More from Mel Sole • For Chipping, Try the 6-8-10 Method • For Pitching, Try the 7-8-9 Method

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Elsewhere on the Web • Ritson-Sole Golf Schools

How to Practice

Take 10 balls and line up a straight putt of about 4 feet as I am here in picture No. 1:

Now, start putting these putts with two objectives:

2. Make sure your putter face is square to your line at all times (also noted in picture No. 3). This is the most common fault with poor putters and takes the most work and concentration, but will pay off huge if you have the determination to get it right.

Set yourself a goal for the number of putts that you can hole in a row. Gradually increase this goal until you can get up to 50. Remember, if you miss one you have to start at one again!

This teaches you how to putt under pressure, because as you reach 45, 46, 47, 48 - you don't want to start at one again - so you must make a good stroke.

The secondary benefit of this practice method is to your subconscious. As you hole putt after putt at this distance, your confidence escalates and you have less and less fear of these putts.

If you don't have time to go to the course, remember - you can practice this at home on the carpet. This drill is a great way to work on your putting stroke.

About Mel Sole
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.