putting tempo

[phil lowndes]

my putting stroke is generlly quite good. However i can get a bit eratic with the tempo side of the stroke. What is the best way in ingrain a smooth and repeatable putting tempo. As always tips much apriecated cheers phil.

[LowPost42]

Re: putting tempo

Well, practice, practice, practice is a good start.

Go to your local music store and buy a metronome (www.activebass.com has a free online one). Set it slow, and practice your rhythm.

[GregJWillis]

Re: putting tempo

Be careful there, let your tempo set the metronome's not the otherway around. You have a natural rythem that you will find when you let everything relax and allow only the shoulders to rock the arms hands and club through a putt. Once you feel that tempo, it will not change for any distance of the shot. A 4 foot tempo is the same as a 40 footer. Once you get that rythem, figure out the timming on the metronome and set that value and keep it there. When you find yourself getting out of tempo, after a bad round and before the next round, play the metronome and reset you internal clock to it.

[bonzi_532]

Re: putting tempo

I agree with what was just said. You have a natural groove, and when you keep your stroke on tempo, distance shouldnt be a problem for putting. Another thing i find helpful on putts is to make them low pressure situations. The tenser i get, the tighter my grip, and the wackier my stroke. Just relax and putt the dang ball

[ph_kingston]

Re: putting tempo

I'll pinch someone elses tip here (thanks for whoever posted it first because it works for me). Spend some time on the practice green and once you're all lined up close your eyes before you begin the putting stroke. Believe me you'll feel every nuance of your stroke; where you're putting with your natural tempo and where you are fighting against it. It will seem strange at first but once you trust the feeling you'll be wonderfully surprised at how accurate your putting will be.

[gord962]

Re: putting tempo

This is one of my favourite drills. The best thing about having people putt with their eyes closed is that they will swing through the ball, not hit at the ball. This works for putts, chips and all the way up to full shots.