Putting can often be the lowest risk shot choice, even from the green – especially when the grass has been trimmed enough.
There’s also something nice about taking a long walk to the green with a barrel in hand, even if it means facing a long first kick. Developing the ability to get that putt close enough for a two-putt is an essential skill, but it takes solid technique and consistent practice.
Here are five keys to keep in mind if you want to become a great delay player.
1. Strong contact is a must
Making proper contact with the putting face is always important, but it becomes even more critical on longer shots. Clean contact ensures that you transfer the right amount of energy to the ball.
As with most golf courses, it starts with good technique, but training tools can be extremely helpful in reinforcing proper contact. This street trainer can help you develop a more consistent stroke. For longer shots, you can allow a little more space between the guides.
Gains Path Perfectors short game
As we all (should) know by now, one of the keys to being a great shooter is having an efficient and repeatable shot. If you don’t have a good putt path, you will struggle to square the club face on the putt and launch the ball on your target line. Path Perfectors are designed to help you develop a consistent, reliable swing path and center contact on the club face. This means a better shot, better distance control and, in turn, more shots. What makes Path Perfectors different? I’m glad you asked. Instead of the usual aluminum or steel that most deployment gates are made from, ours are constructed from a custom silicone compound. Steel and aluminum not only damage your device, but are also noisy and a bit irritating. No one else needs to know that your shot put is screwed up, and reminding them with a loud bang against some wickets and chipped paint on your putter probably isn’t the best way to get an invite to the next scrimmage tournament.
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2. The back is the engine
Longer shots require longer backswings. This is non-negotiable if you want to become a strong range shooter. Golfers who struggle with lag are often hesitant to extend their swing long enough.
If you don’t put enough “gas in the tank”, it is very difficult to reach the hole. When the back is too short, other parts of the body tend to compensate, leading to unnecessary movement and misalignment. This makes solid contact much more difficult to achieve.
3. Stay consistent
Maintaining stability is one of the biggest challenges on longer shots. To produce consistent and repeatable contact, the impact must have minimal moving parts.
The head and lower body should remain relatively still throughout the stroke. You can practice this by watching your shadow or filming your shot to check for unwanted movement.
4. A longer lever can help
Correct putter length plays a key role in both solid contact and good stance.
For longer shots, it can help to grip a little higher on the grip, effectively creating a longer lever to generate more power. This may require a slight adjustment to your stance, but it can help you roll the ball farther with less effort, especially when combined with a longer back.
5. Practice, practice, practice
Effective delay setting is learned skill that requires repetition. While adjusting backswing length is important, it also takes time to trust that a longer stroke (rather than increased acceleration) is what controls distance.
If your swing is long enough, you can just let the putter swing through the ball and let it roll naturally.
If this concept is new, give yourself time to build confidence. A great practice is to putt back and forth across the green, focusing on distance control and pace. This helps you trust the process and develop a reliable feel for longer shots.
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