Putting, the Early Season Edge by Kylan Borton, CPGA Professional FGCC

With the golf season on the horizon, I’ve seen a lot of eager golfers down at the course. When talking with them I ask if they managed to get any golf games in over the off season. The lucky ones have headed south to warmer climates allowing them to play a few rounds, while others enjoyed another Fernie winter with golf far from their minds. Some though have practiced their putting in their basements or on “the most golf green like” carpet in the house! This idea may seem silly to some or just obsessive and crazy to others, but to me it’s a great way to get a jumpstart on the season.

Putting has always and will always be the key to shooting a good score in a round of golf. However, little to no time is put into practicing this aspect of the game especially in the early season. The weather doesn’t help much either as it is often cold or raining to start the spring golf season. As a result we head indoors, back to the basement we go, watching golf on TV and the rain through the windows. We might as well make the best of it and get some practice in. To tell you the truth, putting indoors is one of the best ways to practice…as long as you practice properly.

To start you are going to need a super level and flat spot. Carpet isn’t very reliable and is often bumpy and inconsistent. So, if you don’t have a super flat and level spot I would suggest buying a synthetic putting green with a hole in it. They are fairly inexpensive. Some higher end models have actual leveling bubbles to create a flat surface! If your surface is not perfectly flat your practice may hurt you more than help. It’s very important that putts roll straight.

Now, we have created a great feedback device for practicing putting. Practicing on a perfectly flat surface will show you where you are missing the putts - a perfectly flat surface never lies. If your stroke is off and you hit the putt left, it will miss left! Practicing on a normal grass putting green will always have inconsistent bumps and hills and you will never really know if your stroke is off and where you are missing the putts. This type of practice is used to help you hit your target line and putt the ball straight at the hole. If you can’t hit a putt straight down your line you are going to have a tough time making putts at the course!
Once the weather clears and you are already hitting your putts straight, all you’ll have to do is figure out how hard to hit it!

We’ll be supplying golfing tips throughout the spring and summer. Let us know if you have any specific questions and we’ll do our best to answer them! Send queries to info@clarismedia.com and visit www.golffernie.com for more information on the Fernie Golf & Country Club.