Start Shaving Strokes – Two Easy Putting Techniques That WORK

Has your flat stick been off lately?

Have you been missing more putts than you would like to?

Well say no more…

Every golfer, beginner or pro, knows how difficult putting is.  It is the hardest part of the sport, and always will be.  However, it is indeed something you can improve upon.

There are two major things YOU CAN DO to start saving strokes on the green.  These two things are simple, easy to do, and PROVEN to work for just about anyone struggling with their putting game.  The first is what I like to call the “6-inch/18-inch rule” or more simply said, the “6/18 rule.”  The next second is what I refer to as “Raw Feel.”

The 6/18 rule is simple.  Most golfers have tried something similar before, but the 6/18 rule is a little different.  It is, however, something that you will learn to master within just a few rounds.  This technique allows you to hold the club how you like, position your body how you feel is best, and most importantly stroke the ball in the way you feel comfortable.  With that being said, you do need to use all those different aspects and apply them to the 6/18 rule.

Photo via Flickr

So how do I actually do, or implement, this technique?  Well, it is easy enough for any player to do.  While on the green, and while reading your putt, you must draw an imaginary line from your ball straight towards the hole.  Too often do players start to draw this line as more of a ball path to the cup.  First, you want to figure out what would happen if you simply rolled the ball straight towards the cup.  Next, you want to then figure out the balls path to the hole.  However, to truly see the line you will need to work backwards.

Try imagining the ball coming out of the top side of the hole (depending on break) and coming back towards your starting position.  Now that you have your line you can pick your 6 and 18 spots.  On that original line, the one that went straight towards the hole, pick a spot in your mind that is about 6 inches away from your ball.  Next picture that ball path line again and pick a spot you plan to roll your ball over that is about 18 inches away from your ball.

With these two spots, you are able to start the ball on line almost every time.  The reason for that 6-inch spot is to judge whether you are going left of right of it.  This is to negate any chance of a strong unintended pull or push of a stroke.  The 18-inch spot is the actual read that you have made.  Roll the ball over that spot.  Be CONFIDENT, you picked that spot for a reason.  Roll the ball over that spot, and by utilizing my next technique, speed shall follow.

Speed, speed, speed…Pace is truly what putting is all about.  Even if you can read a green perfectly, you need to be able to control the speed of your roll.  This is where my Raw Feel technique comes into play.  Picture this, when a basketball player gets an open corner jump shot they do not hesitate to take it.  The player does not pump fake seven times, back off, or overthink what he or she is doing.  Putting is very similar.

At all levels, players overthink putting.  Especially pace.  Trust me here, I would not be preaching this if I did not use or believe it works myself.  After going through 6/18 process, step up to you ball, take ONE practice stroke, and then address the ball.  BE AN ATHLETE.  At any age you can naturally get a small ball close to a hole in the ground. Again, DO NOT OVERTHINK IT.  As of now, we are actually seeing many tour players take less and less practice strokes when putting.  I believe in our natural human instinct to perform.  Sure, take time lining your putt up and finding those 6-inch and 18-inch spots, but when its time to hit, just hit away.

Now I do not mean to say that the first time you ever try using this Raw Feel technique you’ll hole a 20 footer.  However, after a few rounds you will start to see that you do not need all these practice strokes, back offs, and other nonsense-like actions.

Try those two things out.  If you only want to trust one of them, trust the 6/18 rule.  However, I believe that both of those techniques implemented and utilized together work wonders.  You may think stepping up and hitting the ball is ludicrous, but it may work for you.  I have taken one or less practice stroke for everyone of my putts for the past year and I have seen tremendous improvement.  I have also seen an even greater improvement in putting thanks to my 6/18 rule.

Let me know what you think! Find me on Twitter @EvanSingleton33

Cover Photo via Flickr