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Want To Make Putts?
By Jonathan Yarwood
Want to make more putts!?
[2] Who doesn’t? A common thing I encounter is that people cannot read greens or putts correctly. As you can see in the photos, all putts are actually straight! The slope takes the ball off the line that you choose, but mentally you are thinking that the putt you are hitting is actually straight at your target, not necessarily the hole.
Let me explain. The amount of break is dictated by the slope, speed of the greens and how hard you hit it. When looking at a putt, get down low behind it. If it is a long putt, split the topography up into thirds and make a road map to the hole. Remember, everyone is guessing to a degree, even tour players.
[3] But the more you practice reading putts, the better. I like people to read the putt, then pick an aiming point to one side of the hole. Let’s say it breaks a ‘hole’ to the left. Then the aiming point is an imaginary hole to the right of the real hole. Then simply stand over the putt and feel the distance. There is a point where the slope pulls the putt off the straight line that you can see, this is the apex point. It is quite a good idea to get an apex point in mind too, as this helps to gauge how hard to hit the putt. Then simply, roll it down and see how good your guesswork was! It will get better, the more you do it.
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Jonathan Yarwood
www.golfjy.com [5]
(941) 322.1465
Jonathan Yarwood was originally from the United Kingdom, but relocated to the United States in 1996. After a few years as one of David Leadbetter’s senior teachers, Jonathan branched out on his own and has enjoyed an extensive career with a track record that speaks for itself: He has coached, 2 US Amateur Champions including this years champion Ben An, 2 US Girls Champions and 1 US Open Champion in Michael Campbell in 2005. That is 5 USGA champs in 10 years, which is a record in itself. Add to that the four number one juniors, 3 AJGA players of the year, a collegiate number one, a male and female nationally ranked number one as well as a winner on every major professional tour, you have a record to rival the best. Jonathan was voted a Top 20 teacher under 40 years old by Golf Digest in 2006, after 5 straight years of being in the best teacher in state rankings for Florida.
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