FAULT NO.44 Putting - poor distance control

Think back to the last time you three-putted. What let you down? Your accuracy, or your inability to stroke the ball the desired distance? I'm prepared to wager that nine times out of ten, it's the latter.

On any putt over, say, ten feet, getting the distance right is much more important than direction. Even a beginner can hit a putt reasonably close the right line, but the chances of him rolling the ball the right distance are slim. Without the experience of 'fee', he's much more likely to rap the putt miles past, or leace the ball woefully short of the hole.

To a much lesser extent, the same is true of more advanced players. Many golfers have a tendency to hit a putt 'hard' or 'soft' depending on its length. That's asking for trouble. The 'hard' and 'soft' approach is too difficult to judge; you'll never develop a consistent feel for distance. And without that, you'll always be leaving your first putt too far from the hole to be sure of getting the next one in.

FIX NO.44
Longer putt, longer stroke

One of the golden rules in putting is that the length of your stroke should always control the distance you hit the ball. A relatively long putt requires a relatively long stroke, and vice versa. But there's a clause that you must adhere to: no matter what the length of the putt, your tempo - that is, the time it takes to complete your stroke - should remain constant. Thus, the pace of your stroke on a short putt will appear appreciably slower than that on a longer putt.

Good putters who seem to regularly hit their putts the proper distance have great tempo. With this in mind, practice putting to random targets to increase your awareness for the length of your stroke. Place tees in the green at distances of 10, 20 and 30 feet from your ball, and hit putts to all three, varying the length of your backswing for each, and making your follow-through at least as long - if not longer - than your backswing.

Always try to hit a putt firmly enough that, should it miss, the ball will finish about 18 inches past the hole. That's the optimum speed for the ball to hold its line, yet still fall in if catches any part of the cup.

Finally, be aware that you must take into account the condition of the green and the nature of your putt - ie. uphill or downhill - when determining speed.