Putting Series Finale - Eye Positioning

By David Schreyer
dschreyer@canongategolf.com
Canongate Performance Centers

Over the last couple of months, we have discussed various ways to improve your putting. Sadly, this series comes to a close with this fourth and final putting tip from David Schreyer. If you missed any of the previous tips, or just need a refresher, make sure to click on the links at the bottom of this post to read the tips from each of the previous newsletters.

In our last putting series article, we discussed using the line on the ball to help you aim the putter. The mastery and usage of that tip leads me into this week’s discussion, the fourth and final tip in our Putting Series. A lot of the time I hear complaints from my students that the line on the ball never looks as if it is aimed correctly. This distorted view can present a problem when and if the ball is aimed correctly.

This leads us to the old tip of “positioning your eyes directly over the ball.” As an instructor, I often have to tell my students that having your eyes over the ball is not a foolproof standard for everyone. As it was explained to me by Dr. Farnsworth, a noted putting instructor and ophthalmologist, for the most part, we can see straight-on. However, from a side position, you have to use your peripheral vision. Because everyone's eyes are shaped differently, the sides of the eyes can sometimes distort the vision. This explains why most of the time, golfers will read puts from behind the ball, then upon stepping over the ball see more or less bread.

So, how do you fix it?
* Find a straight putt
* Aim the line on the ball into the middle of the hole
* Adjust the putter line to the ball line
* Take your stance

If the line looks straight, you can assume that your eyes are in the proper spot. If, by any chance, the line doesn't look straight you may need to play around with your eye positioning.

How do you adjust your eye positioning?

If the line is close to the center you can dial it in by moving your head a little to the right or left. Raising your chin up or down might also be the answer. Some times ball position will help out, but if the line isn't even close you will probably have to move closer or further away.

The normal assessment is that if the ball looks like it is aimed to the right side of the hole, you are to far away. If it looks like it is aimed to the left, you are too close to the ball. We have all heard the old adage that we need to get our eyes over the ball…but I would estimate that probably 90% of the players on the PGA Tour do not put with their eyes over the ball. Most of the players’ eye lines rest just inside the ball (around the heel) of the putter, while some players are even more off line than that. J ustin Leonard almost always lines up quite a ways away from the ball, and he is an amazing putter.

Take Away: If you are unable to see a straight line when you are standing over the ball, you are not going to make many putts. Adjust your eye line until you can see the straight line from your putter to the cup!

A Message from David: "Good luck! I hope this series has made you a stronger putter. If you need additional assistance improving your game, I would encourage you to contact the Performance Center in your area! You'd be amazed at what a few lessons can do to shave points off of your score! See you on the Green."

Putting Series Archive
Buying the Proper Putter
Matching Your Grip to Equipment
Aligning Your Putts

PERFORMANCE CENTER CONTACTS:

The Woodlands Performance Center
Houston
(281) 863-1424

Canongate Performance Centers
Atlanta
(770) 880-0788

Put Your Grip in Neutral to Get Your Swing in Gear!

By Allen J. Riley

Woodlands Performance Center

Many of us feel that to help release and square our clubface at impact we need a strong (trailing hand somewhat under the club) grip. In truth, one of the best ways to square the clubface and get maximum power from your swing is what we call a “neutral grip.” See the images below to view the correct way to "neutralize" your grip.

As we see in the image to the right, the club is held rather horizontally across the left hand. The back of the leading (target side) of the hand is facing parallel to the target line.

In the second image we see the placement of the trailing hand on the club. The palm of the hand faces parallel to the target line.

The last image illustrates that the leading hand’s thumb is held slightly to the trailing side of the grip. The trailing hand’s thumb is just on the lead side of the grip.

By following the instruction above you will end up with a grip that promotes a full controlled, natural release of the club through impact, leading to straighter ball flight with the appropriate trajectory.

Putting Series Part #3 - Aiming the Putter

By David Schreyer
dschreyer@canongategolf.com
Canongate Performance Centers


In part one of this series on putting we discussed the two types of putting: (1) the Square to Square method, and (2) the Arc method. In part two of this series, we discussed the proper grip usage, based on your method of putting.

This week we are going to keep it very simple and talk about aim. The USGA allows all golfers to draw a line on our golf balls; however, so many players I teach don't take advantage of this concession. If you do not draw a line around your ball with a sharpie pen or purchasing golf balls that manufacturers (like Titleist, pictured below) are now creating with a line on them, you are throwing away strokes.

This is the biggest NO-BRAINER in golf. Make sure you put a straight line on the ball. Be very meticulous about where you aim the line when you place your ball. Then aim the line on your putter to the line on the ball. It’s a simple correction, but one that many golfers find so effective. It almost assures that you will aim your putter correctly. Aiming the putter correctly is absolutely mandatory for three footers. This method will also help you start your ball online more often on the longer putts as well.

Coming up in a future issue:
Your eye line and whether or not your eyes are really supposed to be over the ball when you putt.

The Woodlands Performance Center

Houston
281-863-1424

Canongate Performance Centers
Atlanta
770-880-0788

On Your Arches for a Balanced Swing

By Allen Riley

Woodlands Performance Center


Our perception of where our balance point should be during our golf swing is many times shaped by other sports we have played during our life. In most sports a “ready “position is usually with our weight slightly forward on the balls of our feet. In the past, we believed that most great golfers started with their weight on the balls of their feet with the weight shifting to the back heel during the back swing. On the downswing the weight went back to the balls of our feet, continuing to the left heel as the swing completed.

Recently sports scientists placed great golfers on pressure plates that measure exactly where the weight is distributed throughout the swing. They found that the weight of these great ball strikers is primarily on the arches at address, during the backswing, and at impact! The balance did not move off of the arches until the swing was nearly completed.

So, how can you incorporate this balanced approach to your swing?

A great way is to practice your starting position by standing on a 4X4 post. As illustrated to the left by golf professional Sarah Butler, the key is to take your address position with the feet squarely on their arches on top of the board.

As shown to the right, you must maintain your balance by hovering your club 4 inches off the ground.

It may be a little tricky at first, but this drill promotes great balance and posture in your setup!

Buying the Perfect Putter - Putting Series #1

By David Schreyer
dschreyer@canongategolf.com
Canongate Performance Centers

Putting is simply the most important part of the game. It is also the most neglected. I have seen this from beginners to tour players. It sometimes seems that because the physical challenge isn't as great in putting, golfers just wait to see what their outcome will be. Instead, let’s start working on our putting. To get started correctly on this journey to become better putters, let’s first consider which type of putter might be right for you. There are basically two types of putters that the manufacturers produce these days.

The first type of putter we will discuss is the Face Balanced putter. To determine the type putter you currently have, find the balance point of your putter. Balance the putter on one finger. This point is usually in the lower portion of the shaft. Note if the face stays parallel to the ground; if so, you have a face balanced putter. This putter is designed so that the club face will swing in a perpendicular angle to the target line. This method is also called “Square to Square” or the Dave Pelz method of putting. As the putter is taken back in the back stroke, the blade of the putter will stay square to the line. Since the fulcrum position (center of your body) or the swing point does not move, the club face will slightly close. So that means on the return to the impact position, the face will square as it moves back to the fulcrum point. Then, as the club paces the impact position and moves up the through swing, the face will continue to stay square to the target line, causing the opposite reaction. The face will then open because the club has moved forward of the fulcrum position.

The second type of putter discussed would be the Toe -Thrower. Apply the same balance point test and you will notice the toe of the putter will point downward in varying degrees. This type of putter will allow the toe of the putter to pass the heel of the putter much easier in the stroke. This method is called the Arc Method. Instructors such as Pat O'Brien and Stan Utley teach this method. In this stroke the toe of the putter slightly swings open to the target in the back stroke, aligning the shaft and the face position. As the club swings back to the fulcrum position, the shaft and face remain in alignment and the face will square. After the impact position, the toe of the face will release past the heel (but notice the face and the shaft are still in alignment.)

Now you need to determine which of these two methods is your natural tendency: the Square-to-Square” method or the Arc method. Then apply the proper putter to the proper method. If you determine you have the wrong putter type, it might be time to invest in a new putter. I usually will suggest matching the putter to your stroke rather than changing your stroke to match your putter. What we do naturally is always best. When you are on the 18th hole trying to win a buck off your buddy, we want you making a natural motion.

Making the Tough Shots - Knock Down/Punch Shot

By Kevin Kirk
Senior Director of Instruction
The Woodlands Performance Center

As golfers, we are trying to control three ball flight variables

• Distance
• Direction
• Trajectory

The knock down/punch shot is a shot played at a lower trajectory than normal and usually used in one of three distinct situations.
1) Playing into the wind.
2) Playing a shot designed to land short and roll up.
3) Playing a shot to get out of trouble.

There are two basic techniques that can successfully create a shot with low trajectory. Either technique will work with practice, although most golf instructors would encourage you to consider using Technique One when possible, due to the fact that it is simple, predictable, and requires less effort and change from your normal swing. Both techniques should be developed and practiced before you attempt them during play or competition.

Technique One – Reduced Club Head Speed
Technique one uses reduced club head speed and reduced loft to lower the ball flight. The following example illustrates this technique.

Problem: Bob the Golfer is confronted with a shot of 150 yards. From a good lie, in ideal conditions, Bob normally uses a full swing 7 Iron. In this particular situation, the wind is gusting in Bob’s face, so he wants to play a lower trajectory shot that will penetrate the wind.

Solution: Bob should do the following

• Position the ball in the center of his stance.
• Select a 5-6 Iron
• Use ½ to ¾ of a normal backswing
• Swing the club forward to a full finish

Using this technique, Bob is allowing the reduced club head speed and reduced loft to lower the shot trajectory instead of fighting the club and challenging the swing.

Technique Two – Altering the Starting Position
Technique two requires the golfer to alter the starting position and swing to create the impact conditions necessary for a lower shot trajectory. The following example illustrates technique two.
Problem: Bob is facing the same 150 year shot into the wind, this time however the ball is in a lie that requires a steeper angle of attack to hit the ball cleanly. Examples of this shot would be when the ball is sitting down in the rough or in a divot.

Solution: Bob should do the following

• Position the ball in the back half of the stance
• Place 60% of his weight on the lead foot at address
• Select a 6 or 7 iron
• Use ¾ of his normal backswing length
• Keep his weight in his lead food throughout the swing.

Using this technique, Bob uses the altered starting position and weight distribution to allow a steeper angle of attack during the swing, resulting in the impact conditions necessary to create the lower trajectory ball flight. (Note that in many cases the post swing impact portion of the swing is greatly reduced due to the ground interrupting the motion of the club.

Always remember, if you need assistance on your golf swing, tough lies, or any other aspect of your game, there are many excellent golf instructors who would be more than willing to work with you. Please don’t hesitate to contact them.

The Woodlands Performance Center
Houston
281-863-1424

Canongate Performance Centers
Atlanta
770-880-0788

Practice Doesn't Make Perfect!

By Lori Tatum
LPGA
The Woodlands Performance Center

Practice doesn’t make perfect…only perfect practice makes perfect! What does perfect practice look like, you may ask.

When going to the golf course to practice, you should have a goal in mind. A specific goal which is based on either short term or long term goals for your game. If you are having trouble figuring out a goal, ask yourself where you could have improved during your last round. Keeping statistics would be very helpful for this process.

Examples of a few good goals would be:
· Improve my putting distance control
· Improve my aim on short putts
· Be committed on 75% of my shots
· Use my pre-shot routine on every shot.

LPGA Founding, and Hall of Fame Member, Patty Berg stated "There is nothing in this game of golf that can't be improved upon - if you practice." Fifty percent of your practice should assimilate a golf round - vary your targets, clubs, and lies, just as if you were on the golf course. And, make sure to use your pre-shot routine.

Every shot you hit during practice should have a target and each shot should be slightly different so as to assimilate your time on the golf course to your practice on the range. Have your bag close to you, like it was on the cart and pull a different club for each shot. Walk to the bag after your shot and pull another club. It is also helpful to vary your lies.

We don't play fantasy golf on the course, where all the lies would be flat and perfect. Therefore, we shouldn’t practice as such! My hope is that you take this quote from Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson and make it your own, "Your past is not your future." One way to make that happen is to practice with a specific goal in mind and practice how you play. Hopefully these tips will help you to make your practice perfect!