P U T T I N G
GET MORE JUMPY IN YOUR PUTTING PRACTICE
ing around so that your heart rate remains elevated. Why four to 12 feet? Because these are the putts you expect to make under normal circumstances, which ratchets up the pressure even more. Try this exercise the next time you’re on the practice green, and you’ll be much better conditioned to handle the additional adrenaline you en- counter under pressure, whether it’s standing over a five-footer to win your weekend bet or an eight-footer to capture your club championship.
much. Push-ups are also a very effec- tive exercise. I use this method with my better juniors and college players, but it’s good for any level of player who’s competing in tournaments and play- ing under pressure. After jumping rope for a half-minute, choose a putt between four and 12 feet. Hit three putts to that hole, then return to jumping rope and repeat again, choosing a different-length putt and hole. Repeat once more. Performing this drill as a circuit keeps you mov-
I found that sprinting around the green for 30 seconds was too ex- hausting for the majority of my stu- dents. When it came time to putt, they’d be practically bent over at the waist trying to catch their breath. So I had them jump rope for 30 seconds instead, and then go putt. This was more than enough to push their heart rate above the normal 60 to 100 beats per minute – jumping rope has been known to raise one’s heart rate two to three times faster than other exercises – without fatiguing them so
90 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
JUNE 2026
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