Centeredness of contact is finding the sweet spot or impact location in golf. It applies to putting just like it does to full swing shots. Let’s take a look.
“Centeredness of contact” refers to where the ball comes in contact with the clubface.
You want to make contact at the center of the putter face and not off the toe, off the heel, low or high.
Just like full swing shots, you can tell when you miss the sweet spot.
The result is a push, pull and / or the putt rolls with less speed than you anticipated.
Why this means a lot to me
Over the last several years I’ve become confident when it comes to putting.
I worked pretty hard on mechanics over the winter months and recorded over 10,000 putts.
I still wasn’t making longer putts.
The last two summers, I’ve focused on speed.
Now, I’m making putts. Especially, inside 20 feet. I’ve been making much longer putts as well.
I’m able to start my ball on line and with the correct speed to make the putt or come darn close.
Practicing green reading, square face angle at impact and especially the speed of putts has been a game changer.
Why do I still miss?
Sometimes, I misread putts.
Other times, I do not make contact on the center of the putter.
My shortcoming is looking up early on occasion.
The result is leaving the putt short.
It’s much easier to return the putter to square and centered on the ball if you stay focused on the ball.
Look the ball at least until you make contact.
On longer putts, I look up after a bit to watch for the break in case the putt doesn’t go in.
On short putts, I wait for the sound of the ball going in.
You may want to read our article on “Quiet Eye.”
It’s more than hope
If you are thinking to yourself…”I hope I make this.”
Best wishes and…Good luck.
You really need to be thinking you are going to make putts.
I bought a new putter that is weighted to help on off center putts. Did it help. Yes.
However, the real solution in developing confidence is consistent “centeredness of contact.”
Rolling the ball from the middle of the putter face is the key to benchmarking speed and distance.
Notes
Using putting impact tape gives you a way to measure your sweet spot impact pattern and improve over time.
It will help you improve your distance control, improve your accuracy, improve your skill and shoot lower scores.
Here is a Putting Impact Tape review.