Putt to the Top

Of course, as in any sport or physical activity, some facts on golf cannot be denied. Aside from protecting your golf cart with a golf cart cover, one of these universal rules is that a golfer should know how to putt well. Contrary to popular notion, the sport of golf is not just dependent on people who know how to swing and have the most powerful drives. Putting is an essential ingredient to the game, and is in fact the cause for scores in golf.

Image source: Golfeneur

Especially for amateurs, putting would account for close to 50% of all strokes of a golfer. More efficient putting improves a golfer's overall performance, and a lower number of puts can result to as many as an improvement of four shots in a golf score. But then, when avid golfers are hunted down, a majority of them use theirgolf cart covers as they are not in golf courses, but are in driving ranges to improve their swings rather than enhance their putting skills.

A golfer neglecting to improve on his or her putting skills does spell a difference between a golfer who is good and a golfer who wins with low scores. Here are some techniques in better putting:

• Know proper putter alignment.

A golfer should know where the "sweet spot" of the putter blade is, so that he or she can align it along the target line. A majority of golfers, particularly beginners (actually, it is recommended for learners) have a target line reflected on the putter blade's top or on the flange, which is located at the blade's back. The golfer should place the line of the putter aligned to the ball's dead center and straight through within the target line. This is the position where the golfer would want the blade to strike the ball.

• Where should the line of vision be?

When a golfer is already in a putting stance, he or she does not have to look down with his vision aligned to the ball. Golf experts and pros recommend that the golfer's look should be two inches forward from the line of vision straight down, as the ball should actually be placed two inches north of the center in the golfer's stance. This distance gives the golfer a better view of not just the ball, but the target line as well.

• Choosing the best putter style is a must.

Putters come in various styles, and the style of the putter used ultimately affects a golfer's stroke. For example, a putter with a simple bland and a hosel in the lower heel portion of the blade lends a slight arc to a putt. The key to success in this is for the golfer to know the quirks of each putter style and how to adapt them in his or her favor. This will take a lot of observation and practice with each putter style.

Force of the putter is important in perfecting a putt as well. In the end, it is one of those more obvious but often ignored golf facts that by putting effort in improving one's putting skills, improved scores can also be experienced.