Short Putting Problems---How To Stop Slicing Short Putts

January 16th 2007 00:49
It seems that every time you start short putting well another bad putting stroke is around the corner. One of the most infuriating aspects of a golfers short game is slicing the putt, whether it's a short putt,or tap-in stroke.

It's not necessarily how you're making contact with the ball in your putting stroke that has you doing fits after you miss easy tap-ins.It's how you're using your body, hands and arms in one flowing motion and applying that to how you short putt, and the results you ultimately achieve through consistent practice.

The first thing you want to do is related to a bodybuilding movement we used as teenagers. That's the old biceps barbell curl. Think about it,you're trying to build muscle on your biceps. If you don't concentrate on that muscle by not lifting properly you inevitably end up working other muscles more and not really working the biceps.

One way to concentrate on those biceps is to pull your elbows in. This will isolate   your biceps and force you to use those muscles to lift it in one motion, without bringing other muscles into play. If you don't bring your elbows in against your ribs, your biceps curl is off balance and you end up using sloppy form. This does nothing    to assist you in your goal of achieving larger biceps.

The same thing applies to your short putting, believe it or not.If you keep your arms loose and all over the place you end up hitting the ball off  centre. This makes you  end up slicing your putts the majority of the time.Using only your hands and arms in   a loose motion will make you slice and make unnoticed movements that don't contribute to an inline putt that is consistent in accuracy and distance.

The answer to not slicing short putts anymore:

There's another issue at hand, your hands. You don't need a tight grip. Just a light grip will do and reduce tension and increase the flow of your short putt. If you don't use your body,hands and arms simultaeously in  a straight motion, you will slice your putts and end up in an scene from "Happy Gilmour".

Now, keep your elbows in just against your ribs and make sure your hands and     arms are in line with the putter head and the path to the ensuing cup.Make about    10 simulated putts using a stroke that is in line and one you feel is right for the distance you are from the hole. Get someone to critique your short putts from your friends to a local Pro,and make adjustments where needed.

Try some real putts, and in one flowing motion,elbows in,shoulders, hands and     arms in line with the club head and hole path.This will teach you how to use this   short putting setup technique. but use a back and front stroke that will give you     the right speed,accuracy and distance.There are many variables to putting properly. Use these tips to assist you in your short putting game.


Mark Grove