PGA Features

Putting is quite a neglected aspect of the game - not many golfers take putting lessons, mostly just better players because they know the impact a good putting stroke can have on their scores.

PGA captain Parnell Reilly, head professional at Huddersfield's Bradley Park Golf Club, is a firm believer in experimenting with different putters and putting grips to achieve the best possible stroke and improve your game.

One of the first things you notice when you visit any professional tournament is the sheer variety of putting grips and styles employed.

At the recent De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship at Slaley Hall it was again evident that when it comes to getting the job done on the greens there is no right or wrong way. There were conventional grips, belly putters, left hand below right hand grips, claw grips - each and everyone was unique.

It was the same at the Open at Royal Birkdale - even within every three ball you could see distinct differences. And the point to emphasise here is that when it comes to putting there is no set pattern. It's whatever works for you.

There are certain characteristics such as most good players all have a nice slow rhythm to the putting stroke, and there's no real quick movement as they used to in the old days when players like Arnold Palmer would hunch of the ball and give it a fearful rap on the greens.

When it comes to putting my message to any golfer is to also get out there and experiment. Try every method, try left hand below right, have a go with a longer putter - find out if it makes a difference.

There are so many different types of putter out there to use - mallet putters, blade putters - it goes on and on.

And it doesn't have to be conventional. At the PGA Seniors Championship many of the seniors were swinging the club the way they have for the last 30 years which has worked for them.

The swings might not be text-book but they work and I believe the same can be true of putters.

Once you have found something that is comfortable then start to think about having some lessons with your local PGA professional.

Much time and energy is expended on trying to hit the ball miles but if you're serious about getting your handicap down then there's no better place to start than with the short stick.

The truth is that putting is quite a neglected aspect of the game - not many golfers take putting lessons, mostly just the better players because they know the impact a good putting stroke can have on their scores.

Many amateurs shy away from taking lessons until they start to get serious but if they would take it seriously from the start it could make a huge difference.

Parnell's Putting Tip:
One piece of good advice is for any golfer, no matter what their standard, is to record how many putts they take per round and to work out why they had so many putts.
Were they long, were they short, mis-read badly, pulled or pushed. Pick your putting to bits and find out where it's working and not working. Once you do that you can begin to understand what to work on.

Parnell Reilly is head professional at Bradley Park, Huddersfield - contact him on 01484 223 772.