Tim Mahoney Golf Blog

Putting 101

On September 13, 2016 in Puttiing by Megan Thompson

Putting 101
By Tim Mahoney

Poor putters have more clubs than strokes and great putters have a putter that matches their putting motion. Recently during a Mahoney Golf Academy session at the Troon North Golf Club, I had my assistant place all of the students putter along a wall in the golf shop. Twenty students where in the session and only half of them could find their putters. Moral of story, great putters have a putter that matches the motion and poor putters blame the equipment.

Basically, there are 2 types of putters or equipment available to a golfer: a face balanced putter or a shaft balanced putter. A face balanced putter is a club that is balanced from heel to toe and is built in a manner where the club swings straight back and forth on both sides of the swing and remains square on both sides of the swing. A shaft balanced putter is a club designed to swing inside to allow to inside on both sides of the swing and the face should open to close.

Golfers who prefer a balanced putter should address the following: Hold the club in the palm of hands, stand close the golf ball with your eyes over the target line, hold the club tightly in your arms and hands. As you swing the golf club keep the club face looking at the ball or target on both sides of the swing and focus on the shoulders producing the power source of the motion.

Golfers who prefer a shaft balanced putter should address the following: Hold the clubs in the fingers of both hands, stand tall with your eyes inside the target line with a loose arm and finger hold. As you swing the club allows your arms to control the speed and move the club inside on both sides of the motion. The club face should open on the back swing and close on the forward side of your motion.

Jack Nicklaus produced a motion where the putter swung straight back and forth on both sides and Ben Crenshaw and Phil Mickelsen produced a motion where the putter swung inside to inside on both sides. Two different motions but had great results. Pick a golf club or putter that matches your eye or motion.

Tagged With: 1putt, better, golf, improve, lesson, mahoneygolf, playtroon, putting, shortgame, tim, timmahoney, troon

Green Reading- An Art or Science?

On August 30, 2016 in Puttiing by Megan Thompson

An Art or a Science
By Tim Mahoney

All great putters from Bobby Locke to Ben Crenshaw, share the unique talent of superb green reading. Consistent putting is the combination of distance control, directional control and the ability to read a green. I have been in the golf instruction arena for over 30 years and I believe that green reading is an art not a learned science. Consistent green reading consist of the following:

1.       All golf courses have some type of a prevailing break. Away from mountains, towards the water or towards the setting sun. At the Westin Kierland Golf Club in Scottsdale Arizona where I conduct he majority of my winter instruction, the general rule is that “all putts will break towards Phoenix,” based on the elevation and the roll of the land. When checking into the golf shop for the next round of golf, asked the professional staff the green breaking tendency.
2.       As you approach the putting surface look for areas of drainage. The golf ball will generally break in the direction of water runoff. The golf ball will generally break towards lakes, creeks, ponds and drainage bunkers.
3.       As you read your putt, you want to align yourself behind the ball on the target line as close to the ground as possible. In this position you are reviewing the overall direction of the putt. Imagine if you were to pour water over the line of the putt, where would the water run. This is the direction of the break.
4.       Walk to the halfway point on the low side of the putt. From here, you are reviewing the overall distance of the putt. It is much easier to measure something from the side than it is from behind.
5.       Next, walk to the hole, from here you are reviewing any sudden breaks at the cup, grain direction and reviewing the direction. (Grain direction is indicated at the cup by any worn areas inside the hole. A worn edge will indicate the direction of the grain. A shiny look will indicate grain growing away from you, a faster putt, a dull look, the grain growing towards you and a slower putt.)
6.       Speed will always determine the break. Less speed means more break and speedier putts means less break. When I am asked by a golfer,” which way will this putt break,’ I ask the golfer “how much speed is required?” (Aim putter string)

Directional control, distance control and the ability to read a putt are the keys to excellent putting. Your first read is always the correct one. Trust your read, stick with a consistent routine, aim the putter and your body and react to the target.

Tagged With: game, golf, greens, improve, moahoneygollf, playmoregolf, playtroon, putt, putting, read, timmahoney, troongolf

4 Steps to Successful Putting

On January 25, 2016 in Puttiing by Megan Thompson

4 Steps to Successful Putting

By: Tim Mahoney

If you were to watch the good putters on any of the tours, they all have the same type of routine, a routine for success. As you approach putting, your mind must be on your hands, assisting you with controlling distance. Consistent players utilize fact not fiction. Develop this routine, and you will become a great putter.

Step 1- Walk into the golf ball with your right hand only on the club. During this motion you have three goals: establish an angle in the back of your right wrist (this angle must be maintained during the entire motion.) Aim your clubface at your target. Align your right forearm on the same plane as the shaft.

Step 2- Position your body (all shots in golf, you must align club than body.) Position your eyes over the target line, weight even, golf ball forward in your stance with boxed feet.

Step 3- Position your left hand onto the club. As you slide your hand onto the club, position both thumbs on the flat part of the club with your palms facing each other. Flatten your left wrist and maintain the bend in your right wrist.

Step 4- Swing the putter with the arms. Quiet torso motion as you maintain the hand position. Hold the follow thru until the ball comes to a rest. Your mind must be on controlling distance. Perfect distance is the effect of maintaining the hand position.

All good putters develop a routine. I believe great putters develop an angle in the back of their right wrist at address and they maintain this angle throughout the stroke. As a result, pre-set this angle at address and maintain this angle during the entire motion. Consistent performers utilize fact not fiction.