Technical Tuesday

The term accelerate in putting is getting a lot of you in big trouble.  Yes the putter head should accelerate but only at the right time.  Bad putters move the putter head the fastest after impact because they think they need to accelerate.  Doing this really hinders your distance control and roll of the ball.  Good putters get their putter head up to top speed quickly in the forward swing and maintain that speed until impact and then it gradually slows down.  To make it simple:  If you struggle with distance your backstroke is probably too short and you are accelerating the club head too late(after impact).  In order to improve: Practice a backstroke that is longer than your follow through.  It will seem very "punchy", but that is ok.  Let the weight of the ball slow you momentum of the putter.  Light grip pressure helps.  Any added force at impact or after impact is deadly!!