Hands-on Training It's The Key To Great Putting

If you want to improve your putting, take advantage of your hands.

- Mario Guerra

I know, I know. You’ve probably been told to take your hands out of the stroke. But that doesn’t make sense. You’ve been training your hands to perform precise, coordinated movements even before you could walk, so why not let them help you putt? I’ll explain how in a moment, but first understand that great putting is all about controlling the putterface. If you can keep it square to the target longer, you’re going to roll the ball in a lot more. Start by getting behind the ball and identifying the line (above). Visualise the ball rolling on that line to the hole, and then trace that line back to where your ball is at rest. Once you do that, it’s time to make your new hands-on stroke. Read on for my advice on how to do it. —with ron kaspriske

GO FROM SHUT TO OPEN

- Here I’m demonstrating how my right hand should move during the backstroke and through-stroke (