By: Bobby Eldridge

“A ‘gimme’ can best be defined as an agreement between two golfers, neither of whom can putt very well.” ~Author Unknown

I love it... so true, isn't it? We all struggle with our putting. I can't tell you how many times I hear “I putted so poorly today. If I had putted halfway decent I would have shot my best round ever!”

But... every time I pass the practice putting green where I teach, ALMOST NOBODY is practicing before they tee off. But here’s the thing- every single professional golfer spends at least 15 minutes to 1 hour on the practice putting green before they tee off.

Now is the time to get serious about your putting. Here's a simple, but extremely effective way to practice your putting "touch" (which is SO important in putting).

Most golfers I come across could improve so much if they would work on their "touch" or "feel". Assuming that the greens you are used to putting on are slower than your garage floor, you can get an edge on your buddies by driving down to Home Depot and buying a twelve-foot long strip of indoor-outdoor carpeting. This is where the fun begins.

After you have laid the carpet out, mark a spot every three feet. If you can spend the next couple months rolling a few putts everyday on the carpet, you will not believe what it will do for
your touch and that's no joke. OK, here is a simple exercise that will take a few minutes to complete while your coffee is brewing in the morning.

Putt three balls to the first line (without) any of the balls rolling past the line. If you hit one or more balls past the first line, start over. Putt three balls to the first line until you stop all three short of the line. Next, putt three balls to the next line without any of the balls going past the second line.

Continue this exercise until you have stopped all three balls short of the end of the carpet. This exercise might take a month before you can complete this exercise without rolling any balls past your target. Be patient, your touch will come to you before you know it!

 

Make me couple of promises, DO NOT THINK ABOUT YOUR STROKE!!! Life is too short. All I want you to think about is DISTANCE. I don't care if it takes you two weeks to get past the first line, hang in there. I promise you if you do this for the next 60 days you will play the BEST golf of your life on the putting greens.

Sincerely yours,

Bobby Eldridge - Head Professional, PurePoint Golf

 

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