TECHNIQUE OF PUTTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19125, 17 September 1925, Page 13

TECHNIQUE OF PUTTING.

Putting cannot be taught like driving or approaching, at which success is contingent upon obedience to a more or less fixed technique. Putters reach the goal by an almost infinite variety of often highly divergent routes and methods. However, it may safely be said that the club should be lightly held in the fingers, not gripped in the palms, though "lightly" does not mean feebly. Further, the ball should be nearly opposite the left foot, and the arms close to the sides. Nevertheless, if you find that you fet better results with a fist grip, the •all opposite the right foot and the arms close to the sides—carry on. Some very good putters tap the ball, others, equally successful, hit it freely and "follow through" after it. Whichever methed be adopted, there must be no suspicion of jerk or stab. When "addressing" the ball it is advisable to turn the club slightly outwards. This will correct a very common tendency to turn the club head inwards as the ball is struck, with the result that, it diverges to the left. The hands must not be drawn in to the body when the stroke is made, but allowed to go forward. This is best ensured by "following through." The ancient maxim, "Keep your eye on the bull." applies to all strokes, but to none with greater importance than the putt. Lifting the head is absolutely fatal, and after the ball has sped on its way the eyes should remain glued to the spot where it was. In dealing first with the execution of a putt one has put the cart before the horse, for before the ball is "addressed" it will usually be necessary to study the "line" to the h<«'.e. On a perfectly flat green the "line" is straight and the player s main concern is to hit the ball with the right strength. Here be it said that for one shot that is too strong, at least twenty stop short of the target. Remember, "Never up, never in," and give the ball a chance of going down. Most- greens, however, are undulating, and here the "line" will not only be curved but may be painfully suggestive of a corkscrew. It is often helpful to survey the situation from the hole as well as from the ball. Having got the "line" it is useful to select some intermediate point on it and, aiming at this, to concentrate on making the ball pass over it. Some players like the intermediate point, which may be a ! blade of grass near the ball, others pre* [ fer it halfway or farther.