"Everybody can get better on 15 minutes per day."
"You can even get better on 5 minutes per day."
Tom Tucker, Unrenowned Golf Coach 😄
Tom's Featured Tip: How To Develop A "Stock" Putting Stroke
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How To Develop A "Stock" Putting Stroke
The Best Training Aid For Indoor or Outdoor Practice
The Divot Board
This is the most useful ball striking development training aid that I own.
How To Develop A "Stock" Putting Stroke
For simplicity, all advice on actual swings or drills is provided from a right handed perspective.
In Newsletter Issue 896: Putting - Here's What's Most Important the absolute importance of distance control in putting was identified.
Along these lines, I recently read an article that defined handicap by how close to the hole your ball lies after stroking a 25 ft putt:
- players who tend to leave themselves a two footer or less on a 25-foot putt generally corresponds with a scratch handicap
- players who leave themselves between two feet and three feet generally shoot in the low 80s
- players who finish between three and four feet (or more) generally shoot in the 90s or above.
I first saw this phrase "Stock Putting Stroke" in a book written by Geoff Mangum - "Optimal Putting", when I was a junior college golf coach. I thought it was a profound concept then and I still do.
A "stock" putting stroke is a reliable, repeatable motion used for a standard distance putt (usually 15-25 feet). It is the foundation of consistent putting.
A "stock" putting stroke involves:
- creating a predictable pendulum motion
- neutralizing wrist action
- and establishing a consistent tempo.
- Establish your "Stock" Setup
Neutralize Wrists: Use a putting grip that minimizes wrist action (such as reverse overlap, left-hand-low, claw, or pencil grip) to keep the putter face stable.
Shoulder Driven Pendulum Stroke: Avoid using your hands and wrists. Let your shoulders and chest rock the putter, acting like a pendulum.
Posture and Position: Stand with slight knee flex and, if necessary for comfort, a slightly more upright, back-friendly posture. Position your eyes just inside the ball line rather than forcing them directly over it.
Light Pressure: Grip the putter with light, even pressure, similar to holding a tube of toothpaste without squeezing it.
- Define Your Stroke Length (The "Stock" Motion)
Foot to Foot Method: A common "stock" stroke involves taking the putter back to your back foot (right foot for right-handers) and through to your front foot.
Determine Distance: On a practice green with a flat putt, measure how far the ball rolls with a smooth, consistent tempo using this foot-to-foot motion. Stroke ten putts in opposite directions to establish your feel for the stroke. This distance becomes your baseline "stock" putt.
Calibrate Stroke Length: Practice adjusting by taking the putter just past the back foot for longer putts or just before for shorter ones, maintaining the same rhythm.
- Drills to Develop Consistency
The Gate Drill (Accuracy): Place two tees or alignment sticks just wider than your putter head, a few inches in front of the ball. This forces you to hit the ball on the intended line with a square face.
Distance Ladder Drill (Pace Control): Place markers at 15, 20, 25, and 30 feet. Practice hitting putts that stop in designated zones to develop a feel for distance, rather than just aim.
Metronome/Tempo Training: Use a metronome app to create a consistent, steady rhythm. Focus on a 2-to-1 ratio (backstroke takes twice as long as the forward stroke).
- Create a Consistent Pre-Putt Routine
Mental Routine: To build confidence, establish a routine that involves reading the green, feeling the slope, and taking one or two rehearsal strokes to feel the required pace.- Step in
- square the putter face first
- align your feet
- take one last look at the hole
- put a good stroke on the ball and trust it
Try it, you'll really like it!
Email Comments: to TomTuckerGolf@gmail.com
Mike Bennett and Andy Plummer, The Stack and Tilt Swing
Love your practice, own your swing, own your health, and remember that golf is a game of discovery. Don't be afraid to experiment when you practice, it's good for your golfing brain.
Tom
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Buying a sponsored product through any of my affiliate links helps support this free newsletter, and I only affiliate with excellent products that I use myself. Thanks, Tom
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BONUS: when you buy through the newsletter link above, you'll also receive free access to my Putting Lesson Videos ($60 value) which cover: The Elevated Aimline Drill, The Squareness Awareness Drill, The Aimline Accuracy Drill, The Stock Putting Stroke Drill, The Barrier Drill, The Short Putt Channel Drill, and more.
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All the best,
Tom Tucker
Teaching Professional, Batavia Country Club
WGTF ' "Top 100 Golf Teacher"
USGTF Class "A" Teaching Professional
IGPA Certified Golf Psychology Coach
Cell: (716) 474-3005
Email: TomTuckerGolf@gmail.com
http://www.TomTuckerGolf.com
"There are no substitutes in the quest for perfection1"
~ Ben Hogan