Golf Putting Instruction--Is Golf Putting Instruction Important?

Now, don't worry and don't get uptight at the mention of that word--birdie!  The truth is, whatever handicap you have, you can still accomplish those birdies. Let's examine those opportunities for birdies and how to put more of them on your score card!

There are three ways to make a birdie:

First, you can birdie the par 5s by hitting the ball so far that you reach the green in two strokes and then use two putts.

Second, you can lay your approach shot .--or your tee shot on the par threes- so close to the pin that the putt is a mere formality.

Or, you can learn to sink those middle-distance and long putts and take one stroke on the green instead of the regulation two.

So, which do you think might work the best for you?

If you can reach the par 5's in two, fantastic for you, but you still need to know how to putt.  Let's be honest, usually the average player can't reach a par 5 green in less than three strokes.  So, if you are going to birdie you must either make a great approach shot so the putt is a mere formality, or you need to drain that first putt if your approach is not so great.  Oh, oh, did you see that word putt above, three times!

On the par 4s, if you are lucky enough to reach the green in two, that is absolutely fabulous. To make a birdie, you need to hole that first putt.  If you are approaching the green with your third shot, then only a hole in will give you a birdie, but a chip and a good putt will save you par.  There is that putt word again!

On the par 3s, the average golfer is often going to miss the green entirely on the tee shot.  Again, to make a birdie you have to hole your approach shot or if you make the green, you need that magic one putt. Oh, no, there is that putt word again!

Well, in all the scenarios, the word putt seems to be reoccurring. We all have the ability to learn to sink those middle-distance and long putts. We all have the opportunity to learn to take one stroke on the green instead of the regulation two!

So, let's ask the question again. Which way of making birdies do you think might work the best for you? You are right--the third is by far the most productive and for us non-pro players, really a chance to drop those shots and get to a lower handicap.

In eighteen glorious holes there are eighteen glorious opportunities to drop the ball into the hole with your first putt. So, if you want to shave some strokes off your score and make more birdies, work on your putting!