February 10, 2009

Making 4-Footers

1. Stroke with your shoulders.

Because these putts require only a short stroke, there's a temptation to just pop them with your hands and arms. Don't let that happen. Be disciplined, and control the motion by rocking your shoulders. You'll be much more consistent.

2. Focus on a square face.

Direction is everything on putts from four feet and in. The ball will go wherever the face is pointing at impact, so make sure you start with it square. In fact, square the face before you take your stance. On longer strokes the face rotates open and closed, but on short ones it should point at the hole from start to finish.

3. Keep your head still, eyes down. >

Peeking is a major fault on short putts; I've struggled with it myself. If your eyes move, your head moves, and so does your upper body, throwing the stroke off line. Here's a drill to train your eyes: Place a dime four feet from a hole, put the ball on top of the dime, and stroke the putt, making sure you see the dime after impact.

Sorenstam runs the Annika Academy at Ginn Reunion Resort near Orlando. Click here for a video of Annika demonstrating her swing tips.