Golf Tips: Tape Measure

Next time you go to the putting green, bring a little more than your putter and some golf balls.  Grab a tape measure from your tools and throw it in the golf bag. Using A Tape Measure To Fine Tune Distance Control Distance control on the greens is more important than line.  Even the worst putters know the "general" line of a putt.  Making more putts and avoiding three putts is about speed; getting the ball to finish close to the hole.  Using a tape measure can help you get the idea of distance as it relates to the width of the putter stroke.  Here's a drill to try. Pick a flat and straight putt on the practice green.  Start with a short putt, say three feet, as measured from the hole with the tape measure.  Lock the tape measure outside your putter's toe on the line of the putt.  Make some strokes, noting how many inches you must bring the putter back to get enough velocity on the stroke to make the putt. For our argument, we will say the first putt is a 3-footer and that it takes nine inches of backstroke to get the ball to the hole.  The next time you're on the course with a similar distance putt, you'll have an excellent idea of how far back to take the putter. This process can be repeated as long as the tape measure is!  Work through the process from zero to the length of the tape measure.  Many are 20-25 feet. Take mental or even physical notes on the lengths of the putting stroke versus the number of feet the ball travels.  This will bring heightened awareness and feel to putting, and hopefully result in better distance control.  Better distance control means fewer puts and thus, lower scores! Try it!