One-on-One Putting Session
Four Phase Approach
Although each session will be tailored to your specific needs, each session is always comprised of four basic phases. And more importantly, each phase is dependent on and interrelated to the prior phase. The four phases of the session are: 1.) alignment and stroke analysis, 2.) putting mechanics, 3.) individual setup, and 4.) tempo, stroke balance, and distance control.
Alignment and Stroke Analysis
Back in 1997, Mike Shannon shared an important discovery of alignment with me. After using our fitting system for several weeks, he began noticing people’s inability to align their putter. Far/near sightedness, eye dominance, eye triangulation, and body and head position all contribute to misalignment. More importantly, he discovered there was a relationship between certain characteristics of a putter and the impact these characteristics had on a person’s alignment. The degree of offset in a hosel, the degree of loft in the face, alignment markings on the putter, ball position, and body position could be adjusted to improve putter alignment. Although there may not be such a thing as a magic putter, there is an ideal type of putter for each individual.
Additionally, there is a direct relationship between a person’s alignment and putting stroke. Misalignment creates compensations and complications in the putting stroke. Although you are probably unaware of your compensation, you have seen them in the stroke of your playing partners.
I have found that 8 out of 10 people will align their putter left or right of the target hole from just 12 feet. Surprisingly, 3 to 4 of the eight people will misalign their putter at least 7 inches left or right of the target hole. The objective of phase one is to identify alignment tendencies and take the necessary steps to correct it through body positioning, identifying putter type, and identifying the ideal ball position. Improved alignment will allow you to simplify your stroke.
Putting Mechanics
Amazingly, most people have never received a comprehensive putting lesson. And yet, one comprehensive analysis of your putting should: 1.) identify the key flaws in your putting, 2.) teach proper mechanics, and 3.) develop proper practice drills to reinforce proper mechanics. There is an easier and more consistent method of putting. A method that is based upon a simple shoulder rotation and a single-plance stroke. But, as I noted earlier, each phase is dependent upon the prior phase. Sound mechanics are dependent upon proper alignment.
In phase two of the session, I teach the foundations of a sound mechanical stroke. I call it Four-Point Putting. Along with a quiet torso, spine, and head, there are four keys points that must move together to create a simple and consistent path of the putter. And nothing is more effective at providing response and training the "feel" of all parts working in sync that the T-Bar Stroke Training Aid demonstrated in the picture above.
Individual Setup
The ojective of phase three is to identify a person’s individual setup. Factors such as, shoulder position, hip position, stance, spine angle, and ball position, both forward/backward in the stance and distance from the toe line, are determined. I use a fitting putter, which allows changes in length and lie angle, to help identify some of these factors. It is normally during this phase that you choose to have a custom PING Redwood putter built, or you may choose to modify your existing equipment. The seven variables of a putter include; 1.) shaft length, 2.) hosel configuration (offset vs. non-offset), 3.) lie angle, 4.) loft angle, 5.) putter balance (toe hang vs. face balance), 6.) head weighting, and 7.) grip weighting. I will customize each variable of your putter to compliment your stroke. Or, you may choose to have me modify your existing putter for length, lie angle, loft angle, and weighting. Based upon your putter, I may be limited in some of the steps we can take.
Tempo and Stroke Balance
The fourth phase is devoted to fine-tuning your putter and developing: 1.) all of the constants in your putting stroke, 2.) developing a sense of tempo, and 3.) developing a practice routine to build the mechanics, tempo, and distance control. There is nothing more important than consistent tempo in a putting stroke. Good, consistent tempo allows a person to repeat the same motion.
There are two main facets to a single putt; distance and accuracy. I place a premium on distance control because most of us are not knocking our approach shots inside of 10 feet. Eliminate those three putts! The secret to distance control is to discover your tempo and correlate it to the length of your stroke. Phase four of my session is devoted to execution, tempo, stroke balance, and developing a practice plan. You will learn what to practice, and how to practice with a purpose. You can improve your performance!
