Put the pendulum back in your putting stroke

by Cathy MacPherson • photos by Jim Vaiknoras

They always say, “Drive for show; putt for dough!” and anyone who watched this year’s Masters can surely attest to that! Better putting always brings confidence to your game and certainly shaves a few strokes off the scorecard. Here are two tips that should do just that.

The putting stroke is a simple motion that incorporates the hands, arms and shoulders. It resembles a pendulum in its back and forth motion and has even tempo throughout. The shoulders, arms and wrists stay connected, and the wrists do not break anywhere in the stroke. If you find that you are getting a bit “wristy or handsy” while you putt, this pendulum drill will help quiet your hands and bring all three components, the shoulders, arms and hands, together for the motion.

Pendulum Drill

Using either your driver or 3-wood, press the butt end of the club near the bottom of your sternum, which is located in the middle of the chest. Place your hands on the shaft of the club well below the grip. Hold the club in the same manner as you would your putter.

Set up to a ball keeping the ball directly below your eyes, as you would while using your putter. If you find that the driver is too long, switch to a 3 or 5 wood.

If the driver is a bit too short, then you might find that you are a bit more bent over than you would ordinarily stand for putting; this is fine for this drill.

Set up the following “Ladder Drill” and go through it with the driver and then switch to your putter. You should see and feel that the Pendulum Drill has quieted your hands and engaged the shoulders in the stroke.

The Ladder Drill

Using six golf balls, place them apart from one another in two- foot increments in a straight line; your closest putt from the hole will be two feet and the farthest from the hole will be 12 feet. Starting with the ball that is closest to the hole (2 feet), make the putt and then move down the line. You should notice that your putting stroke gets a bit longer with each putt. Notice the stroke length as you putt each one. What does it feel like? Keep in mind that you are only increasing your putting stroke by small amounts as you move from one putt to the next. Always practice with a purpose and your game will surely improve.

Cathy MacPherson is an instructor at the Ferncroft Country Club and is a Class A member of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Division. She has been ranked in the Top 50 U.S. golf instructors in the country by Golf for Womens Magazine the last seven years in a row.