| Drive for show, putt for dough. Relax | | | | minutes per practice session is required |
| the nerves, trust your line. Eyes over | | | | for most golfers to drop strokes |
| the ball, smooth take away. Accelerate | | | | quickly. Here are some tips for finding |
| through the ball, and… | | | | right training aids or a combination of |
| Klinka tinka tinka—yes! The sweet | | | | training aids to maximize your results: |
| sound of a birdie putt, or even a | | | | 1. Look for training aids that allow you |
| 6-footer for par, dropping into the cup. | | | | to easily see the following things: |
| It's a great feeling, especially if you | | | | square clubface, shoulder alignment, eye |
| just finished the 18th for a personal | | | | placement (over the ball), foot |
| best round. Or if you just won 5 skins | | | | alignment, and stroke path. Some devices |
| to make your buddies shell out some | | | | use mirrors, some use low-power lasers. |
| serious coin. A hot day with the putter | | | | Most training aids have physical |
| can make you feel like a million bucks. | | | | barriers that keep the putter on the |
| Actually, in the case of a PGA tour pro, | | | | right path during the stroke. |
| it can earn you a million bucks. | | | | 2. For eye alignment you can always do |
| Too bad that for the average golfer | | | | this: line up the putt and address the |
| those days seem to come so infrequently. | | | | ball as if you were going to hit the |
| The average Joe uses up anywhere between | | | | putt. Then take a ball from your pocket, |
| 32 and 40 putts per round, while the | | | | put it between your eyes, and allow it |
| best pros average around 30. Tour pros | | | | to drop straight down. Wherever the ball |
| make just under 90% of their putts from | | | | lands is where your eyes are lined up. |
| 4-5 feet, while average guys make around | | | | They should be directly over the target |
| 50%. That's a lot of shots to give up! | | | | ball. |
| Think about this: if you are a thirteen | | | | 3. Whatever device(s) you choose, make |
| handicapper, your average score is | | | | sure that they are not too large and/or |
| around 85, and you average 36 putts per | | | | awkward. My experience is that you don't |
| round, then 42% of your shots are putts! | | | | use the device unless it is convenient. |
| And what do you spend most of your time | | | | 4. Follow through is also important, so |
| doing at the range? If you're like most | | | | make sure that the training aid gives |
| guys (and gals) then you spend most of | | | | you feedback for the whole stroke. You |
| your time beating balls with your driver | | | | need to see that your stroke path is |
| or mid-irons. Yet, according to the | | | | straight and putter face releases |
| numbers you should be spending almost | | | | properly after contact, otherwise you |
| half of your time on the putting green. | | | | will have consistency problems. |
| So how can busy people with little time | | | | 5. Use the golf training aid |
| for golf practice still improve their | | | | consistently, every time you practice. |
| putting game without doubling practice | | | | You need to groove the stroke and you |
| time or drastically reducing the amount | | | | can't do that unless you keep at it. |
| of time spent practicing their full | | | | Also, if possible, use the device at |
| shots? Golf training aids are the | | | | home or at the office when you have a |
| answer. Many training aids exist that | | | | spare minute. This extra practice time |
| can quickly improve your putting stroke | | | | really helps. |
| and green reading without spending hours | | | | I wish you good luck and a hot blade! |
| on the putting green. Just 10 to 15 | | | | |