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Question 546

Caress, Don't Strike

From: Scott:
On short putts, the instruction to extend and push the ball towards the hole works well, but requires no resistance on the putter head to have enough momentum to prevent double hits. I just discovered the technique of "unsoling' the putter just before the pushing action to make the head weightless and apply a slight strike to the ball crisply pushing it ahead.

Is this what you recommend?

I wouldn't put it that way; the double hits come from not creating enough room to go forward. You need at least 4 inches behind the ball for 3 foot putts and 6 inches for 6 footers. Also you won't double hit as long as the putter doesn't pass you hands. The reach for the hole is a caress not a strike.

I do think that it is a terrific idea to lift the putter blade off the ground. I ground nothing driver, fw woods, long irons, short irons and putter.

PS: The act of pushing the ball toward the hole is illegal, this is not a push.

The S.A.G.E
Single/Axis/Golf/Expert