Set-Up with GASS
“Fill Er Up” with GASS
Grip Aim Stance Swing
GRIP
The most important step towards making your putt is grip pressure.
A soft grip pressure when holding a putter in golf is important because it helps promote a smooth and consistent stroke. Here’s why:
Reduces Tension – A tight grip can create tension in your hands, wrists, and arms, leading to a jerky or inconsistent stroke. A softer grip keeps your muscles relaxed for better control.
Enhances Feel – Putting is all about touch and feel. A lighter grip allows you to sense the weight of the putter head, helping with distance and accuracy.
Promotes a Smooth Stroke – A soft grip encourages a natural, pendulum-like motion, preventing unnecessary wrist movement or "yips" that can throw off your putt.
Improves Consistency – When you grip too tightly, your stroke can become inconsistent due to excessive hand and arm involvement. A relaxed grip leads to more repeatable, solid putts.
The key is to hold the putter just firm enough to maintain control, but soft enough to keep your hands relaxed and your stroke fluid.
AIM
Aiming the clubface at an imaginary apple is a clever way to let Sir Isaac Newton take the wheel.
When putting on a sloped green, the Aiming Point and the actual Path of Putt are different due to the break of the putt caused by gravity. Here’s the difference:
Aiming Point – This is where you intend to aim your putter face at the start of the putt. On a breaking putt, you don’t aim directly at the hole; instead, you pick a spot (often an imaginary point) where you expect the ball to start before the slope takes over.
Actual Target Line – This is the curved path the ball will travel after you strike it. The ball won’t go in a straight line to the hole; instead, it will break (curve) due to the slope.
STANCE
Start with both feet together
Now take a Little Step Front Foot
And a bigger Step Back Foot
Having the correct stance, ball position, and body alignment in putting is crucial for consistency, accuracy, and distance control. Here’s why each element matters:
1. Stance – Provides Stability and Balance
A proper stance gives you a solid foundation for a smooth, controlled stroke.
Feet should be about shoulder-width apart for stability.
A balanced stance prevents unnecessary movement that could affect the stroke.
2. Ball Position – Ensures a Pure Roll
The ball should be positioned slightly forward in your stance (just ahead of center).
This promotes clean contact with the putter face, helping the ball roll smoothly instead of bouncing or skidding.
Placing the ball too far back can cause the putter to strike down on it, affecting roll quality.
3. Body Alignment – Improves Accuracy
Your feet, hips, and shoulders should be parallel to the target line to ensure a straight stroke.
If you're misaligned (e.g., shoulders open or closed), your stroke may push or pull putts off target.
Keeping your eyes directly over or slightly inside the ball helps with proper aim and alignment.
By getting these fundamentals right, you create a repeatable, controlled putting stroke that improves accuracy and distance control on the greens.
SWING
Invite visions or thoughts that inspire makes, not misses.
Jack Nicklaus
Taking a practice stroke on the putting green is important for several reasons:
Develops Muscle Memory: Practice strokes help build muscle memory, allowing your body to remember the correct motion for a consistent stroke. This repetition can lead to improved performance when it’s time to putt for real.
Enhances Feel: A practice stroke helps you get a feel for the distance and speed of the greens. You can gauge how the ball rolls and adjust your stroke accordingly, which is especially important on varying surfaces.
Improves Focus: Taking a practice stroke allows you to mentally prepare and focus on the putt. It gives you a moment to visualize the line and the speed needed, which can reduce anxiety and enhance concentration.
Checks Alignment and Setup: A practice stroke lets you assess your stance, grip, and alignment before making the actual putt. This can help you identify any adjustments needed to ensure you’re properly aligned with your target.
Boosts Confidence: Executing a successful practice stroke can boost your confidence, helping you feel more comfortable and committed when you step up to make the actual putt.
The FUNdamentals
Train + Practice + Play
makes the bogies go away.
Train: CONTACT Coach John for your first lesson and let the FUN begin.
Practice: Make it FUN to practice! Check out Coach John’s super fun PRACTICE DRILLS
Play: Bring your skills to the links with confidence and enjoy your spectacular game!
May the force be with you!
Coach John
