Develop the Feel of the Pros.

January 3, 1998

Hi, I’m Mel Sole, Director of Instruction at the Mel Sole Golf School, headquartered at Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club in Pawleys Island, SC. We conduct 1, 2 and 3-day golf schools, hourly golf lessons, and senior golf schools—any golf instruction program your heart desires. Give us a call at 800-624-4653 or 843-237-4993. We will be happy to book a commuter school or a package that contains accommodations, golf, and golf school.

This month's tip by Mel Sole.

Usually, when we 3-putt, it's because we have left the first putt either too long or too short; rarely do we leave our first putt too wide left or right of the hole. The reason for this is...

Lack of feel.

What is this thing called "feel"? Is it something that exists in our hands? No - feel exists in your subconscious! Take a ball and throw it to a target; you'll find that you do not think of your target distance in feet and inches. You also don't consider how far back to take your hand to achieve this distance. This is because we grew up as kids throwing a ball, and our subconscious knows exactly how hard to throw the ball to reach the target. So if you want to develop a good feel as a golfer, you have to train your subconscious to know exactly how hard to hit your long putts.

The Method

Picture #1

As in picture #1, set up about 20 balls and aim to target 35 feet away. Once you have lined up, I want you to putt the ball at the target, looking at the hole and not at the ball. (See picture #2.)

Picture #2

Now, this may feel a little weird at first, but you'll soon get used to it. Remember, do not look at the ball when you putt - look at the hole.

If you hit your first putt too hard, hit your next putt a little softer, still looking at the hole. If you hit that putt too soft, then hit the next one a little harder. Continue this with each ball until you get a feel for exactly how hard to hit the putt. (See photo #3.)

Picture #3

Once you have hit all the balls to your target, pick a new target, and start all over again. Remember, though, this is a practice drill for the putting green only. When you are on the course, take your practice swings looking target, but once you line up, look at the ball to contact the center of the face.

This practice drill, plus the lesson on short putts, will all but eliminate 3-putting from your golf game. If you have questions about this or other lessons, call me at 800-624-4653 or email melsolegolf@gmail.com, and I will be glad to help.

Thanks for reading - Develop the Feel of the Pros.

This month's tip by Mel Sole.

The Method

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