|
There may be probably a wider number of putting styles in comparison with every other golf swing. Nearly all golf instructors will most likely tell you that the putting stroke that regularly gets the ball in the hole will be the correct one for that individual. Anytime I hear the feet MUST be parallel to the putting line, in my opinion that kind of instruction is pretty narrow minded indeed. Jack Nicklaus utilized the open putting position and I would say it worked all right for him. Only recently I have gone with the open stance for short putts (within about ten feet), and so far I've enjoyed exceptional results. While using the open stance I can keep my head behind the golf ball, consequently allowing me to view the line much better without the need for shifting my head. For these short putts I can see my line all of the way to the hole, and it's only a matter of stroking the ball on that line. For long putts I don't get those same advantages. For this putting stroke to work, that being said, specific factors need to take place. 1. You actually have to utilize the pendulum stroke. This is a stroke where the putter face remains square with the ball throughout the entire stroke. I don't think one can possibly putt consistently in an open stance when the putter face leaves the square position at any time. Sooner or later on some putt, perhaps a necessary one, you won't get the face to necessary position and either push or pull that three-footer. Surely nothing destroys your self-confidence faster than anytime you let that happen. 2. Tuck the rear elbow. Using the open foot position you can support the right elbow with the body. That stability takes away one more potential thing which may go awry; that is, the more of your body that you can keep planted and solid the less which could go awry in the putting action. 3. Lead with the front hand. Definitely one of the down sides I have encountered using the open stance that I had to right is "popping" the ball. Since the ball is naturally going to be to the fore, my golf putter will have a tendency to get beneath the ball and elevate it off the surface, unquestionably something that will throw the putt off line. By leading with the left or front hand I am better able to keep the putter from rising throughout the golf ball. This approach certainly is the opposite of what several consider unbending golf fundamentals. But if you can consistently make what I feel are all of the modifications to make this approach work, you'll find the benefits that I have found can help you sink those short putts, those you should be sinking. A lot of what makes a successful putter is mental. Therefore often if you are convinced a new stance is making your putting better, that alone gives you confidence and you putting will improve. Read more about the mental aspect of putting, along with other articles on our website http://golfshortgames.com/. Jim O'Connell is an avid golfer and writer living in Chicago.
Related Articles -
better putting, stance in putting, open putting stance,
| 
