Lesson Notes: Mastering the Three-Footer
The Goal: To lower your scores by making every putt within a putter-length (approx. 3 feet) of the hole, eliminating three-putts through better grip and face control.
1. The “Prayer” Grip
- To keep the putter face square, your hands must be parallel to each other and square to the face.
- Hinge from your hips, let your arms hang, and bring your palms together like you are praying.
- Place your thumbs straight down the flat part of the grip to minimize wrist action and let your shoulders control the stroke.
2. The Rail Drill
- Lay two putters or clubs on the ground to create a narrow track or “rail” about three feet long.
- Practice swinging your putter head between these clubs without hitting them.
- This visual aid helps you see if your putter face opens or closes through the impact area.
3. Around the Horn (Clock Drill)
- Place several balls in a circle exactly three feet away from a hole.
- This forces you to practice the same distance while dealing with different breaks (left-to-right, uphill, downhill).
- Building consistency here ensures that even if your lag putt isn’t perfect, you can always finish in two.
FAQ
Q: Why focus specifically on the three-foot distance?
A: Three feet is the standard length of a putter and is just outside “gimme” range. It requires enough speed to keep the face square but is short enough that you should be making nearly 100% of them to protect your score.
Q: What is the most common mistake on short putts?
A: Getting “wristy” or having the hands turned over on the grip. This causes the putter face to deviate from square through impact. Focus on rocking the shoulders while keeping the lower body perfectly steady.
