Golf Tips: Putting From Green Center to Fringe

One of the biggest problems amateur golfers, especially higher handicap golfers have is strokes lost on the putting green.  Putting is the area most amateurs could quickly reduce their scoring numbers.  Eliminating several 3-putts or even 4-putts in a round could be a massive stroke saver. Most amateurs know the general direction a putt will break.  Their reads may not be perfect, but they have a general idea.  SPEED is the problem with most.  Their putts can be way off with regards to distance control.  When that second or third putt isn't within about a 3-foot circle, 3-putts or 4-putts happen. Therefore one of the biggest keys in improving putting, if not the biggest, is distance control.  One great way to work on distance control is the inside-out method.  Forget about the holes on the practice green for a moment.  Proceed to the center of the practice green and put some practice balls down.  Putt to the fringe of the green.  The goal is to stop the ball as close to the fringe as possible.  This drill will help get the feel of precise distance control. Pick many different lines and angles to different edges of the green, attempting to get the putt to stop right at the fringe cut.  This precision will translate to a much better feel for distance control and will immediately help shave those three and four putts down to two or less. Try it!