Putting distance control

[DanPacella]

Does anyone have any distance control tips or tricks?  I either three putt or have to run one in from four or six feet for a two putt every time I have a long first putt.  My poor putting costs me at least 5 strokes a round, which would put me down in respectable handi-cap land.  And I kinda feel like not being able to putt makes long driving look less relevant.

Thing is that I'm not going to practice my putting other than five to fifteen minutes before a round.  That might disqualify me from ever being a decent putter...but there are guys I play with on weekends that don't have a green to go practice on during the week, either, and a few of them putt extremely well.     

I put a line on my ball and line it up before I get over it, thinking that this will eliminate a distraction and allow me to commit to focusing on distance control when I'm over the ball.  But then I don't know what happens...short...long... 

[Lisa Launch It Joyce]

I never thought the day would come when LDers are talking about putting! LOL

Here's a distance control drill I use. My dad is a PGA Pro and has all his students use it too.

I line up 6 balls in a straight line, the first 2 feet from the cup, the second 2 feet from the first and so on. By having the balls relatively close to eachother, it helps control the backstroke, and give you better feel on the follow through.

When you say you put a line on your ball, are you talking about spinning it? In which case, that is a great thing to do. I spin all my balls, including the ones I just use for practice.

Good Luck!

Lisa

[Wig]

Dan PM sent

[Chris]

Butch Harmon teaches to take the putter back and follow through the same amount.  If you take the putter back 6 inches from the ball your follow through should go 6 inches past the ball.  The putting stroke is a smooth, slow, continuous motion.  By using this technique and varying the "backswing" and follow through you can control your putting distance very easily.  The break and speed of the greens obviously changes the distance a 6 inch take away and follow through will produce, but you can determine your distances on the practice green before your round.  I have found under standard conditions, well maintained greens and a flat putt, your takeaway distance in inches will equal your putt length in feet.  A 6 inch takeaway and follow through with a slow smooth stroke will yield a 6 foot putt.  Make sure you do not decelerate as you approach the ball.  Lots of people take the putter back too far and try to slow the stroke down before they strike the ball.  It is impossible to have distance control if you are decelerating at impact.  Try this....it works. 

Chris