Putting Warm Up Routine

Putting Drills: Try This Pre-Round Putting Warm Up Routine for Duffers
by Wayne Hudler

Who else want to know the secret the pros use to be on top of their putting game from the very first green? Imagine walking up to the first green with the confidence to read the green correctly for both speed and break. How many of those putts would make? Don't let another minute go by without reading this valuable putting drill that will help you make more putts during your round and amaze your golf buddies...

Have you ever been to a baseball, basketball or football game? Have you noticed how the players all go through warm ups prior to the game? We know too that PGA Tour players all spend time on the range and putting green before their round.

Warming up is obviously an important step for professional athletes and it should be important to duffers as well. We duffers need to allow enough time prior to our round to warm up both on the driving range and the putting green. Doing so would establish your swing and tempo for the entire round and have you on your game from the first tee.

A few minutes on the practice green will help you gauge the speed of the greens, help you get acclimated to the feel of the putter in your hands and adjust to the weather that day.

Dooley Duffer, my constant golf partner, suggest you use this putting drill to get the maximum benefit in the minimum amount of time.

Dooley's putting recommendations

First, to determine the speed of the green find a target (not a hole) some distance away, say thirty feet or so.

For the next few minutes you should practice putting to this target from different angles. Take careful notice of how the ball rolls, how it reacts to the slope of the green and the distance traveled. This is all about learning the pace of the greens.

Then spend a few more minutes putting to a hole from about ten to twelve feet. Choose a location with some break because there just aren't that many flat putts on the course.

Work around the cup in a circular pattern. This will help you with reading breaking putts.

Next, practice short uphill putts anywhere from six to twelve inches. These will build the confidence you need to take to the course for the round.

Dooley's putting recommendations

Finally, putt just a couple to the edge of the green from wherever you finished up the prior step. You goal here is to putt just to fringe in the direction of the first tee. You only are going to get one shot at this, just like on the course, so take your time and make a good stroke.

Walk toward the edge of the green, collect your balls and head to the first tee.

You are now ready for anything the greens have to offer. You have the knowledge gained from recent experience about the speed of the greens and the feel of your putting stroke. Go confidently and enjoy the round.

Dooley's putting recommendations

All together you will need about fifteen minutes for this pre-round putting practice drill. Time well spent to save valuable strokes while on the greens.

I do not exaggerate when I suggest that investing these fifteen minutes could reduce your score by five or more strokes. What would that mean to your score and to your handicap?

Find the best information to help with your putting game here: Dooley's putting recommendations

Wayne Hudler is an avid golfer of over 30 years and golf writer. He has been recognized as an expert by the leading online article directory.

Dooley Duffer Golf is devoted to helping ordinary golfers (duffers) improve. Are you a duffer? Visit Dooley Duffer Golf where you will find an ever growing collection of improvement resources. Dooley Duffer Golf

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