you a bad putter
Step onto the putting green, and you have to transform yourself into a totally different section of golf.
The putting green is where the success to your round lies. The first thing every player should do is mark their ball. By marking your ball, you achieve several positive items that increase your chances of making the putt.
First, it gives you the opportunity to clean your ball of any mud or debris it may have picked up along the way. Many times, I have seen a glob of mud stick to the ball, and, when the player putted it without seeing and cleaning it, the ball rolled like it had a flat tire. Marking your ball gives you the opportunity to take a look at the break and to just slow your approach to the putt.
From an etiquette standpoint, the only ball that should be on the green is the ball that is being putted. There should be no other balls around to distract the player.
While other people putt, line up your shot and watch how their ball reacts to the green. Chances are, your ball will do the same as it slows down.
When placing your ball back to putt, use any alignment aids the ball may have such as arrows or the name. Aim these the direction you want the ball to go in.
Finally, have a consistent preshot routine. Take the practice strokes and make sure your routine is the same each time. You will be surprised; if you follow this pattern your putts will start to drop.
Show me a hurried putter and I’ll show you a bad putter.
