Symptom: Breaking putts give you fits, because playing the right amount of break and pace is elusive for you.
You know that improving your short game is the quickest way to lower your handicap, but are just not sure which putting drills will have the biggest impact for you.
You often mutter things like, “I thought it would break more” or “where did all that break come from” or “maybe I pushed it” or “get there” or “slow down” or perhaps less printable things…
Overview: On the putting green, pick a cup on a slight hill, and surround it with several balls in a circle (at least four). Start just a foot or two away from the cup and gradually work to wider and wider circles. Read and sink each putt as you circle the cup.
Why it works: Even though we know logically that downhill putts are faster and have more break, and uphill putts are slower and have less break, it is something you must experience firsthand to really internalize. This drill is a great way to prove it to yourself so you can execute better on the course.
Breaking Putts Require that You Divine Both Speed and Direction
Phil Mickelson using the surround the cup putting drill.
By keeping the length of the putt constant but varying the amount of break you need to play, you will get a better feel for how to read and execute short breaking putts.
Gradually your short putting and your confidence will improve. You will find that your performance on this drill improves when your misses on are on the high side of the hole, and end up about 18 inches past the hole.
Another benefit of this drill is that you will improve your ability to read the putts of your playing partners, and apply this learning to your putt! This is perhaps the greatest benefit of this drill, and seldom understood by most players.
So, for example, if your buddy has a similar length putt from the other side of the hole, you will know how your putt is likely to roll based on his putt, because you’ve already hit both putts in the Surround the Cup Putting Drill on the practice green!
Phil Mickelson shows us how it’s done and what he is thinking about during the drill (thanks Phil):
Did you like this drill? Think you can emulate Phil Mickelson on the practice green next time out?
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By: GolfTipEditor
Title: Golf Putting Drill: Master Treacherous Breaking Putts with the Surround the Cup Putting Drill
Sourced From: feedproxy.google.com/~r/GolfTipReviews/~3/T_yeKCG8eo0/
Published Date: Sat, 30 May 2020 14:30:00 +0000
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