How to get in the "slot" at the top of the putting stroke

Ben Hogan imagined the ideal backswing plane as a pane of glass extending from the ball through the player`s neck. But what worked for Hogan might not work for you.

Keep your hands more in front

In my experience, the image that Hogan used tends to set the golfer`s hands too deeply across the chest--that is, too far around and behind it. This can lead you to simply lift your arms to complete the backswing, ultimately arriving in a weak, noncoiled position at the top.

A more helpful image shows a golfer standing within a curved sheet of glass. This is ideal for the backswing, because the curve in the glass represents the slight, gradual steepening of the plane.

Keeping your hands more in front of your chest allows you to move from the halfway-back position up to the perfect "slot" at the top simply by completing your shoulder turn--the ideal way to complete the backswing.

Best golf clubs for a beginner

If you're just starting out in golf, the biggest thing you should be looking for is a consistent set of the clubs, hand-me-down club sets are notorious for being a mix-n-match, different manufacturers therefore different club weights and swing weights.

It is not necessary to buy expensive sets of clubs; Wilson, Tour Edge, Spalding, Ram to name a few, put out entry level sets, $200-$350, that are good quality and will last you a lifetime.

If you decide to put in more time and effort you can always sell off your set, and by that time you'll have a better grasp of what you want your clubs to do for you.

Check out your local newspaper Buy/Sell or On-Line Swap Shop, sometimes there's some real bargains to be had. Try all your buddies clubs, that way you get a feel for what fits best for you.

Good Luck and hope to see you on the Links.

Stop Lipping Out with this Putting Drill

Lip outs drive me nuts! Here's a putting drill that is helping me control my power on shorter putts so that they don't lip out as much:

Place a pencil right in front of the hole, and secure it with four tees.

Practice putts from six feet and in. If you hit them too hard, the pencil will launch them over the hole, but if you hit them too softly, they won't make it over the pencil.

You need to putt it with just enough power to make the ball "hop" over the pencil and find its way into the cup. Once you can do this, you should sink more putts at close range.

Good luck!

Inside path to stop slicing

Here's a way to make sure you are bringing the clubhead from the inside.

Put something like a plastic water bottle about 18 inches behind the ball standing up. On your backswing take it inside the bottle and on the downswing do the same. If you can't keep from hitting  the bottle than your clubhead is coming from the outside.

If you want to spend the money, The Inside Path, does the same thing. You can get it for less than $50 if you look around. Still too much money though but it does work.

Bottle works almost as well.

Another similar drill is to take about an 18" length of soft pine 2x4 and lay it so that the near edge of the board is about 2 to 3" from the opposite side of the ball from where you adress the ball.

In other words the opposite side of the ball from you. 

Make sure most of the length of the board lays behind the ball.  You don't want to come into the ball and hit the end of the board.  If you come from outside in you will hit the top of the board.  Start with half and three-quarter swings. 

The feedback is a little harsher than the bottle method but it will sure make you want to come from the inside.

Good luck!

A True Putting Tip

Take your stance. Line up your putt. Look at the hole. Now stroke the ball while looking at the hole.

I have shot 30 putts in one round like that. Have yet to break 30 putts, but I soon will. It is AWESOME and EASY to do. Try it.

I kill my playing pard in putting everytime we play. But my up and downs.....that's another story.

Putting on Fast Greens

Here are two easy-to-remember tips from the late Payne Stewart to help you putt better on fast greens.

1. Keep a light, relaxed grip on the putter. A tight grip prevents you from controlling the pace of the clubhead.
2. Make your stroke as smooth as possible, making your follow-through longer than your backstroke.