Dave Mahoney Golf

« See all Archives

Week 5 Newsletter

Golf_Header

DavePutt

The “Gate Drill”

In last week’s newsletter, we discussed how speed greatly influences the line that you pick when you go to putt. In order to be able to hit your putts with the speed you would like, it is important that you are hitting solid putts. One of the reasons why a golfer can struggle with speed control is that they are simply not hitting their putts on the same part of the clubface consistently.

Try:
When on the practice putting green, pick a putt that is relatively straight and within 6 feet or so of the hole. Then aim the face of your putter so it is pointing towards your intended starting line. Next, place a tee behind the heel of the putter and in front of the toe of the putter. Give yourself a little bit of space between the tees and the putter.The tees should line up perpendicular to your intended start line. Once you are all set up, challenge yourself to hit your putts while swinging your putter in between the tees without hitting them.

Why:
If you can learn how to make putts while swinging your putter through the gate, you will be hitting your putts on the same part of the clubface each time. This will result in a more solid hit, which will give you better speed control. You will also acquire a great sense for where the putter’s clubface should be at impact.