Controlled Speed In Putting Equals More Putts Made

Once you can break 90 on a consistent basis, putting is statistically 43% of shots taken in a round of golf.  If you shoot 90, typically you will have 39 putts.  If you shoot 82, 35 putts, shoot 75, 32 putts and to shoot 70 you will have around 30 putts per round.

However, on the PGA Tour you will find that most players average less than 43% of their shots taken with a putter.  What does this mean?  Averaging less than 43% of your shots taken with a putter means your a good putter.

Calculating this stat is very simple.  Take the total number of putts and divide it by your total score for the round.  Try it to see if putting is a strength or weakness in your game.

If you consistently average more than 43% of your shots taken with your putter, it is probably because of 3-putts.  Eliminating 3-putts is the key to becoming a better putter.  Controlling the distance is the most important factor in putting better, not having perfect direction.

Here are some quick tips to learn how to control distance.

#1 - Acceleration.  Most bad putters take the putter back to far and decelerate to compensate their long back stroke.  To improve use the following method 36-64.  Learn to take the putter back half as much as you follow through to guarantee you  accelerate during the hit of the putt.  Therefore, 36% back swing and 64% follow through.

 #2 - Always Aim High.  On putts outside of 15 feet never let the ball cross in front of the hole.  If the putt breaks to the left, aim to the right enough that if the putt passes the hole it will miss on the right side of the hole.  Why is this important?  The ball will always be going toward the hole, never away from the hole.  Once the ball starts traveling away from the hole you have made the second putt longer.  By missing on the high side of the hole the ball is always moving towards the hole and getting closer.

Work on these two tips and you will see a tremendous difference in your ability to control the distance on every putt!