Ever wonder why golfers tend to spend most of their practice time on the driving range rather than the putting green? Could it be that most derive greater satisfaction from seeing the ball fly into the air than from watching it just roll into a hole? Well, like it or not, putting accounts for almost 50 percent of our score. So next time you practice your game, it is good discipline to start at the putting green.

When you putt, you need to see, feel, breathe, and focus. Few things in a golfer's life beat the sound of a ball dropping into the cup. Follow these tips, and enjoy the sweet rewards of your senses at work.

  1. The eyes have it. Use your eyes to help line up a putt and visualize the ball rolling into the cup. Also, make sure your eyes are over the target line just before you make the stroke -- just as if you were preparing a shot in billiards. An easy test for position is to hold an additional golf ball between your eyes, just in front of the bridge of your nose. Then drop the ball. It should either hit or land slightly inside the ball that you are preparing to putt.
  2. Show your soft side. When holding the putter, keep your hands softly on the grip with thumbs down the middle. You should be able to feel the clubhead moving back and forth, like a pendulum. The motion of the stroke should come from your shoulders -- a gentle up-and-down rocking.
  3. Breeeeeath. Next, be sure you have a free and easy breathing pattern. Breathing in from your nose and out through your mouth will help to reduce tension and prevent a jerky stroke. Try to control the rhythm of your stroke by breathing in on your backswing and exhaling on your through swing. The smoother your breathing pattern, the smoother your stroke will become. Hyperventilating is a sure sign that your stroke will be too fast.
  4. Find your focus. Finally, on short putts, refrain from watching your ball. Instead, listen for the ball to drop into the hole. This will help you maintain a steady, smooth motion throughout your stroke. On long putts, do just the opposite. If you look at the line and your target throughout the stoke, you will be more likely to get the ball into the hole. Your eyes will help your mind know how hard to hit the putt. Think of a basketball player shooting a free throw; his eyes stay focused on the rim through the shot. The bottom line: Keep your eyes on the ball for short to medium putts but focus on the target during longer putts.

View previous tip: #5 The bump and run shot.

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