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