In our previous posts, we’ve covered various aspects of improving your short game, including wedge play, How do I improve my lag putting to avoid 3-putts? Today, we’re focusing on a crucial element that ties all these skills together: developing a better feel on the greens. Mastering this aspect can significantly elevate your performance and consistency.
Understanding ‘Feel’ in Golf
In golf, ‘feel’ refers to your ability to sense and control the subtleties of your shots, particularly around the greens. It involves a combination of touch, touch, and intuition, allowing you to execute delicate shots with precision. Developing a keen feel is essential for chipping, pitching, and putting, as it enables you to judge distances, slopes, and green speeds effectively.
Key Components of Developing Feel
- Touch: The ability to control the force and trajectory of your shots.
- Intuition: Trusting your instincts to read greens and judge distances.
- Consistency: Repeating successful techniques to build muscle memory.
- Awareness: Understanding the conditions of the course, such as green speed and slope.
Effective Drills to Enhance Feel
Incorporating specific drills into your practice routine can significantly improve your feel on the greens:
The Ladder Drill
Objective: Refine distance control for putts of varying lengths.
Setup: Place tees or clubs at regular intervals (e.g., every 3 feet) away from you in a straight line.
Execution: Putt balls to stop at each successive marker without skipping any.
Benefit: Enhances your ability to judge and execute putts of different distances.
The Coin Drill
Objective: Improve your ability to strike the ball’s sweet spot consistently.
Setup: Place a coin on the ground and try to putt the coin.
Execution: Focus on hitting the coin cleanly with each putt.
Benefit: Develops precision and consistency in your putting stroke.
The Clock Drill
Objective: Enhance short putting under pressure.
Setup: Place balls around the hole at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock positions, each about three feet from the hole.
Execution: Try to sink all putts in a row without missing.
Benefit: Builds confidence and consistency in short-range putting.
The One-Handed Drill
Objective: Improve stroke smoothness and feel for the putter head.
Setup: Practice putting strokes using only one hand (either left or right) at a time.
Execution: Alternate hands and focus on maintaining a consistent stroke.
Benefit: Enhances feel and control in your putting stroke.
The Pressure Putting Drill
Objective: Simulate pressure situations to improve focus and confidence.
Setup: Set a challenging goal, like making 10 putts in a row from 5 feet.
Execution: If you miss, start over, mimicking the pressure of needing to make a crucial putt.
Benefit: Prepares you for high-pressure situations on the course.
Incorporating Technology to Enhance Feel
Utilizing training aids can provide valuable feedback and accelerate improvement:
Blast Motion Golf Sensor
Attaches to your putter to provide real-time data on your stroke, helping you analyze and improve your putting mechanics.
PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer
A training aid designed to improve your putting accuracy and consistency by simulating real putting conditions.
HackMotion Wrist Sensor
Monitors wrist movements during your putting stroke, offering insights to enhance consistency and control.
Swingbyte 2 Golf Swing Analyzer
Provides detailed analytics on your putting performance, aiding in targeted improvement.
2025 TIBA Putt Training Aid
Assists in developing a consistent putting stroke by providing visual and tactile feedback during practice.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Inconsistent Stroke Length: Varying the length of your putting stroke can lead to inconsistent distances.
Overcomplicating the Stroke: Trying to perfect every aspect of your stroke can hinder natural flow and consistency.
Ignoring Green Conditions: Not adjusting for factors like slope and speed can result in poor distance control.
Conclusion
Developing a keen feel on the greens is essential for executing delicate shots with precision and consistency. By incorporating specific drills into your practice routine, utilizing helpful tools, and avoiding common mistakes, you can enhance your feel and elevate your performance on the course.
Remember, consistency and practice are your best allies in mastering the art of feel. Keep practicing, stay patient, and watch your short game improve.
In our next post, we’ll explore how to hit a consistent bunker shot. Stay tuned for expert tips and techniques to master this challenging shot.
