Work on Your Putting

I just came across some interesting stats that might catch your attention:

(A) Luke Donald's 2012 Putting Stats:

• 3' and less 484/485
• 4' 108/112
• 5' 52/61
• 6' 38/50
• 7' 29/39
• 8' 17/38
• 9' 13/25
• 10' 20/34

 Total 762/843 (90.2%)

(B) Alignment Chart demonstrating the effect of putter face misalignment from distance of 5-20':

Degree of Putter Face Misalignment        Measurement of Misalignment from the indicated distance

.5 degrees                                             5'=.52"          10'=1.05"      15'=1.57"      20' = 2.09"

1 degree                                                5'=1.05"        10'=2.09"      15'=3.14"      20' = 4.19"

1.50 degrees                                          5'=.1.57"       10'=3.14"      15'=4.71"      20' = 6.28"

2 degrees                                              5'=2.09"         10'=4.19"      15'=6.28"      20' = 8.37"

3 degrees off at 20" = 12.56" off!

The moral of the blog:  Work on your putting. Be sure you understand how to align your putter face and how that affects your aim!

Golf is a Science Experiment

First, I want to thank everyone for their nice comments about the monthly golf instruction email called Different Strokes that is being sent out to all members. I hope you are able to receive more concise and consistent updates on what is occurring in our golf instruction programs. Let us know your thoughts!

Second, I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season. I have a lot to be thankful for this year. Additionally, I am happy to be able to pass along my knowledge, encouragement and new training ideas that will hopefully translate into lower scores and more enjoyable rounds for students!

I've been seeing golf in a new light lately and think it can be considered one big science project. Golfers are always looking for improvement through analysis, theories and results, much like a science experiment. When you're out at the range and learning and testing an idea, don't be afraid to try the extremes to see what results come about. Don't be afraid to try different clubs to see what will happen. If a golfer is having trouble with a slice and the club's face is impacting the golf ball open (or pointed to the right for right-handed golfers and left for left-handed golfers at impact), what kind of grip, even if exaggerated, will allow for a different club face result? If you feel more comfortable trying these experiments with a lab partner, the golf staff at The Landings Club is happy to help guide you through your project!

Happy Golfing!