Senior Power Golf Blog » Golf Shots

Putting Woes – The Catch 22 Of Putting Shots

buzz — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 05:36:07 +0000

The success of the ball as it moves its way towards the hole depends on its speed. In other words, the pressure that you apply on your swing determines your success as a putter.

The Catch 22

If you hit the ball too hard, it will fly above and beyond the hole. When this happens, you will need to make an extended recovery shot. On the other hand, if you don’t put enough pressure on your swing, the ball will stop short of the hole.

Hitting the ball too hard will give you less break, or curve. For example, if you hit the ball too hard and calculated a six or seven inches of break, the ball will likely break just two or three inches and ends up missing the target. By hitting the ball too hard, even a putt that is only two feet can cause you to miss the hole and lip out, or goes back out.

Hitting the ball too gently, however, the ball will break more than your calculation and also miss the hole.

Therefore, the absolute success of the putt depends on the speed of the ball. Speed, along with distance, go hand and hand on the putting green.

So, How do you know? Backswing Distance? Speed of stroke? Length of follow through? Or does it start with your stance? Or your eyeballing the path before the putt? Or your visualizing the ball going in?

What’s YOUR method of getting the right speed?

I’d like to know…. Post your theory here… We’re all anxious to compare notes!

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buzz b berkeley, golf, Golf Clubs, Golf Equipment, Golf Shots, golfers, golfing, putter, putting green, senior golf, senior golfers

Bunker Shot – How To Adjust Your Swing According To The Sand’s Texture

buzz — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:22:32 +0000

The sand that is used to fill up bunker areas can vary from course to course. Some locations use very soft, fine sand. Other bunkers have tight, firm sand. Some courses may even have less sand in their bunkers than others. All of these conditions will require different techniques if your ball lands in a bunker.

You Can Look But You Can’t Touch

If you enjoy playing by the rules, you should know that the regulations dictate that you are not allowed to test the sand’s texture before playing a bunker shot. However, you can at least take the time to be conscious if the sand appears to be wet and hard, or soft and light.

Hard Sand: Bunker sand that is on the hard side will require that you slow down your swing speed a bit. This means that you will not take the club back as far as you normally would. The ball will pop out faster because there is no cushion of soft sand between the clubhead and your ball.

Soft Sand: Soft sand will require more speed from your swing. Because the sand is light and fluffy, there will be a lot of it coming between the ball and your clubhead. Soft sand actually slows down the club as it follows through.

Senior Golfers have been known to injure themselves attempting these shots. So, a question and a word of request: Are you playing in a sanctioned tournament or a money game? If not, then put your health ahead of the game’s rule, and take a drop. Your back is much more important than one shot in a friendly game.

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