Putting Tip of the Week

Courtesy of Joe Bernat, Wachesaw Plantation East Golf Academy

Let's first begin with the proper grip. Place your hands together, palm to palm and take a stroke. When you do so you will notice the only part of your body moving are your shoulders. The key is to have your shoulders and hands moving in unison.

Now, grip the putter in the same manner, palm to palm. You will notice that your left hand is slightly turned to the left. This will eliminate using the wrist. Putting should be made with the shoulders, not the wrists. For your ball position, take your normal putting stance and place a ball on the ground. Take a second ball and place it on the bridge of your nose with your head slightly down. Dropping the ball from the bridge of your nose will make contact with the ball on the green.

This technique is what we refer to as "eyes over the ball." With your eyes over the ball, the club head will come back in a straight line. The correct ball position is slightly forward of center.

Your putter blade must be a little forward to eliminate striking the ball on the upswing which in turn will create lift.