In this issue PGA Professional Patrick Brady breaks down the art of putting into a few simple steps. Without over complicating what should be the simplest part of golf, Patrick explains your aim, grip, stroke and feel. If you want to avoid the dreaded ‘yips’, read on...

Choice...

If you know what suits you, fine - if not - seek advice
from a pro.

Selecting a putter is a personal process. We each have a different way of feeling and seeing a putt, and for that reason there are many different putters available to choose from. Some putters sit flatter and allow your hands to be lower at address, whilst some of the more modern putters tend to be more upright, forcing higher hands at address.

Ideal for the beginner and intermediate golfer, a face balanced putter can stabilize the stroke, encouraging you to take the club straight back and through.

A more skilled player who likes the putter to rotate around the body may prefer a heel weighted putter that is not face balanced.

We are looking for a lie angle that is parallel to the ground - this means that the base of the putter sits flat on the putting surface.

Grip...

Correct grip and address position The standard grip (right) should suit most players. My eyes are over the ball to target line, with the ball slightly forward in my stance to promote a good release whilst maintaining an arc in the right wrist which I will go into in more detail later.

Below I demonstrate some alternative grips, with correct ball position, which are now becoming more common on tour.

Experiment with a Belly putter. The ball should ideally be positioned directly underneath the belly button.

Cross handed, with left hand low, promotes a firmness of the wrists leading to better control of distance and helps square up the shoulders.

The Claw (or Caffeine Grip as I like to call it!) stops any twitching of the right wrist, which allows you to accelerate through the putting line.