Tips for the short game - Part 3

Tip 3: Long putts

Practising close to the course will help you to improve your routine and hone your pitching, chipping and putting skills. This will allow you to gain confidence and calmness in various game situations that you would otherwise only experience during a round.

On the subject of putting: I know that practising putting can sometimes be monotonous, but it's the over dosing of length, or lag putting, that is crucial. It's about getting the ball close to the hole from a long distance so that your second putt is short and you don't have 1.5 metres or more to go. This will help you to avoid three-putts and be more relaxed going into the next tee shot - factors that will boost your mental strength.

Try the following exercise: Place three clubs as a frame around the hole. Then take 10 large steps away from the hole and put a tee into the green. Now try to putt with 5 balls so that all 5 balls come to rest in the frame. Have fun with it!

Another useful method: Try cross-hand training for short putts. Position your right hand at the top and your left hand at the bottom of the club, both arms completely straight. You will soon realise that you are getting a good feel for how to guide the club.

With these exercises and training sessions, you can significantly improve both your short game and your mental strength. Always remember: it is the quality and concentration of your training that leads to success, not the sheer quantity of balls hit. Train smart and with full commitment and you will see the results on the court!