Putting Tips with Robin All, PGA Life Member
Last week, we emphasized the importance of striking the ball on the sweet spot (the balance point of the putter face) to improve both direction and distance control.
This week, let’s consider the difference—and possible results—between the wrist tap and the shoulder stroke.
When I first started playing in the 1950s, nearly every top player putted and chipped with a wristy motion. Greats like Billy Casper and Bob Rosburg were among the best at it. By the 1960s, however, the stiff-wristed shoulder stroke began to gain popularity, as many believed it was more reliable under pressure. The thinking was simple: hands and fingers tend to tremble, but shoulders do not.
Fast forward to today, and you’ll see endless experimentation on Tour—different grips, postures, straight-back strokes, arc strokes, and a new putter model in the spotlight each week. But what you won’t see are wristy strokes.
Lesson to take away: Learn from history and from what the best players are doing now. Stick with the shoulder stroke to give yourself the best chance at consistency on the greens.
Robin All, PGA Life Member
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