Putting · Putter · Overhead

Start line is the first skill. The face is 2.1° open at impact, path is a mild in-to-out, and the stroke decelerates. That's a putt that starts right and comes up short. Square the face with a quieter trail hand, and get the through-stroke to one count against two on the way back.

The miss

• Face open at impact

  major

  Face is 2.1° open. On a 12-footer that's a miss outside the hole even with perfect speed.

  Fix. Set the face square to the start line, not the hole. Quiet the trail hand so it does not fan the toe open.

  Feel: Back of the lead hand stays looking at the start line through impact.

• Start line right

  major

  Ball starts 2° right of the intended line. Break never gets a chance.

  Fix. Gate 11 inches in front of the ball. If you clip the right tee, the face was open.

  Feel: Start it on the line. Speed is a different skill.

• Tempo 2.7:1 — through-stroke stalls

  moderate

  Backswing is long and slow, through-stroke is a hit-and-stop. Ball dies short.

  Fix. Two counts back, one through. The putter should be fastest just after the ball.

  Feel: Tick-tick… tock.

• Speed dies — leaving it short

  moderate

  Skid is long, roll quality is 6/10, and the ball would finish 18 inches short on a 12-footer.

  Fix. Match backswing length to the putt. Never leave a makeable putt short of the hole.

  Feel: Die it in from the high side, but get it to the hole.