| QUESTIONS
"Doesn't the push drill make you start to "push" your putts? How does
this drill work when putting normally? I thought that you weren't supposed to be right
hand dominant when you putted? Won't the leading hand be stronger leading or pushing the
putt?" - K. T. of St. Claire Shores, MI.
These are great questions and very helpful for me as an instructor to get feedback like
this from my students or readers. It is vitally important that the reader both
understands the purpose of these drills, and does them correctly - otherwise the goal is
defeated.
I'll answer these questions one at a time.
1. "Doesn't the push drill make you start to "push" your putts?"
It is important while doing the push drill that you use a ruler or something that will
help you push the putter "straight" through. The toe of the putter must
stay an equal distance from the ruler at all times. This way the putter-head is
always on line. Also important aspect is that the face of the putter must at all
times be at 90 degrees to the ruler in order for the ball to roll on the exact line you
want.
2. "How does this drill work when putting normally?"
A "drill" is to be used only on the practice green so you can train yourself
to repeat it competently over and over. Later when you are on the course you do not have
to think of the drill - you will automatically have a good putting stroke. Once you have
chosen the line you can keep focused only on the speed needed to hit the putt, something
all great putters do.
3. "I thought you weren't supposed to be right hand dominant when you
putted?"
You will note in last week's tip I say that the push drill is to help you feel the arm
and hands "kinesthetically" through the putting stroke and that the objective is
to feel no breakdown between the arms and hands. This means that there is no
"dominant hand or arm" when you putt. By doing the push drill you will
finally feel the big muscles in the shoulders and upper back controlling the putting
motion, thus eliminating the small muscles of the arms and hands which are the real
"killers" in the putting stroke.
Remember that each of the push drills needs to be practiced (either at home or on the
putting green) for at least 21 consecutive days in order to ingrain a completely automatic
motion.
Good Luck and great putting!! |