Consistent distance control in putting is a key to lower scores. Great tempo and rhythm give you a repeatable stroke. Gauging your backstroke length gives you a benchmark for putts of a given distance.
To quote Paul Runyan, “Putting is one of the shots in golf that must be methodized. You must not leave it up to the whims of the individual.”
Practice with purpose. Measure your backstroke length to achieve repeatable distance control.
Options
In the warmer weather, I prefer to practice on our course putting green.
Initially, I would use an alignment rod with markings on it to measure backstroke and forward stroke. I put tape on the rod about every other inch or so. It gets you in the ball park.
I still carry an alignment rod like this in my bag. Just for distance control practice. Without a ball.
The drill is swinging the club back and forth to specific points. It is a routine to simulate stroke length.
Follow this up with actual putts to verify how far the ball with roll with a specific stroke. You don’t really need to putt at a hole.
Measure the putts by walking them off. One step is about 3 feet in length. That varies by individual.
In the colder months, I use Blast Motion Golf to measure my backstroke.
Note: The image below indicates a pretty good putt for face angle, tempo, backstroke time and forward stroke time. An 8 inches backstroke gives me a 10 foot putt on an 11 stimp putting surface.
This putt was most likely short or just past the hole, A backstroke of 8 inches means the putt would go by 18 inches.
Measure during play
Do you have devices on the course with you? No.
So what do you have that you can use?
I struggled with this at the beginning. I was just kind of approximating the backstroke which is not a consistent way to do it.
This is what I settled on.
I play the ball off my left heel. I’m right handed. My point is that the ball position is same every time.
I know my normal stance is 9 inches or two putter lengths wide. So I can check my stance with my putter. It’s something I have with me on the course.
This method uses your stance to measure backstroke length.
It’s 4.5 inches long
What does that mean?
Get to know your backstroke distances in the off season.
In the image below the example is a ten foot putt.
On a Wellputt mat a 3 foot putt = a 4 inch backstroke, a 6 foot putt = a 5.5 inch backstroke and a 10 foot putt = an 8 inch backstroke.
Note the backstroke and forward stroke markings on the mat.
For a 10 foot putt, my backstroke is from the back of the ball to the inside of my right heel. It’s exactly two putter lengths. Pretty much inside my stance.
So the point is to find some way to measure. Nick Faldo used his thumb down the putter shaft.
In other words, 1 thumb back and 1 thumb through, then 2 thumbs back and 2 thumbs through, 3-3, and so forth.
I look at the ball when I putt and the putter head is secondary. It gets to be a feel for a given distance by repetition.
I practice 3, 6 and 10 foot putts all winter. It makes a big difference.
Here is the same example for my Wellputt mat, PuttOUT studio mirror and compact putting mirror. They have dots on them with the correct backstroke length various length putts. ( Example: 6 foot putt)
(Our story on the PuttOUT studio)
between the 3 devices
(Our story on the PuttOUT compact mirror)
Conclusion
Remember, I play the ball pretty much off my left heel. If you play the ball in the middle of your stance obviously measuring would be different.
Also, my back up putter has a different head weight which makes a real difference. It’s a heavier putter head.
The key is to find a way to measure your backstroke length for putts from 3 feet to 60 feet or more if appropriate.
Practice uphill and downhill.
You have to know exactly how far to take the putter back in order to make more putts.