TEXT & IMAGEs: © BAUER CONSUMER MEDIA LIMITED

LAG PUTTING: Let the putter swing

RIDE THE PUTTER: Feel that you hold the putter lightly and more in the fingers, letting it ride in the hands with the arm swing doing most of the work.

When putting from long range, you’re permitted to introduce a small amount of wrist hinge to help the putter swing naturally.

The top of the handle shouldn’t move too much laterally either side away from its original starting point at address, almost like a fixed fulcrum where the putter swings back and through using the weight of the clubhead.

This method builds the momentum you need in the clubhead to send the ball the required distance, taking any ‘hit’ from excessive hand action out of the stroke. When players ‘hit’ at the ball with the hands they inevitably have to apply pressure to the shaft, which is difficult to control. Applying too much or not enough brings about that inconsistency and poor distance control that leaves too much work for the second putt.

On the practice putting green, hold the putter in your left hand against your sternum and let it swing back and through like a pendulum. This is the same motion the putter head should make in your stroke, with the butt of the handle moving very little. A slightly lighter grip will also help the shoulders control the stroke.