[O.B.Left]

Hi Kevin -
Please explain your "hitting" stroke for putting. I am at wits end with short putts - couple of "spasms" every round on 2 to 4 footers.

I putt quite well on longer putts using a "gravity" based stroke, but since the putter does not move far enough or high enough on short strokes to let momentum do its job, I need to find another way.

Any help greatly appreciated

Well the yips are complex but perhaps one of the TGM defined methods of how to power your stroke might help you with the short ones.

TGM has three Zones, 1 pivot, 2 arms, 3 hands. Each one can be used to power to the putter but its best to not combine them for such a low power and precise bit of business. Arnie and the guys who used to put the old slow greens often used a Zone 3, hands only, 10-3-F Peck, Minor Basic Stroke. but you dont see it much anymore unless you're playing with someone from that era. They'd zero out the Pivot and Arms and just use the hands.

Most pros today use Zone 1, Pivot Putting, 10-3-H The Paw, Minor Basic Stroke. Using a shoulder rocking action with zero arm participation, so no right arm thrust or straightening, which would be using two Zones and dangerous. Most average golfers today use a bit of both 1 and 2 , typically in a compensating manner, say a push alignment with a right arm thrust that pulls the ball back on line. Very difficult to coordinate and be consistent. Terrible putters can have all three Zones working with a bit of throwaway in the hands added in there. Yikes.

Which leaves us with a pure Zone 2, arms only or hitting putting. With the shoulder participation zeroed out the Primary Lever ( the left arm and club) is pulled and pushed through the shot by the Right Arm. There are variations within this procedure so do some research into it. A very effective method but not popular on tour these days. Its key to not add a second Zone or Power accumulator here as well. You need, must get to both arms straight so you have to pre locate the position of the right shoulder so that you have the appropriate amount of right arm to get you to the length of stroke you need at Both Arms Straight. Typically a pushed put is the result of not fully extending the right arm and a pull resulting from unwanted shoulder participation. The fully extended right arm "closes the door" and aligns the clubface properly to prevent the open face push.

There is a lot of great information on the Alignment Golf DVD, the entire third CD devoted to putting.