Acceleration is the increasing speed at which the clubhead moves through the ball and is important not only for hitting shots of substantial distance, but also for short putts. In fact, if you find that you’re missing too many short putts, the cause may be failure to accelerate the putterhead. Here’s a drill that will help.

On your carpet, set up a hole or target that will permit you to set up for a flat and straight putt. Place a sand wedge perpendicular to the line of the intended putt so that the face is down and the thinner part of the shaft is on the line of the putt. The shaft should lie just at the edge of the cup or target.

From a distance of three feet, putt to the hole with sufficient speed so that the ball will hit the shaft, pop into the air and fall in the hole. If you decelerate the putterhead through the stroke, you’ll generate insufficient speed for the ball to overcome the shaft in front of the hole. However, smooth acceleration of the putter will produce enough speed to hole the putt over the shaft.

This drill should be part of your regular practice routine, as it will teach you to accelerate the putterhead and give you confidence to make those short putts that are critical to good scoring.

Good luck, Joshua