Think Of A High Draw On Putts

So many of the golfers I teach -- whether tour players or weekend amateurs -- become much too concerned with the preciseness of the putting line. In fact, they often tell me they think of a thin line on the green tracking from the ball to the cup. The more they try to hit the ball on that line, the more tense they get. This prevents them from making a smooth, relaxed stroke, and the ball rarely stays on the intended path.

Instead, I tell them to envision a path from the putter to the cup as a series of holes. That image helps you visualize an overall route to the target, and it allows you to relax and let the stroke flow. When you set up to the putt, think of hitting the ball into the first cup only inches away. For distance control, think of the actual cup. This takes the pressure off and makes putting easier.

FLICK, a longtime Golf Digest Teaching Professional and PGA Golf Professional Hall of Famer, worked with hundreds of amateurs and tour players including Jack Nicklaus.