Week 1

Do your clubs fit? Do you have a set of clubs? – These are under-rated questions to the average golfer. Probably because of the associated cost it takes to buy new equipment or they feel they don’t play enough to justify needing a new set. Or maybe the thought of the time it will take to find the right clubs. Totally understandable, but remember golf is a game, games are meant to be fun, proper equipment will always = better golf and more fun! Plus it doesn’t take that long to get fitted. Less than 30 minutes is normal.

If you’re a complete beginner like Kathy here’s what I suggest:

(1)Take 30-minute PGA lesson before purchasing a new set of clubs. Allow a PGA Golf Professional to suggest the set type and club characteristics. The Pro will need to see you in person to evaluate your height and body capabilities before offering set ideas. Some courses carry sets on-property, some can special order and you’ll have them in 7 to 10 business days.

If you’ve had a set for some time and are looking for new equipment:

(1)Set up a club fitting with a PGA Golf Professional or attend a DEMO day at a local club or driving range. Certain clubs have the capability of fitting you (finding your specs) right on property. Most of the time if you purchase the clubs after the fitting, the fitting fee is waived. This by far is the way to go, plus you help support your local club.

If you choose not to purchase a set at the time of your fitting, remember to ask for your specs so when you’re ready to pull the trigger on new clubs you know what to order.

Proper fitting clubs make the world of difference to all levels of players. The major fitting factors are: Club length, lie angle, loft angle, shaft type & swing weight, and face type. Not all body & swings are the same so go find what’s best for you.

The Oaks and Candia Woods offer Titleist, Ping, Cobra, Taylormade and Adams equipment; all of which are easy to fit and quick to order. Please email Eric Foster for all Taylormade and Adams DEMO day dates. .

More tips on next page – scroll down please

Putting may seem a bit complicated at times. There are 1,000 different approaches along with 1-million types of putters to try. I’ll do my best to make it simple when a few key points before, during and after the stroke.

Like any stroke in golf there is a target line and a body line.

(1)The target line extends from the front of the ball to your desired starting point (not always the desired ending point). This is always a straight line.

(2)The body line is defined by your feet, hips and shoulders, their relation to your target line.

Though there are many ways to stand while putting, I find teaching the square to square approach (shown below by Kathy) works best.

See putter face at 90 Degree angle to feet line (body line). Not pictured are the hips and shoulders that are also on the same line as the feet.

For many of my students this set up gives them a feeling of a straight back – straight through putting stroke. Try it; this may help you make more 3 to 5 foot putts.

How to set up to a squareapproach (pictured above)

  • Use string to get feet square to target and putting line

Eyes slightly inside ball. Have someone help you with this. A PGA PRO!

Ball played closer to front (left) foot

(Continue to scroll below)

  • Keeping the putter head within the string for a straight back, straight through stroke
  • Target
  • Get your stance and putting lines square to the target
  • Track
  • Stroke the putting back and through the string (tracks)
  • Trace
  • Release the putting through the ball and point face of putting at the target (trace it down the line of the putt)

Now that you have an approach to experiment with it’s time to talk about the two most important factors in putting – SPEED & LINE

Putting distance control (SPEED)

  • Keep all putts within close, keep putts no more than 2’ beyond the hole

Aiming yourself for a breaking putt (LINE)

  • Make every putt a straight putt. Depending on the break of each putt pick a spot to the left or right of the hole. You can pick a mid-way point (spot) as well.
  • Never aim at the hole and push or pull your putt to play break

Putting skills challenge (SPEED & LINE TEST)

  • 2-putt twice consecutively from 8’ (see image below)
  • 2-putt twice consecutively from 14’
  • 2-putt twice consecutively from 20’
  • 2-putt twice consecutively from 30’

Continue reading below…

SPEED – try to roll each putt fast enough to reach the hole, but not hard enough to roll past more than 2 feet. (note – if you’re more than 20’ feet away, 3 or 4 feet past the hole is acceptable) The SPEED approach helps on two levels. 1 – this speed opens the entire circumference of the cup; too fast you’ll lip out, not fast enough… never up, never in! And 2 – if you miss the first putt, your next putt is a close to the cup.

TARGET LINE – Speed directly influences the line you take; that said, here are a few things I do when picking a target line.

  • When walking onto the green, find the high side of the green. Gravity will pull putts away from this high side.
  • Mark the ball & clean it.
  • Remark the ball and place the ball the same way every time you remark the ball. Example: I always see the Titleist logo standing over the ball.
  • Read each putt from behind the ball.
  • Using the Square Approach ---Depending on the slope of the green, pick a spot to the left or right of the club. For example: a putt that looks like it’s going to break 2 to 3 inches left, I’ll visualize two ball on the right side of the cup and I’ll putt to the furthest ball on the right.

All of the above will only work if you put in the time to practice / play and take lessons regularly. In my opinion being a good putter comes with having good touch around the green. You can’t roll enough putts in a day, week or month. Putting should consume at least 50% of your practice efforts. Commit yourself this 50% goal and your touch will improve.