What was true in the Roaring ’20s, when golf was played in ties and knickers and with hickory-shafted clubs, remains true today. The short putt can be a killer. Never take a short putt for granted or change your technique:
- Go through your routine.
- Get comfortable.
- Make a good stroke.
For most short putts, anything inside about five feet, the best advice is to hit the ball firmly. Stroke the ball a little harder than you think necessary, playing for the back of the cup. This way you can eliminate some or all of the break, and, as noted above, it’s always easier to deal with a straight putt than one that curves. (However, if the sideslope is severe, you might want to play it more delicately, like a “downhill putt.”)
- To ensure a firm stroke, concentrate on the follow-through.
- Strive for a slightly longer than normal finish, holding it, and keeping your head still, until you hear the ball plop into the hole.
- Finally, develop short-putt confidence by holing them all. In weekend play, many golfers concede the little ones to their partners and opponents. While a gentlemanly gesture, it actually weakens your nerve, which will be tested if you ever play competitively, when every ball must be putted out. So even when the short ones are conceded, play them.