09-06-2010, 10:37 AM
Miniature Golf – Basic Shotmaking
The following is an attempt to provide a brief ‘how to’ guide pertaining to the subject of putting in general.
Equipment, Alignment and the Pre-Shot Routine.
Decide if you are left or right-handed and choose a suitable club. Be aware of the correct length, lie angle, loft and grip size when trying out equipment.
Putters can be ‘faced balanced’, have ‘heel-toe weighting’ or be of ‘center-shafted’ or ‘blade’ design. Follow your instinct when choosing.
First align the putter with your body by means of a solid grip. Most players these days use the ‘reverse overlapping’ method which provides some stability of the left wrist during the stroke. Other players may grip ‘cack-handed’ or display very individual positioning of the hands. One would be well advised as beginner to hold the putter with both hands (palms) square to the target and both thumbs ‘on top’ of the flat surfaced putter grip.
Stand behind the ‘ball-to-target line’. After ‘reading the putt’ Identify your intermediate target on this line (tangent) but within 6-8ft of the ball if possible. Many players use the ‘rifle-sighting’ technique to locate this primary target.
Align the putter face in a 90° angle (square) to the intermediate (and real) target. Locate the ball opposite the ‘sweet spot’ or percussion center of the club head.
Place your feet at a comfortable width on a line inside and parallel to the ‘ball-to-target line’ positioning the ball slightly left of center. Align your eyes with the ‘ball-to-target line’ ensuring that your left eye (as right handed player) is directly over the ball.
This will give you the best possible ‘view’ of your club and your target line.
Make a small (12”) step away from the ball maintaining the same alignment to the target.
Make practice swings. Try to alternate your view from the ball, to the target and back to the ball whilst ‘weighing’ the speed of your stroke. Visualizing the ball contact and ‘following’ the result can be of great help.
Try to ‘see’ the track the ball will take on its way to the target. Play a short ‘video clip’ in your minds eye where the ball successfully reaches the target. Try to feel the emotion of ‘success’ prior to executing the shot.
Step back to the ball and remember to breathe.
The Putting Stroke
Learn and practice both the modern ‘pendulum stroke’ along with the more traditional (but enjoying a revival) ‘piston stroke’. This guide does not attempt to delve into such advanced teachings and refers at this stage to your local PGA Professional.
Hold the ‘feeling of success’ as your stoke the ball positively towards the target. Hold your head position for a brief moment and then turn your neck at 90° along the target line to allow your eyes to follow the ball.
Make an effort to ‘celebrate’ good shots but also to ‘forget’ those of poorer quality.
Love and Light
The following is an attempt to provide a brief ‘how to’ guide pertaining to the subject of putting in general.
Equipment, Alignment and the Pre-Shot Routine.
Decide if you are left or right-handed and choose a suitable club. Be aware of the correct length, lie angle, loft and grip size when trying out equipment.
Putters can be ‘faced balanced’, have ‘heel-toe weighting’ or be of ‘center-shafted’ or ‘blade’ design. Follow your instinct when choosing.
First align the putter with your body by means of a solid grip. Most players these days use the ‘reverse overlapping’ method which provides some stability of the left wrist during the stroke. Other players may grip ‘cack-handed’ or display very individual positioning of the hands. One would be well advised as beginner to hold the putter with both hands (palms) square to the target and both thumbs ‘on top’ of the flat surfaced putter grip.
Stand behind the ‘ball-to-target line’. After ‘reading the putt’ Identify your intermediate target on this line (tangent) but within 6-8ft of the ball if possible. Many players use the ‘rifle-sighting’ technique to locate this primary target.
Align the putter face in a 90° angle (square) to the intermediate (and real) target. Locate the ball opposite the ‘sweet spot’ or percussion center of the club head.
Place your feet at a comfortable width on a line inside and parallel to the ‘ball-to-target line’ positioning the ball slightly left of center. Align your eyes with the ‘ball-to-target line’ ensuring that your left eye (as right handed player) is directly over the ball.
This will give you the best possible ‘view’ of your club and your target line.
Make a small (12”) step away from the ball maintaining the same alignment to the target.
Make practice swings. Try to alternate your view from the ball, to the target and back to the ball whilst ‘weighing’ the speed of your stroke. Visualizing the ball contact and ‘following’ the result can be of great help.
Try to ‘see’ the track the ball will take on its way to the target. Play a short ‘video clip’ in your minds eye where the ball successfully reaches the target. Try to feel the emotion of ‘success’ prior to executing the shot.
Step back to the ball and remember to breathe.
The Putting Stroke
Learn and practice both the modern ‘pendulum stroke’ along with the more traditional (but enjoying a revival) ‘piston stroke’. This guide does not attempt to delve into such advanced teachings and refers at this stage to your local PGA Professional.
Hold the ‘feeling of success’ as your stoke the ball positively towards the target. Hold your head position for a brief moment and then turn your neck at 90° along the target line to allow your eyes to follow the ball.
Make an effort to ‘celebrate’ good shots but also to ‘forget’ those of poorer quality.
Love and Light