Putting triggers are a motion that that you use to start your putt. It’s an effort to stay relaxed and not be tight or mechanical over the ball.
If I stand over a putt for more than a couple seconds, I start over with my pre-shot routine. Clear my head and line up again.
Some say jazzing around with the putter just before you strike the putt can throw you putts offline
However. many all time great golfers used the forward press their entire career.
I prefer to get the putter moving.
Leaning on the putter nervously is not an option.
Types of triggers
Dave Stockton, Ben Crenshaw and Brad Faxon, just to name a few pros, used the forward press. I’ve heard Brad Faxon say that while some are worried about decreasing loft at address, he was only concerned where the putter face was at impact. Forward Press – Brad Faxon video
Steve Stricker – He starts with the heel of the putter up in the air slightly. Then tapped the green gently with the toe of the club and uses a slight forward press. It gets the putter up in the air a little and starts the momentum.
Rickie Fowler – Just before he pulls the trigger, Fowler lifts the putter head a fraction of an inch off the ground.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that golf is supposed to be fun. Each shot is just another golf shot. If you are standing over a putt becoming more tense by the second…start over.
I square my putter face behind the ball. Take a look at my aim point and draw a line back to the ball with my eyes. Tap the putter a couple times, forward press and let it go.
Note: It’s not a bad idea to use a putting mirror and a 50 mm (1.97 inch) putting gate to practice this if you are concerned about being square at impact.