Learn to become a better putter

Everyone wants to make more putts. Putting should be easy, honestly. The lower body does not move and the putter grip rarely moves more than 12 inches during a stroke.

Most golfers do not practice putting enough and certainly not as effective as they could.

•  Focus on speed first. When I was on the PGA Tour, my locker was next to Ben Crenshaw. Crenshaw is known for being one of the greatest putters, ever. I putted with Ben many times and asked him questions for years.  Ben would say, I focus mainly on speed for EVERY putt.

People three-putt because of poor speed, but their focus is on read. Golfers will knock the putt five feet by or short of the hole constantly. Roll putts from 30-40 feet and develop your touch and speed. Do this first and not even to a hole. Watch, feel, listen and observe the roll and what the ball does. Build images and feels that you can draw from for the course.

Bob Rotella says: “Human beings are wired in such a way that golfers would putt their best if they simply saw the target and reacted, rather than gave themselves too much conscious thought.

Putting in my mind is 80% art and 20% technique. It has been my experience most golfers are the opposite. I focus on putting like Steph Curry shoots a basketball. Target focus, React, Shoot it.

•  Spend time on putts from three to five feet. Pick a hole on the practice green and put a tee at four feet uphill, downhill, left to right and right to left. These tees would be each putt you practice from. Before you move to the next spot, you need to make at least four of five putts. Place a dime where you desire to roll the ball into the hole. This will train you to focus on a small target in front of the hole.

Aim your blade, then body. Develop a reactive, rhythmic routine. No conscious directions. Less is more. Create a mindset with no outcome orientation to take to the golf course with you!

  Jeff Coston has played the PGA Tour, Web.com and Champions Tour.  He is a multiple Pacific Northwest PGA Player of the Year and is in the PGA Hall of Fame.  Jeff can be reached for appointment year round by calling S360.201.4590. See  www.jeffcoston.com for more.