G
olfers who want to
improve their putting
need to work on mak-
ing a confident and consistent
stroke that keeps the putter
head low to the ground before
and after impact. Here are
three ideas to consider…
>> Setting up with your
weight slightly toward the tar-
get will give you the best
chance to release the putter
head very close to the ground.
The putter head after impact
should be just a few inches off
the ground; not knee or waist
high as you watch the putt.
>> When it comes to putting
style, I am a fan of the square-
to-square stroke. Most golfers
naturally think of a pendulum
motion when they putt. A
stroke that has equal length
back as it does through the ball
is typically a solid stroke.
Length of the stroke is a big
key in controlling distance. Al-
ways accelerating through the
putt is key to getting the ball to
the hole every time.
>> A good practice drill is to
draw a very thick line on your
ball. Aim the line on the ball at
your target. When you make
the putt you should still see a
solid line on the ball as it is
rolling end over end. If the line
remains solid though the putt
we know the ball was struck
square and has the best poten-
tial to roll out on the intended
line. The more you see the ball
rolling end over end, the more
your ball has a tendency to lip
in rather than lip out.
STROKE SAVERS
Following these putting tips will help your game on the greens • BY TOM BURLEY, PGA
PLAY LIKE THE PROS
GREAT PUTTERS ALL
HAVE ONE TRAIT
IN COMMON
T
he best putters on
tour always get the
ball to the hole. If you
are an avid golf viewer,
you will rarely see a tour
pro leave a putt short
from a short distance.
More often than not, if a
pro misses a short putt,
it has more than enough
speed to get to the hole.
It's simple: If the ball
doesn't get the hole, it
will never have a chance
of going in.
I have always been a
fan of delicate, yet ag-
gressive putting styles.
Brad Faxon, Isao Aoki,
Steve Stricker, and in his
prime Tiger Woods.
These greats all share
one thing in common:
they get their putts to
the hole, every time.
>>
Tom Burley is PGA Head
Golf Professional at Indian
Wells Golf Resort. He can be
reached at (760) 834-3823,
or CLICK HERE to email.
Great putters never
leave the ball short.
WHICH PUTTER MODEL
IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
W
hen choosing a putter,
it's important to know
that some putters are toe
weighted and some are face
balanced. Toe weighted put-
ters will help square the club
face up for golfers with open-
to-closed putting strokes,
while those with the pendu-
lum square-to-square strokes
will benefit more from face-
balanced putters.
CHOOSE WISELY
PRO'S CORNER
> C L I C K H E R E F O R D E TA I L S O N D A I LY G O L F C L I N I C S AT I N D I A N W E L L S O R C A L L T O M B U R L E Y AT * 7 6 0 + 8 3 4 ) 3 8 2 3
BOOK
A
TEE
TIME
