Golf_Digest_USA_-_May_2019

(Ben W) #1
may 2019 | golfdigest.com 19

GD Schools Play Your Best

Photographs by Chris Shonting

I


f you want to improve your putting, take advantage of
your hands. I know, I know. You’ve probably been told to
take your hands out of the stroke. But that doesn’t make
sense. You’ve been training your hands to perform precise, coor-
dinated movements even before you could walk, so why not let
them help you putt? I’ll explain how in a moment, but first un-
derstand that great putting is all about controlling the putterface.
If you can keep it square to the target longer, you’re going to roll
the ball in a lot more. Start by getting behind the ball and identi-
fying the line (above). Visualize the ball rolling on that line to the
hole, and then trace that line back to where your ball is at rest.
Once you do that, it’s time to make your new hands-on stroke.
Read on for my advice on how to do it. —with ron kaspriske

Hands-on Training


It’s the key to great putting


by mario guerra


GO FROM SHUT TO OPEN


▶ Here I’m demonstrating how my right hand
should move during the backstroke and
through-stroke (below). I’m exaggerating the
pattern so you can really see that the palm
points downward, which shuts the clubface
in the backstroke. It then points skyward in
the through-stroke, letting the face open.
This is crucial to keeping the face square
to the putting line as long as possible. Train
this movement before you take hold of the
putter, then re-create this feel when you
putt. This hand motion should be slight and
unhurried—not considerable and jerky.
Free download pdf