Johnny Miller shares his secrets and techniques for making extra putts

Golf instruction is ever-evolving, however the perfect recommendation stands the take a look at of time. In GOLF.com’s new sequence, Timeless Ideas, we’re highlighting a few of the biggest recommendation lecturers and gamers have disbursed within the pages of GOLF Journal. Immediately, Johnny Miller shares a intelligent placing tip from our September 1975 situation. For limitless entry to the total GOLF Journal digital archive, be a part of InsideGOLF as we speak; you’ll take pleasure in $140 of worth for less than $39.99/yr.

Johnny Miller is greatest recognized for 3 issues: being an elite ball striker, that Oakmont 63 and for his legendary broadcasting profession. Ball hanging may’ve been Miller’s calling card throughout his taking part in profession, however he made his justifiable share of putts, too. You don’t win a number of main championships with out some wonderful placing days.

We’ve lined Miller’s ball-striking keys in Timeless Ideas earlier than, so as we speak we’re diving into the archives to look again at his placing suggestions. Again in 1975, Miller shared a few of his secrets and techniques on the greens with GOLF Journal, and you may learn all about them under.

Johnny Miller’s placing keys

Every part I do in my placing technique is for one goal: To supply strong contact between the ball and the putter face. Anytime you hit the ball solidly, you may depend on it staying on line. Putts hit on the heel or the toe are those that miss. To develop a strong strike, you should first develop a strong stroke.

If you happen to had a straight-in, four-foot putt, would you attempt to push the putter head down a line to the opening or would you lead your arms by to the opening? If you happen to answered, the putter head, you’re possible an erratic putter since you use an excessive amount of wrist. Anytime you push the putter head down the road, the suitable hand is taking part in a dominant function. Whenever you lead each arms by to the opening, each arms are taking part in an equal function. Let’s speak first concerning the arms, which I feel are the important thing to consistency.

Only a few golfers lead their arms by to the opening. They grow to be obsessive about the blade of the putter. They focus on pushing the putter head alongside a line, shutting it, opening it or maintaining it sq.; the putter head turns into the point of interest of most gamers’ consideration. Sadly that spotlight is wasted, for if there may be any fault, will probably be on the different finish of the putter, within the arms. The putter, being an extension of your arms can solely do what your arms permit it to do.

As soon as I’ve lined the putter blade up, I neglect all about it. My arms, just like the putter face, are set lifeless sq. to the opening by way of what I name the palm-to-palm grip. So that you perceive totally, place your arms on both facet of the grip, palms going through, and ensure the putter is sq. to your supposed line. Now place your arms on the grip in order that your thumbs run straight down the center. This instantly units each your palms lifeless “sq.” to the putter face.

As to the precise grip, I like to recommend a reverse overlapping. In my case, I overlap my left index finger down the primary three fingers of my proper hand. The one purpose it’s not all 4 fingers is as a result of I’ve a slight separation between my index finger and the following on my proper hand. I’ve discovered this grip to be probably the most profitable as a result of it locations all fingers of my proper hand on the membership. And many of the sensitivity is in the suitable hand.

A lot of the grip stress ought to be utilized within the left hand, and the suitable hand merely rests on the membership. You particularly ought to really feel the again three fingers of your left hand gripping firmly. This may create an excellent stability between the 2 arms and stop the left hand from breaking down or getting wristy. Beware, nevertheless, of gripping too onerous with each arms, a quite common fault, as this restricts the over-all stroke.

The placing stance you assume ought to be as pure as attainable. Anytime you place your elbows away out of your physique, like a hen’s wings, you’re inhibiting the motion of your arms and shoulders; the stroke can’t be fluid. I advocate having the elbows a cushty distance from the physique the place they will work freely.

Let’s now have a look at another essential fundamentals that result in strong hanging. Then we’ll speak just a little bit concerning the stroke.

If you happen to research Jack Nicklaus when he putts, you’ll discover that: 1. He stands barely open. 2. He performs the ball off his left heel. 3. His eyes are over the ball. These components, I feel, account for Jack’s constant placing stroke.

I additionally advocate standing barely open. It offers you a greater ball-to-hole perspective; you may gauge distance higher. With the ball ahead you may retain a clearer image of the road alongside which you need the ball to journey. And eventually, positioning your eyes over the ball permits you to sight immediately down the supposed line of putt.

I personally don’t imagine that both hand performs a dominant function within the stroke. Each play an equal half. Because of the one-piece stroke, the shoulders will rotate barely, however not consciously. As I mentioned earlier within the article, the much less motion within the wrists the higher. Within the followthrough you wish to develop a optimistic feeling of main your arms by to the opening. Bear in mind: In case your arms undergo to the opening, the putter head will too.

General, attempt to hold your stroke as clean as attainable. As an support, I like to recommend to you a psychological tempo gimmick I’ve discovered very helpful. It is a easy One-Two depend that retains my thoughts on the stroke and off the disruptive ideas that may creep in and destroy my probabilities of making the putt. The entire backswing is the depend of One, and the stroke and follow-through is Two. The depend relies on the velocity of the stroke as I see it in my thoughts. First decide your pure tempo, apply the depend to it, and observe that rhythm in the course of the stroke. This will provide you with a pleasant flowing motion and never a jerky, hesitant stroke. When underneath stress my caddie, Andy Martinez, is at all times reminding me of the depend.

I’ve by no means been a lot of a spot putter. In different phrases, I don’t decide a spot between the ball and the opening to line as much as. Spot placing can drain focus, as a result of it’s important to hold checking to ensure you’re lined up with the suitable spot. And in the event you lose the spot, you may waste numerous psychological effort making an attempt to relocate it. As a substitute, I visualize the road from the ball to the opening, set my blade the approximate diploma left or proper of the opening, then simply lead my arms down the road. This technique is a lot less complicated and retains your thoughts free to focus on distance.

Whereas we’re with reference to visualization; you should see the profitable final result of any putt you stand over, in your personal thoughts, no matter how lengthy the putt could also be. If you happen to program a optimistic thought, you’ll get a optimistic end result. Really “see” the ball falling proper into the opening!

If you happen to watch any prime skilled, you’ ll discover that he has a sure sample of addressing the ball. The sample is machine-like. I, too, have my very own sample. First I have a look at the putt from behind and do all my visualization. Then I step as much as the ball. Initially I place my ft collectively, then I unfold the suitable foot out, so my stance is about shoulder width. I take one have a look at the opening, then look again on the putter to verify my alignment. (Andy Martinez additionally kneels immediately behind me and tells me once I’ve acquired it on line.) Then a second have a look at the cup, to get a sense of the gap, and the second I look again on the ball I draw the putter again. Two seems to be — that’s probably the most I ever take.

What goal does the system serve? Anytime you’re systematic you’re being optimistic; your thoughts is on making the putt and never on different issues. Program optimistic motion into your thoughts and, once more, the outcomes shall be optimistic.

Paul Runyan, one of many biggest putters ever, used to spend a number of hours a day on the placing inexperienced listening to the sound the ball made coming off the putter head. He used to program his thoughts to soak up the sensation of strong contact — in order that it grew to become a behavior. When making use of the ideas I’ve outlined to your personal stroke, I counsel you additionally attempt to hit the ball strong each time. In doing so, although, be certain that your consideration is in your arms and never the putter head.