Golf Tips on the Putting Green

If you are able to sink putts on a regular basis, half the battle on the greens has generally been won, even if you struggle to drive considerable distances or fail to make the fairways with ease. Great golfers, even the professionals, who loose putting form - and they all do at some stage in their careers - seldom claim the PGA titles.

The one huge benefit of living on a golf estate in George on the Garden Route is the proximity of the championship golf course. Golfers, whether they boast a low or high handicap, can literally roll out of bed, grab their putter and make for the greens to practice the art of putting.

Like most sports, there are going to be times when you’re able to putt with deadly intent, sinking the ball at will. But let’s face it, these times are arguably far and few between for the vast majority of golfers out there and the only way to improve what is undoubtedly a skill is to practice, practice and practice some more.

In an effort to give you, the golfer, a putting kick-start, we have collected a number of putting tips that should improve the chances of your sinking that little white ball and, in doing so, improving your game of golf overall

• Great putters generally go through exactly the same routine each and every time they line up a putt. Remember this when you are eyeing out the cup and don’t deviate from your tried and tested putt-sinking routine.
• Never move your hands independently from your shoulders and arms when making the shot. This will, almost definitely, change the position of the face of the club and you’re likely to fluff the shot with alacrity.
• Don’t take too much time between your practice stroke and the actual putt - any longer than 8 seconds can seriously affect the fluidity of your stroke. Over-analysis is never a good thing, particularly on the putting green of a premier golf resort.
• A successful putter is generally a sensitive stroker of the ball. It’s important to keep your hands soft and steady while making the putt. Any extra pressure on the grip will definitely change the stoke and it will become more of a jab or stab than a flowing, precise putt.
• Putting demands limited and controlled movements and any deviation of movement like swaying or lifting can result in a miss as good as a mile. The same applies to your eyes - keep your eyes firmly on the prize the entire time and you should be successful at least some of the time.

At the end of the day, it’s partly practice and partly pure skill that will lower your handicap, so make for those golf estate greens and hone the art of putting; you’ll be amazed at how much more you’ll get out of the game.