Setup can be an extremely frustrating part of the game. There’s nothing worse than hitting a few good putts only to miss your chance at birdies with one with three shots.
Typically, the culprit for the dreaded three-shot is poor distance control. While a shot that can launch the ball down the line is important, there is no substitute for proper touch.
This is why having a speed prediction system is so important. We use rangefinders from fairway and tee boxes, so why not use one on the putting green? No, I don’t mean that you should actually shoot a laser when you’re reading your shots, but I do suggest that you distance yourself from the hole with your feet.
How do you dodge shots?
One of the ways I teach my students to improve their speed control is by counting the steps between your ball and the hole. (Just don’t take too long doing it, or you’ll soon become an enemy of your playing partners.)
Just like when you hit a fairway ball, you need a way to calibrate how far the ball should travel. Walking the distance from your ball to the hole while reading your putt provides valuable information that will help you control your speed.
By slowing down your shots, you can create a consistent reference for distance, allowing you to adjust your swing accordingly. Shorter shots require shorter strokes; longer shots require longer etc.
How to practice putting away your shots
1. Set up your practice station
I like to start by measuring 5, 10 and 15 steps from the hole and placing a spike in the ground to mark them. Start hitting shots from each marker and keep track of how long your shot is for each one. Start with shorter shots and work your way up.
2. Adjust your shot
As you go through this exercise, make a mental note of how far and how far you move your head. As you do this, the tempo of your stroke should remain steady. The only thing that changes is the length.
3. Call any distance
Once you get a feel for the size of the shot from each distance, work on fine tuning. Try a few shots up and down hills from different distances and notice how the slopes affect your shot size.
Why I learn to get away from shots
I love teaching my students to pace shots for several reasons. First, it makes them more consistent shooters, which reduces three shots and helps them shoot lower scores. This leads to increased confidence, which allows them to make more committed shots. Additionally, when they give up their shots, it forces them to be more structured during their practice time, which is always good for improvement.
If you’re struggling with distance control on the greens, give this method a shot.
