The best way to become more successful with larger breaking putts is to understand the effect that speed has on how much the putt will break (turn).
I would like you to consider that there are basically three ways to hole each putt. Dead weight, which is just enough pace for the ball just to drop in the hole. Normal pace (considered optimum), where if the ball were to miss it would finish 9 inches past the hole.) Finally firm, which would maybe lead to a 2-3ft return putt if the ball were to miss.
The interesting thing to note is that all require a completely different aim! Unless the putt is straight each pace will require a different aim in order to hole the putt successfully. The firm pace will require the narrowest aim (straightest aim) and the dead weight pace will require the widest aim. It is worth noting that the aim for an intermediate or normal pace will fall somewhere in between these two points or boundaries. This phenomenon occurs as the slower the ball is rolling the more the slope and gravity can effect the turn of the ball, this means the faster the balls travels the straighter it will roll.
The exercise –
Take 10 balls and start by hitting putts at a dead weight pace where the ball just drops in the hole. Mark a tee peg where you find the successful aiming point for the dead weight pace. Take another 10 balls and repeat for normal pace then finally firm pace.
Now you have three tee pegs in the ground for the 3 different paces start mixing up the pace you use when trying to hole the putt. I.e. Try one firm, then one dead weight and then one normal pace.
As you start to take in the results and information you will be growing your experience when it comes to calculating break and aim for sloping putts.
The speed at which you hole the putt will dictate how accurate the putt will have to be in order to drop. The firm putt will only drop if it enters the hole near the centre, lipping out if it hits the edge of the hole (off centre). The dead weight putt will offer the biggest target to aim at as the ball can drop in from the side of the cup. The normal (optimum) pace will drop if the ball enters slightly off centre but won’t drop in from the lip.
Different players prefer different paces when it comes to holing putts, you need to choose and stick to a pace that suits you and your game, you will find that pace will severely effect how much the ball will turn on the greens. So now you can see that the same putt can have multiple successful aiming points don’t be tempted to watch too closely at you playing partners. Build your own experience of aiming and allowing for slope with your chosen pace and learn how to conquer the slopes!
Enjoy the tip and your practice
