Knowing how far back to take the putter or your backstroke length is critical for distance control. For years, I pretty much approximated my backstroke. I’ve found an easy way to measure it now and it works great.
I’ve had tape on an alignment rod to practice backstroke length for years.
Now, I feel like that was jus time spent hitting putts… here is why.
I never really wrote the results down. It was never ingrained in my mind.
Winter practice
I recently purchased the EXPUTT RG putting simulator. It gives my the opportunity to spend the winter practicing short or long putts.
I started by laying my trusty alignment rod with electrical tape down next to the EXPUTT mat.
Since they I’ve figured out that 2.5 inches equals 5 feet with my putter and stroke.
Ways to measure
As I said above, I use the EXPUTT RG for winter practice. It allows me to set up for putts in 5 foot increments.
Then its a matter of using a device and ultimately your feet to measure backstroke length.
Here are couple examples.
The image below shows my alignment rod and a 36 inch metal ruler. I’m taking putts from 5 feet to 50 feet and writing down the correct backstroke length.
Note: These are all flat putts.
Taking it to the course
So, I took that to the course practice green today. It works great.
It works because I’ve practice 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 foot putts all winter inside on the simulator.
Today, I was right in there with almost all my putts. The conditions are a little different on a real putting green with slant and slope.
I’ve found that I know how far back to take the putter from practice. Then, I just take a practice stroke and stop at my 30 foot mark (for example) to picture things.
I put the putter back behind the ball.
Then, take one last look at the hole and make the putt.
It helps that I can use my feet for reference. The distance to the middle of my stance is a 5 footer. Add 2.5 inches an it’s 10 footer. I know outside my right foot is a 20 footer. So, 40 feet would be double that, etc.
The exceptions are downhill and uphill putts. Backstroke length needs to be shortened or lengthened.
I’ve found today that adding 5 feet to an uphill 40 footer got me in the ballpark. It’s was similar for a downhill 40 footer. I take off about 5 feet.
I was ending up with putts under 3 feet for a second putt and I made a couple long ones.
Common Mistake
This is just a cautionary note. Do not take the putter back to your 30 foot backstroke length and just hit the putt harder to send it 50 feet.
Most people are pretty comfortable with a smooth backstroke until they have to go past 30 feet.
Learn to take a smooth backstroke for all length putts. Roll the ball.
Don’t be caught wondering how long of a backstroke to make…Practice helps a lot.
Conclusion
Figuring out a way to measure backstroke length will be different for everyone.
I have a certain type of putter and play my putts off my forward toe.
Obviously, if you ball position is in the middle of your stance finding that backstroke measurement would be different.
The key to consistent ball control is finding and measuring YOUR correct backstroke length for each putt.