As the weather starts to break in the Northeast and I’ll begin golfing again (yes, I’m a golfer first, a golf professional second) I’m wondering what I will do with my approach to putting this season. Last summer I started to experiment and play with a long putter. I have, in the past, only putted with a short putter, but always believed that using a long putter had certain benefits over the short putter, especially on short putts.
So, when I first started using the long putter, the easy part of the transition, and well as the most beneficial, was on short putts inside six feet. I couldn’t believe how good I was on short putts. So good, that I felt that the long putter should be declared illegal by the USGA (this has been spoken about, but so far that has not happened). The real benefit with the long putter, from a technique standpoint, is that you can “anchor” it to your chest, which can help stabilize the putter, and ultimately the putting stroke. However, the more challenging part of this transition, from short to long, is longer putts. There is a bit of a learning curve with this. But more importantly, even after using the long putter for a few months, I still had trouble with speed control, or what is sometimes referred to as pace. This is extremely important because you need the line (the amount of break you play) and the speed to match. So this was a continuing struggle, to the end of the season, and the one I just couldn’t get confidence with.
Now putting aside all the physical components of putting styles, the most important one that needs to be addressed is the mental. Are you confidents with your putting style? If you’re putting with a short putter, maybe experimenting or a change to a long putter, or a “belly” putter may do your putting good. Or it’s possible that a different short putter could make a difference, at least to your psyche. Because in the end, what really truly matters in putting is how you feel over the putt. If you’re standing over a two-footer and you think you’re going to miss it, chances are you will. Regardless of the method, find a putting style (or even a putter) that you have most confidence in – it will go a long way to helping you make more putts. For me, the jury is still out, but I can tell you this: I’ll be choosing the method I feel most confident with.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit Drive 495 in Soho area of Manhattan. Drive 495 is a very upscale golf / fitness center. If you love golf and this location is convenient, this place is the place to be! I guess you would say it is more of a “boutique’ fitness center, with everything being about golf! Owned and run by two brothers, Joe and Don Saladino, everything in this place is first class from the staff at the front desk to the locker rooms. And these two guys are great guys who love golf. Joe is a top ranked amateur in the Metropolitan area and Don is a high-energy fitness trainer, who is also TPI Golf Certified, along with his other fitness credentials.
This place has everything! Where do I start? Need golf specific personal training – they have it. Need golf lessons? You can get them, along with high tech 3D analysis and video. Just want to hit balls? You can do that in one of the six golf simulators they have (you can also play courses.) There’s a place to putt, a place to hang out and relax, you can get fit for clubs, and you can even get a freshly blended protein/fruit shake (I had one – very good indeed!).
I can’t say enough good things about this place. I was so impressed with the place and the Saladino brothers, that I scheduled a fitness assessment with Don so that he can give me an in-season, golf- specific exercise program. I ‘m excited to go back and if this seems a place for you, you should check it out – their website is www.driveclubs.com. You will be impressed!