Three Ways to Beat’em

One of the most frustrating things in golf has to be missing short putts. I’m talking about putts under 6’ for the most part here, but particularly those inside of four. You hit a great approach to set up a short birdie . . . and then miss it. Or you make a great pitch or chip to save par . . . or even bogey . . . and it doesn’t go in. I’ve been thinking about that lately, and then got this exact question from Clint R., from Meridianville, AL. In obvious frustration, Clint asked:

“How do you teach people to putt? I seem to miss the shortest of putts.”

Well, Clint, I obviously can’t teach you to putt in a single column, but let’s focus on the short ones that are driving you crazy. If you can get comfortable and confident with those, you will find that all your putting success will be enhanced.

When we face any short putt, several things happen to get in the way of our success. First, because we feel like we “have” to make this, we naturally tighten up, which mostly manifests in a firmer hold on the putter, maybe even the proverbial “death grip” (appropriately named). That firmer hold is generally concentrated in the thumbs and forefingers, which then tightens up the forearms, shoulders and everything else. So the first tip is:

1. Lighten Up. When you take your grip on the putter, focus on the firmness, and feel like you are holding the putter in the fingers, with your thumbs only resting lightly as possible on the top of the putter. To see the difference, try this: while you are sitting there, clench your thumb and forefinger together and move your hand around by flexing your wrist – feel the tension in your forearm? Now, relax your thumb and forefinger completely and squeeze only your last three fingers in your hand and move it around again. See how much more you are able to move?? Actually, that little tip applies to all your shots, but particularly the short putts . . . or all putts. A light grip, with the only pressure in the last three fingers, sets up a smooth stroke and good touch.

The second thing that happens when we have a short putt is we often allow negative thoughts to creep in . . . “Don’t miss this” . . . “What if I miss it?” . . . “I have to make this” . . . all those put undue pressure on us and make it that much harder to make a good stroke. So, the second tip is:

2. Chill Out. Just allow yourself a break here. You have hit a great shot to get it this close, so allow yourself to believe that you are going to make this. Relax, shake out the nerves, and think only positive thoughts while you are waiting your turn to putt. And you know what? If you do miss it, it’s not the end of the world. It’s just one shot. So chill out and have fun . . . and make more short putts.

Finally, we often tend to get so focused on “just make a good stroke” that we get all wrapped up in mechanical thoughts. Forget those. Focus your vision intently and completely on the target. Most short putts are pretty darn straight, so it’s just a matter of hitting it into the back of the hole. My tip for this comes from a favorite movie, Mel Gibson’s “The Patriot”:

3. Aim small, miss small. Early in the movie, Gibson’s character took his two very young sons and several rifles and went to rescue his older son. He asked them, “Remember what I told you?” and the son replied “Yes sir. Aim small, miss small.” That’s great advice on short putts. Instead of focusing your eyes on the hole, pick a specific spec of dirt or grass in the back edge, or inside one lip or the other – on whatever line you want the putt to start. Don’t just look at “the hole” . . . focus intently on that very specific spot. That intensifies your visual acuity and allows your natural eye-hand coordination to work at its very best.

So, there you have the three keys to making more short putts:

1. Lighten up.
2. Chill out.
3. Aim small, miss small.

I hope this helps all of you make more of them.

Terry Koehler is "The Wedge Guy" and President of EIDOLON Golf- The Short Game Company.

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