Golf is a challenging game that requires a combination of skill, technique, and patience. One of the most important skills to master in golf is putting. Putting is the final step to completing a hole, and it is crucial to get it right. Here are some tips that will help you improve your putting skills and take your golf game to the next level.
It's important to have a consistent putting routine. A routine ensures that your body is in the same position and your eyes are focused on the ball. Your routine should include a few practice swings, a glance at the hole, and a setup that's comfortable for you. Once you have established a routine, you can practice it until it becomes second nature, and you'll be able to execute it effortlessly.
Learn to read the greens. Reading the greens involves analyzing the slope, the grain, and the speed of the green. Slopes affect the direction of your ball, while grain affects the speed of your ball. Speed is essential to get your ball to the hole, and it's important to take note of the speed of the greens at different times of the day. Once you have a good understanding of the greens, you'll be able to predict how your ball will roll and make more accurate putts.
Focus on your stroke. A good putting stroke involves keeping your head still, your shoulders level, and your eyes focused on the ball. Your hands should be relaxed, and your grip should be light. The key to a good putting stroke is to make a smooth and consistent motion. You should try to avoid jerky movements or sudden stops as they can affect the direction and speed of your ball.
Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice, the better you'll get. You can practice putting by setting up an indoor or outdoor putting green, or by playing mini-golf with friends. You can also practice your putting stroke at home by using a mirror or by putting on a straight line. With consistent practice, you'll be able to improve your putting skills and take your golf game to the next level.
Improving your putting skills can make a significant difference in your golf game. A consistent routine, reading the greens, focusing on your stroke, and practicing regularly can help you become a better putter. With patience and perseverance, you'll be able to master the art of putting and enjoy the game of golf even more.
Now go out and put these putting tips to work and lower your handicap!
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]]>CBD is steadily becoming one of the worst kept secrets in golf.
You’ll undoubtedly have heard chatter on the PGA Tour news wheel when it comes to the product, which an increasing number of professionals are using to maximise their recovery, reduce anxiety and improve concentration.
But what exactly is CBD and which players are openly using it?
CBD is an acronym for cannabidiol, a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. The product does not contain THC, which is the psychoactive compound in marijuana that gives the high sensation.
THC is a banned substance on the PGA Tour, however, both the PGA’s Anti-Doping Program and even the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have removed CBD from their prohibited lists.
The benefits of the compound include heightened focus, reduced inflammation and pain and can promote better sleep and injury recovery. Thus far, there appears to be no negative side effects.
Naturally, for the top professionals who put great stress on their bodies through practice, tournaments and gym work every single week, CBD is proving a popular supplement to their performance.
Better sleep before early tee times, emotional regulation to stay calm in the face of adversity, optimising focus when heading to a playoff in a major and eliminating nagging injuries, aches and pains. These are all optimal scenarios that players want to achieve, and if it’s legal to do so – why not take CBD?
Of course, an element of caution must still be taken.
Matt Every was suspended from the PGA Tour for three months earlier this winter for violating its drug policy. The ban was for cannabis usage, despite Every claiming he has a prescription for it on medical grounds.
Every’s ban serves as a reminder of how meticulous Tour players must be when filtering what enters their body, and the PGA Tour warns players to use CBD “at their own risk”. They warn that some products may contain traces of THC, and thus players must place a premium on researching the available brands and ensuring their quality before partaking.
However, several big names have done their research and even signed partnerships with CBD companies – their brand names now popping up on visors and bags across the tournament field.
Without further ado, here are the golfing trailblazers who are staunch advocates of CBD. We take a look at their motivations for using CBD products and how it has impacted their recent performances:
For the man who conquered Augusta National twice in three years, CBD is the key to prolonging his successful career.
He is one of the most outspoken proponents of CBD on Tour, and has had his own team of doctors analyse exactly what he is taking to ensure it is right for his body and does not put him at risk of a failed drug test.
Bubba is now 41, and his inspiration for taking the supplement stems from the continued playmaking of his older peers.
Watson told CNN, “I see Phil Mickelson winning at 48, so I’ve got at least eight more years of having a shot of winning some tournaments.
“So for me it was about how I create longevity in the game of golf and spending time with my kids running around. CBD was easily a fit for me.”
The recovery benefits of CBD particularly resonate with Watson, who wants to maximise his pain relief and improve his sleep.
Speaking to TheStreet, Watson said: “The inflammation in my body, waking up with better sleep. They were the two things I focused on. With a 7-year-old and a 4-year-old in the house, and playing golf all day, I needed some energy fast.”
Watson has signed a partnership with a CBD company, and displays this affiliation on his playing visors.
McCarron is the number one ranked player on the PGA Champions Tour.
He has three Tour wins in 2019, playing in 26 events – only three of the top 100 ranked players have competed in more tournaments than him this year.
McCarron has now been using CBD products for nearly two years, during which he has exhibited enviable success and longevity.
Now, CBD usage benefits from heightened discussion and debate among the senior players, owing to a greater risk of bodily aches and pains, as well as the more relaxed drug testing processes for the over-50s.
McCarron, speaking with ESPN, revealed that he first gave CBD the green light after it drastically improved his sleep.
He said: “I went and tried it about two weeks later when I went home. I measure my sleep with a device called WHOOP. For the first time in about two years of wearing the device, I was taking the CBD oil, and I had fantastic sleep for seven days straight.”
McCarron also believes that CBD can effectively boost the performance of the average golfer.
He attests that CBD’s capacity to reduce anxiety out on the course is of great potential to those playing the sport recreationally. Be it first-tee nerves or slippery four-footers, McCarron sees CBD as a solution – particularly if golfers are turning to alcohol to calm their nerves.
Another man who is all-too-familiar with second-place finishes at his national championship is Phil Mickelson.
Now, Lefty is only rumoured to use CBD following a piece of footage taken from the 2019 Masters, where he appeared to ingest CBD oil during his second-round.
Mickelson’s use of CBD would certainly make sense, given its anti-inflammatory nature.
The five-time major champion has psoriatic arthritis and has even starred in advertisements for arthritis medicine.
Phil and long-time rival Tiger Woods are both well-known to have ongoing aches and pains – could CBD be what’s keeping them fit to tee it up?
Source: https://golftoday.co.uk/
]]>The first step is to align the clubface square to the target. Draw a line from the ball to the target. This is called the target line. Now place a club in front of your feet running parallel to the target line.
Notice that the club is not pointing at the target. It is pointing parallel left of the target line. Picture yourself standing on a railroad track. Your club is on one rail, the target line, and your feet are on the other rail. (Parallel left of the target line)
Make sure your shoulders, hips, knees and feet are all parallel to the club. Recognize the feeling of square alignment by looking at your target. [ top ] alignment | ball position | posture
Correct ball position is critical for making solid contact. With a short iron the ball needs to be centered in the stance so the club will contact the ball at the bottom the swing arc. As the club gets longer, the ball position moves forward toward the left heel. With the driver play the ball off the left heel guaranteeing that the club will be traveling on the upswing.
With the driver the ball is further forward in the stance or more toward the left heel. Also, the stance becomes wider as the clubs get longer.
Equally important is the distance the ball is away from the body. This is determined by our posture. If the ball is the correct distance away from the body, the spine will be nice and straight, the knees will be slightly flexed, and the arms will hang down naturally. [ top ] alignment | ball position | posture
Light grip pressure is the most important element of a good grip. It is important not to hold the club tight, causing excess tension in the hands and forearms. Tension kills the golf swing!!
Although it is difficult to measure grip pressure, think of it as if the grip is a tube of toothpaste with the cap off and you do not want to squeeze any toothpaste out of the tube. Hold the club just firm enough to control the club without causing tension in the forearms.
The most popular grip used among Tour players is the overlap grip (Also known as the Vardon grip) where the little finger of the right hand overlaps the first finger of the left hand.
The interlock grip is a good grip for people with short fingers. The little finger of the right hand Interlocks with the first finger of the left hand.
Another grip is the 10-finger grip where all ten fingers are on the club. This grip promotes a faster release through impact and is good for juniors and others who are looking for more strength. If you choose the ten-finger grip make sure to keep your hands close together so they can work as one unit. Regardless of which of these grip you choose, here are some helpful tips.
Left Hand:
Set the end of the grip under the palm pad and angle the shaft so it runs across the hand over the forefinger’s top joint. Close the hand so the thumb is slightly on the right side of the grip. (Not directly on the top of the shaft) After grounding the club, the “V” formed from the lines between your thumb and forefinger should point toward your right shoulder. Also, when you look down at the grip you should be able to see two knuckles.
Right Hand:
Position the shaft so it angles from the base of the little finger to the last knuckle of the index finger. Wrap the fingers around the shaft keeping the thumb slightly on the left side of the shaft (Not directly on top of the shaft). Like the left hand, the right hand’s “V” formed from the thumb and first finger should point to the right shoulder.
]]>Rather than grabbing your sand wedge for every chip shot, practice chipping with lower lofted clubs. Getting the ball rolling on the ground quickly leads to shots closer to the hole and more up and downs.
]]>Rather than grabbing your sand wedge for every chip shot, practice chipping with lower lofted clubs. Getting the ball rolling on the ground quickly leads to shots closer to the hole and more up and downs.
Presented by Kyle Weeks
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