Having a good feel for distance is as important as having the perfect line. How many strokes would we all save if we could get our first putts within a 2- foot radius of the hole. Developing a feel for distance begins by the ability to feel the putter-head swing back and through. Our hands are the direct link to the putter-head. If we hold on too tight, there is no chance that we will be able to have any feel of the putter head. Hold on lightly and feel the putter-head swing back and through like a pendulum.

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If I had to point to one flaw that most amateurs share, it's the reverse pivot. A reverse pivot occurs when the head and upper body tilt toward the target in the backswing and the weight shifts onto the left (front) foot rather than the right (back) foot. This is the exact opposite of what should happen in an efficient golf swing.

Since your weight falls away from the target during a reverse pivot, it's difficult to finish on the left leg at the end of the swing. The major cause for the reverse pivot I've observed is an improper first move and trying to keep the club face pointing at the ball through the entire backswing. If when you make the first move (last weeks tip) and the club is parallel to the ground and the toe "is not" pointing straight up with at that time, the only way to complete the swing is to raise the arms, thus pulling the left shoulder and head down going into a reverse pivot. This is compounded by the fact your wrists can not cock correctly, because the back of your hands are pointing at the ground, which if cocked will put the club out of the swing plane.

Another cause of a reverse pivot is trying to keep the head too still to point of restricting the rotation of your spine. Without body rotation you are forced into an arm swing equals a reverse pivot. Golfers with this problem are constantly told to "keep their head down". This is real good reason "NOT" to listen to your golfer buddies and seek the help of a teaching professional. You raise your head, because you pulled it down (they don't see this). Your brain knows you'll hit the ground if you don't raise back up, so you do (they see this). So you listen and here you are, head locked, swinging with your arms only and wondering why your distance and consistency are in the toilet.Allow your chin to rotate slightly away from the target.

This allows the left shoulder to turn under the chin and your upper body to coil into the correct position behind the golf ball. A good, upper-body pivot will naturally shift your weight onto your right leg without a conscious effort to do so. Now you're in a powerful position and poised to deliver the club on-plane.

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The ideal plane for your swing is the one in which the club head and grip end point at the target line (line created from the ball to the target) during the back swing and down swing.

If on the down swing your club head goes outside the target line (above the line looking from address), you've come over the top, a basic cause of slices and pulls. Golfers who come over the top fail to execute the proper sequence of moves. They start the forward swing with an upper-body lunge or throwing the arms (casting). Or they may throw the right shoulder out toward the target line, moving the club out and over the target line and causing the dreaded out-in swing path.

To rid your swing of over-the-top woes, you must create the proper backswing and then have the correct sequence to start the forward swing. You want a slight shift toward the target with your lower body to establish the left leg as the pivot point for the downswing. At the same time, the upper body, hands and arms should "just" uncoil and drop the club close to the body on the correct plane.

An on-plane swing is important because it gives you the best chance to hit the ball with the correct angle of approach and provides the best opportunity to square the clubface. Be sure to finish the swing completely. Don't stop. Basically you unscrew from the ground up, not from the shoulders down. If you start the down swing with your upper body or with the arms, you will have an out to in swing path and will rob yourself of most the power you developed when you coiled your body during the backswing. I've found the biggest cause of this "arm swing" is when golfers do not release their head during the downswing and keep their eyes locked on the tee instead of the ball.

Remember when you hit the ball, it is flying down the fairway. So why are you looking at the tee. Remember, literally keep your eye on the ball!

Please contact the golf shop to learn how to put this technique to work for your game today!