| 3-Feet from the Hole | | | | concept. Here's all you need to know to have great |
| The most important aspect of putting is to decide on | | | | sand play...Open the blade of your sand wedge so |
| your line before the stroke. The only thing to be | | | | that it is directed about five feet to the RIGHT of |
| thinking DURING the stroke is how hard you need to | | | | the flag. Open your stance so the tips of your feet |
| hit the ball. Control how far the ball rolls by controlling | | | | and shoulders are aligned with each other such that |
| the distance you bring the putter back during the | | | | you are aiming about five feet LEFT of the pin. |
| backswing. The length of the forward swing past the | | | | When you swing back, only swing the clubhead as |
| ball should ALWAYS match the length of the | | | | HIGH as your right shoulder. Don't use more than |
| backswing. | | | | about 60% power on the swing. The clubface should |
| When determining the "line" for the putt, pay | | | | slice ACROSS AND DOWN THROUGH the sand, |
| particular attention to the lay of the green within a | | | | behind the ball. More than any other shot on the |
| three foot radius around the cup, as your golf ball will | | | | course, follow through is essential to lift the ball out |
| be rolling fairly slowly, and therefore will break more | | | | of the sand. If you want the ball to stop more |
| sharply within that area near the cup. You need to | | | | quickly, hit the sand about 1 inch behind the middle of |
| determine where you want the golf ball to be when | | | | the golf ball. If you want the ball to run, you need to |
| it is entering that three-feet-away radius. Always | | | | hit about 2.5 inches behind the middle of the ball. Use |
| attempt to putt the ball so it will go about one foot | | | | this method and your days of poor sand play are |
| past the hole if it misses. If it misses,watch the break | | | | behind you, but of course nothing comes without |
| PAST the hole, because that will give you the line for | | | | practice. Find a course in your area that has a |
| the tap in. | | | | chipping green with a bunker you can practice out of. |
| Get out of the Sand | | | | After a while, your confidence will skyrocket. |
| Sand play around the green really is a different | | | | |