Perfect Practice Station & Routine

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By Skip Guss

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  • 23 Replies
  1. Skip Guss

    Skip Guss
    Marlborough, MA

    The past two days, I had the opportunity to observe two local golf professionals with AMAZING talent….one during a playing lesson, the other during tournament play. Both tendencies/faults were common…both were easy fixes. Let’s look:

    -Observations from Day #1: Karen’s putts were not rolling well, a little bit of a hop or two at the start of the putt. Filming her stroke showed she was taking the putter back too high, forcing a descending blow into the ball at impact. We had to change that…and the fix was pretty simple:

    THE FIX: We placed 3 dimes approx. 4” behind the ball. We also placed two tees 2” in front of the ball. Karen’s challenge…to knock out the dimes on the backswing, while completely missing the two tees on the follow-thru (see below). By doing this, her putter stayed lower on the backswing, with a little bit of rise on the forward stroke. The result: ball rolled and tracked the line much, much better. She left the putting green PSYCHED!

    -Observations from Day #2: During tournament play, Charles tended to push his putts. I noticed on more than one occasion that his head was moving BACKWARDS, on the forward stroke, more than 2”

    THE FIX: After the round, we headed to the practice putting green. I had Charles stand with his back to the sun so he could see his shadow directly in front of him. I placed a golf ball just outside the shadow of his left ear, as well as his right ear (see below). While Charles hit a putt, I videotaped his shadow in relation to the two balls. Sure enough, he saw his shadow (head), moving away from the target on the forward stroke. A habit he had, somehow, picked up, but could NOT fee! I then asked Charles to make five (5) putting strokes, without a ball, keeping his shadow dead still, in between the two golf balls. Then I had him hit one (1) putt, with a ball, and videotaped his shadow. Two things happened…his shadow did NOT move, and the ball ripped right into the middle of the cup! We stayed on this routine (5 rehearsals, then 1 putt), for about 15-minutes. Charles’ putts started rolling better and more consistently on the intended line….he left the putting green quite happy!

    Here are some things we learned: -Neither player knew, or could feel, what their particular tendency was. It took an objective observer to help both of them realize what was happening during their putting strokes.

    -Solutions were quite simple…no over-thinking…allowing both players to trust their own instincts and athletic ability.

    -Helping each player design a proper setup, practice station & routine allowed for immediate…and positive…results!

    The past two days were quite informative…and fun! Always enjoy helping others play better!

  2. Chris C

    Chris C
    Medway, MA

    Two great drills to help get the ball in the hole.
    Heading out to the practice green!
  3. Skip Guss

    Skip Guss
    Marlborough, MA

    Chris:

    Many times we make the game....and practice....too complicated! I hope to always think of ways to communicate the message in a simple manner. A fun challenge, for sure! Learned this from my days teaching in sunny South Florida!
  4. Dwayne N

    Dwayne N
    Island, KY

    really good stuff
  5. Skip Guss

    Skip Guss
    Marlborough, MA

    Chris:

    Sorry for not having the videos attached...no idea what might have happened (probably MY error, for sure). Anywhoooo....please let me know how your practice goes....will be anxious to learn. Thanks!
  6. Ben A

    Ben A
    Los Gatos, CA

    I've been doing something funny with my putter and I think you just figured it out for me and just in time for a match today... I have been lifting WAY too high!

    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE TIP! (tip #1)
  7. Skip Guss

    Skip Guss
    Marlborough, MA

    B.A.

    Glad the putting tips helped!!! Hope you found success! Let us know how you did!
  8. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    My problem "was" trying to follow the ball, especially on short putts under 4 feet. Depending on how early I turn my head, I can push/pull the stroke. I really do need to listen for the ball to drop in the hole. ??Would Jordan help his current woes if he had 1 instead of 3 ways to stroke the ball (Not looking, Not looking - cross hand, Looking - cross hand)??
  9. Jerry M

    Jerry M
    Dallas, TX

    I really like both drills; simple with providing good feedback. I'm taking dimes to the putting green next time.
  10. Scott D

    Scott D
    Lethbridge,

    Thanks Skip. I have been having the same problem as Karen. Now I know a drill to fix it.
  11. Tyler H

    Tyler H
    Appleton, WI

    Those are two very useful drills that I will have to keep in mind.

    TH
  12. Kathy J

    Kathy J
    Portland, OR

    Thanks for the tip.
  13. Really glad I took the time to read and watch the videos on this thread. Hope to implement it into my putting routine/practice

    Thanks
  14. Breaking my left arm top of my backswing using my driver. Never done that in the past now it's scary to take it back.
  15. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    BFOSTER said:

    Breaking my left arm top of my backswing using my driver. Never done that in the past now it's scary to take it back.

    Ouch! See a doctor and get an ex-ray. Other than that, what does it have to do with this putting tip thread?
  16. Deno

    Deno
    New Jersey

    Military
    Skip
    Just came across this post. Super tips for sure. I too like simplicity in teaching.....well done!
  17. Skip Guss

    Skip Guss
    Marlborough, MA

    Deno...thanks!

    Hope you enjoy my newest post as well!

    Thoughts?
  18. RAlsman

    RAlsman
    Indianapolis

    I really like this drill. I struggle with the ball hopping specifically on lag putts. May try to practice this with a longer smoother stroke
  19. ADeLucia

    ADeLucia
    Clayton NC

    great tips can't wait to take these to the putting green!
  20. Unfortunately just seeing this now (December) and it might be a couple months before I can try the shadow drill outside, so will take this one to the basement. Thanks for posting!
  21. Skip Guss

    Skip Guss
    Marlborough, MA

    Hey Roger:

    NO need to wait until spring...rig up something in the basement...get a flashlight...use a spotlight...attach two small lasers, on a Titleist cap...aimed at the ground. Use your imagination...that is the fun part....to figure out a routine that will get you the result you are looking for. I do this EVERY DAY with my students...we use our imagination to solve/improve something. What fun!!!!
  22. Hi Skip,

    First, thank you for all the Golf Tip posts, all very helpful! I was at the range yesterday working on impact positioning, thanks to your recent post.

    On to putting, I tried the attaching lasers to a Titleist cap (had a Dr. Evil quote rumbling in my head while doing it) and discovered a new putting *issue.* Thought you might enjoy. Old cats tire easier, so was able to work the drill shortly afterwards.

    Thanks again and Happy New Years!

    Roger
    Post Image
  23. Great tips, I like the shadow drill and the keep it simple technique.

  24. Skip Guss

    Skip Guss
    Marlborough, MA

    Thanks, Tim.

    Happy New Year!

    Here's to better golf...and simpler golf instruction! Count me "IN" on both accounts!!!!

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