Master the Green: The “Too-High” Putting Game for Unshakeable Confidence
Are you frustrated with inconsistent putting? Do you struggle to read breaks and leave yourself short? There’s a surprisingly effective training game that can dramatically improve your feel and accuracy on the greens – and it’s called “too-High.” This isn’t about sinking every putt; it’s about fundamentally changing how you perceive and control your putts.
Why ”Too-High” Works: Beyond Customary Practice
Traditional putting drills often focus on making the ball go in the hole. However, professional putting is about precision and controlling distance. “too-High” shifts your focus to mastering the high side of the hole, building a crucial understanding of speed and break.You’ll quickly develop a better feel for what it takes to consistently leave the ball in a scoring position.
Furthermore,competing with a friend accelerates the learning process. Not only will your putting improve, but so will your partner’s, creating a mutually beneficial training surroundings.
How to Play: Simple Rules, Powerful Results
Here’s how to implement the “Too-high” game:
* Set the Stage: Use a string to define a line on the green.
* Distance: Choose putting spots anywhere along the string, between six and 20 feet from the hole.
* The Challenge: Each player attempts to putt their ball as close to the hole as possible, but crucially, above the string.
* What Loses: A putt is a loss if:
* The ball touches the string.
* The ball rolls below the string.
* The ball goes directly into the hole.
* Determining the Winner: If Player A fails to clear the line, Player B simply needs to leave their ball above the string to win. If both balls finish above the line, the ball closest to the hole prevails.
* The Honor: The winner chooses the next spot. if neither player wins, the person who putted second gets the honor.
* Winning the Game: Initially, play to six holes ahead. As you improve, increase the target to nine holes up.
The Core Principle: Feel the High Side
Remember, the goal isn’t to make putts. It’s to internalize what it feels like to consistently hit putts that finish above the hole. This builds a crucial understanding of speed control and break. You’ll start to recognize the “Too-High” line instinctively.
Translating “Too-High” to the Course
This game isn’t just a practice exercise. It’s a powerful tool for on-course performance. Once you’ve played “Too-High” regularly, you’ll begin to:
* Sense the Break: You’ll intuitively feel where the high side of breaking putts lies.
* Optimize Your Break: Aim for three-quarters of the break from the lowest possible line. This often represents the optimal line for consistent success.
* Improve Distance Control: Consistently hitting putts above the hole demands precise speed control.
Beyond the Game: A Shift in Perspective
“Too-High” isn’t just about mechanics; it’s about mindset.It encourages you to think differently about putting, focusing on control and precision rather than simply trying to hole every putt.This shift in perspective can unlock a new level of confidence and consistency on the greens.
So, grab a friend, lay down a string, and start playing “Too-High.” You might be surprised at how quickly your putting game transforms.
