Golf Putting Tips For Long Putts

Golf Putting Tips for Long Putts When we reach the green we are rarely faced with one ‘short’ putt (usually defined as within 8 feet). So we need to get our first putt within 8 feet to try and avoid the dreaded 3-putt. But what is the key to getting our first putt close every time?

With longer putts the most crucial element is PACE but how do you control PACE? Of course you need to read the line of the putt correctly, but even if you pick the correct line and then don’t judge the pace of the putt correctly, you’re likely to hit a poor putt.

Remember that any object (including a golf ball) slows down as the gravity takes over and it will turn more (or less) if the pace is not right.

Judging pace comes with experience, but even if you can judge it correctly, you need to be able to CONTROL the pace when you strike your putt.

Here is some great golf putting tips which will help you control the pace better.

Your back swing and follow-through should be the same length To practice this start by placing some tee pegs into the green approx 1M (3 feet) apart.

Now swing your putter from the centre of the tee pegs ensuring you touch both tee pegs – i.e. swing the putter the same distance back and through. Vary the distance between the tee pegs but make sure the length of your backswing is the same length as your follow through. Finally repeat this with some practice balls just working on the length of your swing each time.

It’s actually OK to have a slightly longer follow-through, but never a shorter followthrough – this will mean you are decelerating the putter giving a poor strike.

Ensure your tempo is consistent If you swing the club at different speeds you will get different results every time you putt. A great golf putting tip to help you with this is to place two cushions on the floor and simply hit each cushion in turn like a pendulum or metronome. Increase the distance so each swing will take slightly longer, but ensure you move the putter at the same speed back and through on each practice stroke. As you does this drill just count in

your mind 1-2, 1-2, 1-2? When the distance between the cushions increases, so will the length of time it takes to count 1-2 in your mind.

Control distance by changing the length of your swing This is hard to do under pressure, so a great putting tip to help you with this is to 100% relax the muscles in your arms and keep them relaxed. Then simply rock the shoulders back and forth varying the length of the swing to control the distance. Trust your swing and let the putter head do the work…

A final thought when practicing this golf putting tip is to close your eyes and take some practice swings. Really focus on keeping your grip pressure consistent especially as you strike the ball. It’s so easy to tense up when you’re hitting the ball, especially when you’re under pressure! This can bring small muscles into play that will affect your putt – this is another key to good putting – leave the small muscles out of the equation since they are harder to control..

As with all things related to golf there are rarely any immediate fixes! You need to invest some practice time working on these, but the results will start to come very quickly.

As with all golf tips you may find some tips work better than others, so get onto the practice green and try them before taking them onto the course.

I really hope some (or all) of this golf putting tips will help you improve your distance control and get the ball close first time every time. Let me know by posting your comments below, I’d love to hear from you.

However this is just the tip of the iceberg!

Our Golf Putting Lessons DVD contains a wealth of information in full length lessons covering: Long putts  Reading greens  Putting psychology CLICK HERE to find out about Golf in Hamburg