Golf Tips » September 2002: Check Your Shoulders to Ensure Good Putting

One of the most important aspects of putting the ball consistently on line is making sure the shoulders are 

1. Lined up square to your target, and 
2. that the shoulders stay square throughout the putting stroke.

Here is a great drill to check your shoulders and to ensure that they work correctly while your are putting.

First, take two elastic bands and put one on each arm around the bicep area.

Secondly take a dowel stick approximately 40" long and slide it through the two elastic bands as shown in picture #1:

Now stand in a doorway with the dowel stick touching both sides of the door frame.

Practice your putting stroke and see if the stick stays on the door frame or moves off from side to side as you putt. You do not need a ball for this drill, just swing your putter back and through with a pendulum motion until you can keep the stick flush with the door frame at all times!

Continue to practice this drill until you can consistently create a putting stroke that moves the shoulders perfectly up and down instead of side to side. I can assure you, you will start the ball on line more often and consequently hole more putts.