Tips on Using Long Putters

Golfers are prone to the “yips,” a common problem for those who experience twists or jerks of the wrist while making a golf stroke. This has a damaging effect on putting strokes. The long putter made its debut in the 1980s, designed to minimize the “yips” and keep the game on track. The long putter popularly used on different golf tours is not popular on the PGA Tour. Tom Lehman and Orville Moody are two golf professionals that use the long putter.

  1. Pendulum Action

    • Hold the shaft of the long putter at a vertical angle with the face of the putter set squarely behind the ball. This allows the golfer to hit an almost perfect pendulum stroke – striking the golf ball evenly and in the right direction. Wrap the left hand, knuckles facing forward, around the butt of the putter. The forefingers of the right hand need to be positioned behind the shaft, which should be almost vertically positioned. The right hand guides the pendulum stroke. The grip should be loose because a tight grip can upset the swing.

    Grip

    • The grip of the long putter is crucial; hands set far behind the ball will cause the golfer difficulty in getting it to roll correctly on impact. The hands need to be positioned forward enough at the time of setup. Hands gripping the shaft of the putter from the front will provide consistent striking of the golf ball. The right thumb moves the long putter back to begin a stroke, and the forefingers provide the acceleration needed to move the putter through the stroke. The guiding hand should not be removed before the shaft makes contact with the ball; it results in a dead force for the stroke.

    Gentle Pressure

    • Golfers experience a breakdown in the wrist area as the hands work independently and at inopportune moments. These are common putting problems that the long putter can resolve. Hands need to be positioned gently on the shaft of the putter. The left hand does little more than stabilize the shaft, sitting on the butt end of the club in a relaxed manner. Position the right hand on the club with fingers extended; pressure from the thumb gently eases the putter back and then the extended fingers guide the putter in the direction of the hole. Golfers need to maintain consistent pressure without increasing or decreasing pressure at any time during the stroke.

    Follow Through

    • The long putter makes swinging for a stroke practically effortless. This can tempt the golfer into allowing the putter’s momentum to carry the ball. When this happens, the golfer fails to drive the shot, stopping short of the follow through. The result is a reduced force at the point of contact, and the shot does not succeed in traveling the needed distance. There is a threat to the accuracy of the shot due to a weak stroke and poor follow through. Maintaining contact for the follow through will prevent these problems.