Putten

"The other game" ist zwar nicht unser Hauptfokus, aber für niedrige Runden ist es unerlässlich. Hier ein schönes Statement von Altmeister Ben Crenshaw:

I suppose you'd have to say that one of the main reasons for my putting success is that I've tried to always keep my method simple. Leaning over the ball, I don't think precise or mechanical thoughts. I just stay loose, comfortable and easy. I think of the pace I want the ball to travel, then picture how far to the right or left the ball should travel around the hole. Think of it this way: the object is to see how close you can come to the hole every time. The bonus is when, and if, the ball falls. Putting is an entirely personal sort of thing and I believe it should be your own. There is really no right or wrong way to stand or set up. If you follow the sport, you know there have been many successful putters with radically different methods.

I will, however, share with you some helpful guidelines: First, get comfortable and relaxed. Consistent putts stem from consistent, solid strikes on the middle of the clubface. A solid hit is something you can usually hear and feel. So don't change your stroke too often, just try to meet the ball solidly. Make sure your tempo is even--back and through. Whether that tempo is fast, slow or in between, it's important to think of the back swing and swing through the ball. Don't be so anxious to see the results--stay down through the putt. I'll let you in on a secret--seven times out of ten, the reason I hit a bad putt is that I was too eager to see what happened to the ball. It's a natural impulse. By following these few simple guidelines... and remembering that the object is to see how close you can get to the hole... you should see marked improvement on the greens.