====================================================
BCC Golf Newsletter - Issue 158 Date 01/10/11
====================================================


====================================================
TCT Quick Tip - Trust Your Skills
====================================================


One reason many putts are missed is that the average green is far from perfect. 

Ball divots, spike marks, footprints, and grass disease - all can kick the ball off line. 
If you learn to accept the fact that you are never putting on a smooth pool table-like 
surface, you will not be so quick to blame a faulty stroke, which in turn leads to 
negative thinking and low confidence in putting. 

Practice the different aspects of your putting by isolating each skill, and then practice 
with good feedback to enhance your improvement process. 

Trust your skills once you're out on the course. When you stroke a good putt, say 
to yourself  "that was a good putt"  regardless of the outcome. 

Don't change what you're doing just because your miss a few putts.  A good
putt is still a good putt, even if it happens to miss.

Enjoy,

Tom


====================================================
Golf Tip:  How To Putt Under Pressure
====================================================


Here’s some tips to help you putt better, especially when under pressure: 

OWN a good putting routine, and do it every time before you putt.  I've mentioned
quite a few in this newsletter, have ONE and OWN it. 

Dedicated practice will train your brain to help your stroke hold up under pressure. 
For more effective practice, maintain total focus on every stroke.  This is tough,
but very effective.

Keep your head still during your stroke and halfway into your follow through. 

Wrist movement in your putting stroke won't hold up well under pressure because 
it requires additional coordination and timing. It also adds speed to your stroke which
is hard to gauge, especially on short putts. A big muscle pendulum stroke (shoulders, 
and arms moving together in a rocking motion), holds up much better under pressure. 

Use a putter that looks good to your eye. This adds confidence when facing the pressures of putting. 

Get a putter that fits your own stroke, don't adjust your stroke to fit your putter.
I can't tell you how many very good putters are held back from greatness because
their putters are not properly fit. Pretty stupid actually.

Enjoy,

Tom