It’s common to think about short putts as easier to make than long putts — and it’s true, at least in theory. But during a round, sometimes those three-to-five footers can be the nerviest shots you face all day. And missing them can be supremely deflating.
For help making sure you drill all those shorties, GOLF Top 100 Teacher Trillium Rose has a simple tip that can help you.
In a video posted on Titleist’s YouTube page, Rose says there’s one simple key to ensuring those short putts roll in every time — keeping your hands quiet.
“You want to keep your hands out of [the stroke],” Rose says. “Having said that, you still need to make a little swing. So you’re gonna try to feel another way to do the swing, whether it’s in your shoulders or in your abs or somewhere else other than just your hands.”
Whatever you need to think about to engage these parts of your body — rocking a baby in a cradle, pushing your lead shoulder back and through — will be helpful, as long as the hands stay out of the stroke.
A go-to drill to never miss a short putt again
The next key is setting the putterface up for success at address.
“You need to set the face so it’s perfectly aimed at the cup,” Rose says. “It’s very important.”
Finally, you’re ready to putt, and Rose recommends keeping your stroke as short as possible.
“A tiny little tap doesn’t give me any opportunity to wiggle my hands,” she says, “and it’s going to ensure that I sink those little ones every time.”
Give Rose’s advice a try during your next round to sink every shortie you face on the course. And to watch a video of Rose’s tip in its entirety, click here.