Practice Like a Tour Pro

by Ian Poulter 

There is no secret to what it takes to hone a good short game: practice. But it has to be effective practice. To make a real difference in this department, you need a purpose, and you need to be able to measure improvement and success.

When I go out to work here on the tour player's range at Lake Nona, I literally take with me a whole bag of tricks. I've got the lot. From a humble chalk line that I use on the practice putting green to alignment aids and the trusty Bushnell laser range finder. I've even got a Trackman system if I want to get into some serious analysis.
 

 

String it out: you can pick up a builder's chalk line from any DIY store - I guarantee it'll be the best investment you'll make when it comes to improving your putting.
 

The key to cementing good fundamentals is that you don't leave to chance details of the set-up, ball position, alignment, or our yardages. We have the tools to make sure we get these right - and so should you. The real beauty of the following drills is that they are simple. So let's get started on the putting green (oh, and you're gonna love the latest gadget that's become the 'must-have toy among all of us on tour!).
 

Work the line, and improve your 'visual' to the hole

 

 

 

Back to basics: Having that chalk line as a source of reference, you can make sure that your feet, knees, hips and shoulders are parallel to the line. As you then make your stroke, the chalk further helps you to monitor the path of the putter-head as you work it back and through - ideally, it moves fractionally inside-to-square-to inside on a perfectly neutral path.

 My grip is the standard reverse-overlap style, with both thumbs running down the shaft, forefinger on the left hand resting over the fingers on the right. This gives me a nice snug, secure hold, which encourages the two hands to work as one unit through the stroke.

 

Alignment - the eyes have it... 

Eye-line mirror gives invaluable feedback

With the chalk line extending into the hole on a straight six footer, aim the mirror precisely to create the ultimate putting studio. Both the mirror and the chalk line will help you to get your feet, hips & shoulders square at the set-up.

Whenever I feel my putting stroke is a little off, I always go back to the basics of alignment,

and the Eye-Line mirror is a vital piece of gear that enables you to check your eye-line is where you want it at the set-up. Again, this is hugely important, as you can easily creep out of position and distort your perspective of a putt. Get your eye-line twisted and the likelihood is that your head and shoulders fall out of position, too, and obviously that affects the whole mechanic of your putting stroke.

 

The String (right): Again, very simple, but very effective. The string I have pegged out here is from short-game guru Dave Pelz's range, though you could easily make up your own. Some prefer it to the chalk line on straight putts, but I actually find it is best for working on breaking putts, as it teaches you to see and to trust the break. Here I have set it up on a right-to-left putt that moves all of three cups.

The key is to use the string to highlight the line on which you need to start the ball towards the 'apex' of the putt - i.e. the point you identify as where it will take the break and move towards the hole. Once you have that, you can fine-tune the pace.

On fast greens you really do have to convince yourself of the amount of break that needs to be factored in, and the string helps you in that respect. It also helps you to keep the path of your stroke running true back and through.

So it's a good exercise to build your visual skills. Putting, of course, is all about line and pace. I always try to hit a breaking putt like this at a speed that will see the ball finish 18 inches past the hole should I miss. (That's another Pelz tip, by the way.)