DISTANCE CONTROL ALWAYS PUTS YOU CLOSE
Next up is the Roll- Roll-Stop Drill, which addresses spacial
awareness. When you can accurately judge space or, in putting, distance, you’ll stop hitting putts way short or blasting them by the hole. You’ll be playing with your innate sense of space. Grab a coin or heavy ball marker and toss it anywhere on the green, then set up to a ball with the coin as your target. As you size up the distance, I want you to use what’s called an awareness loop. Look from the ball to the coin, then bring your awareness back to the ball with your eyes still on the coin, and finally return your eyes to the ball. You’re running your awareness in front of your vision, which creates a deeper connection to what you’re trying to do. Repeat this a few times. Now hit the putt, closing your eyes after impact. Start saying in your mind, Roll . . . roll . . . roll, and when you think the ball is about to stop, slowly turn your head to the target, open your eyes and say, Stop. See how close you got to the coin ( left ). Toss it again to a different spot, making the distance as randomised as possible. You can use this technique when you play, too. You’re learning to be externally connected to the target and feeling out the distance without thinking about how hard to hit the ball or how long your stroke should be. Those mechanical thoughts only clog the process. Spacial awareness is a skill you already have – and the more you exercise it, the better it gets.
GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA 99
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