Billy Casper’s Putting Advice

 Without a doubt, one of the most underated champions of all time is Billy Casper. With over 50 PGA Tour wins, including 3 majors, Casper’s record ranks him among the game’s elite. However, it was his excellent putting that made him the envy of his peers.

Get a putting lesson from one of the all-time greats

Daily Lesson 3/26/07

MAKE MORE SHORT PUTTS

There are two simple things anyone can do to make more short putts. Assuming alignment is good, if a player can maintain constant grip pressure, while keeping their head still – they will putt better. Practice with no tension in your shoulders, elbows and hands. After you hit the ball – hold your finish. Your tension level should be the same as address. Most players get tighter into their follow through, which inhibits release. Next, practice listening to the ball go in. Don’t move your original head position until you hear the ball drop. Keep a light grip and a steady head and you will make tons of short putts.

Two More Great Drills for Short Putts

Left Hand PushThe left hand push drill is similar to the left hand only drill in that it teaches you acceleration and a firm left wrist through impact. Although it may feel awkward at first, stroking balls with no backstroke, stick with it, as this exercise is vital for you to become a great short putter.How to perform this drill: From three feet take your comfortable putting stance with your putter aimed directly at the hole. Grip the putter with only your left hand the same way you did in drill one. Without taking a backstroke, simply push the ball into the back of the cup using your left hand only. Your right hand will not be on the club. Do not think of mechanics. Your only thought should be to knock it in.

Right Hand Push

The right hand push drill will enhance the feelings you received in drill number two and therefore really improve your short putting. This exercise will give you a marvelous sensation of the right wrist and its correct position throughout the stroke.How to perform this drill: From three feet, take your comfortable putting stance with the putter aimed directly at the hole. Grip the putter with only your right hand the same way as you did in drill two. Without taking a backstroke, simply push the ball into the back of the cup using your right hand only. Your left hand will not be on the club. Do not think of mechanics. Your only thought should be to knock it in.

Two Great Drills for Short Putts

DRILL ONE – Left Hand Only

The left hand only drill is a wonderful cure for deceleration in the through stroke. Any golfer who struggles to accelerate the putter down the target line will benefit after just a few sessions doing this exercise. As an added benefit, this drill will eliminate any left wrist breakdown at impact, which is a major cause of inconsistency.

How to perform this drill: From three feet, take your comfortable puttingstance with your putter aimed directly at the hole. Grip the putter with only your left hand. Feel like the putter is more in the palm with the back of your left hand facing the target. From there, with only your left hand on the putter,  stroke some putts into the back of the cup. Do not think of mechanics. Your only thought should be to knock the ball in.

DRILL TWO – Right Hand Only    

For consistency and rhythm, both hands should play an equal role on mostgolf shots. That is why the right hand only drill is so important. The angle formed by your right wrist at address must return to the same position at impact to ensure the ball starting on the correct line. This exercise will quickly have you feeling that sensation.

How to perform this drill: From three feet take your comfortable puttingstance with your putter aimed directly at the hole. Grip the putter with only your right hand. Feel like your right palm is facing the target as you take your grip. From there, with only your right hand on the putter, stroke some putts into the back of the cup. Do not think of mechanics. Your only thought should be to knock it in.

Daily Lesson 3/18/07

EYE POSITION

A quick fix for pushed and pulled putts is to check your eye position. If I were to build a golfer, I would like to see him or her with their eyes set directly over the golf ball. This eye position encourages a path that is straight back and through the ball. Simply, it allows the golfer his or her best chance to return the clubface squarely to the ball on the intended line. If you are pushing most of your putts from good alignment, there is a good chance your eyes are inside the ball (too far away). Conversely, if you’re pulling putts from good alignment, there is a good chance your eyes are outside the ball (too close). A good way to check – set up in your normal putting position and bring a golf ball up to the bridge of your nose (directly between your eyes) and simply drop it on the green. Where that ball lands on the green is where your ball should be positioned. However, if you’re going to err for comfort, always err a little further away than closer.