John Hamarik's Tips of The Trades - Advice from a PGA Pro.

#4 - A Powerful Putting Method

Objective: Sink the 5 to 15 footer every time!

This is not to slight the 5 footers or closer shots but the 5 to 15 foot shots are the “money shots” in golf. If you master these shots, to paraphrase Lee Trevino, “Your caddy will be on the top 20 money list!” Just think, two putting a green can be a thing of the past. I know, I know I’m dreaming. Your right but, success in golf happens when we master small parts of our game and build on those. If you are able to consistently one putt one of four greens per round that knocks at least 5 and probably more strokes off your score. That’s only two on the front 9 and two on the back. Very doable. Remember we’re looking for little victories to build on. This is bite-size golf at its finest.

Action: “focus Funnel” forces the ball to go in the hold! There’s a powerful tool, not in your bag, that will surprise you at what it can accomplish. I call it the “focus funnel.” Like the shape of a funnel wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. This invisible funnel is made up of our arms as the wide end of the funnel, the putter as the funnel neck, and the ball as the narrow end. The focus funnel is only used in our putting stroke.

Picture the legendary Ben Hogan, or another great putter in his putting stance. Now envision the funnel I described above. Here’s how to use this invisible tool.

Enter your golfer’s circle. Prepare and plan your target line.

Line your sight and club face to your target line.

Step to the ball and plant your feet. Feel for and set your balance point.

Square up the club face to your target line.

(Optional): You may take a practice swing to measure your feel for the target line. Then step to the ball and square up your club face.

You’ve now reached your setup point.

In those few seconds before you pull the club back, focus on a spot just below the “equator”, of the golf ball.

Think of your focus funnel as one piece, moving together, back, then forward and through.

Now trigger the SIFT method. As you pull the club back, slowly say to yourself, “SQUARE” as you finish the word your takeaway is complete.

Now slowly say “IMPACT” finishing the word as the club strikes the ball.

Finally, say “FOLLOW THROUGH” as the club face moves through the impact point and along the target line. Keep your eyes glued to the impact point until you finish saying, “follow through”. Only then you can follow the ball’s path.

The tempo or rhythm you use for the words will groove to your stroke as you use it more and more.

There you have it, the focus funnel forces your hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders to move as one unit. It guarantees square impact and a true roll. With the right target line and the correct stroke you’ll sink the putt every time!