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From Mel Sole
Ritson-Sole Golf Schools
I play most of my golf with friends, students or members of Pawleys Plantation, and the most common cause I see for missed putts is movement. Golfers (including myself sometimes) are too keen to see where the ball is going and thus we "come out" of our original posture.
The small photo to the right clearly demonstrates what I see every week while taping students during the putting class. They are unaware and amazed at how much they move during putting. As you can see by my shoulder position, this "coming out" or "straightening up" makes the shoulders open up too soon, causing the putter head path to move to the left and resulting in a closed clubface. Most putts are missed on the left.
 Go to the practice green and consciously be aware of your posture position as you line up your putt.
After you have struck your putt "hold" the follow through (as in the photos to the left) for at least six seconds to give you time to check the following factors:
• 1. Is your body still in its original address position?
• 2. Is the putter head path still on line to the target?
• 3. Is the putter face still square to your target?
If any of these three things are not present you are losing shots due to missed putts. This "hit and hold" position will help you check if all is well with your putting stroke. Remember: no movement!
(You can see what I'm talking about by paying attention to the professionals next time you watch a pro golf event on television.)
Photos courtesy of Mel Sole; used with permission
About the Author
Mel Sole is a former South African Tour player with about 30 years of teaching experience in South Africa, Canada and the U.S. He is the co-founder of Ritson-Sole Golf Schools, which is rated by "Golf" magazine one of the 25 best golf schools in the U.S. Mel's home course is Pawleys Plantation in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Other Ritson-Sole Golf Schools are located in Wilmington, N.C., Atlanta, Blue Springs, Mo., Harrisburg, Pa., and San Sebastián de Amola, México. Visit the Ritson-Sole Web site for many more tips from Mel.
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