The CSGA Links Volume 2 Issue 4 June, 2014 | Page 10

Links Lessons By George Connor, PGA Better Distance Control Through a Balanced Stroke Almost every golfer I work with has a concern that they may, might or do decelerate their putter. This is as common a thought in putting as “keep your head down” is in the full swing. Sadly, it is just as unproductive as well. I can confidently say that I teach more putting lessons than any other professional in Connecticut. In the course of a year I may see eight or ten strokes where the putter actually decelerates. It just doesn’t happen very often and should not be the overriding thought in a golfers mind. Rolling the ball the proper distance on all putts is an integral part of great putting. The speed at which a ball rolls will determine how much a ball breaks and how big the hole effectively is. Not to mention that poor distance control can quickly lead to three-putt greens when you start gunning the ball 5-feet by or leaving it 6-feet short. Rolling your putts at proper speed will eliminate three-putts. Even more exciting, when you properly control the speed, you will start making a lot more putts. Over accelerating the putter is a bigger, more common issue when it comes to distance control. I see this most often in a stroke ratio that is out of balance. If your putting stroke is one that the follow through is significantly longer than the backswing you may well be struggling to control the acceleration of the stroke in your attempt to avoid decelerating. When you make a stroke where the follow through represents 80% of the stroke as pictured left, the point at George Connor has been teaching and coaching golfers of all abilities since 1989. He is a two-time Connecticut PGA Teacher of the Year and his student’s include Division 1 College Players, Professional Players, State Amateur Champions, Club Champions as well as beginners and intermediate players. » Click here to visit ConnorGolf.com and learn more 10 Connecticut State Golf Association