Ernie Els Teaches Proper Posture in Putting

This week, we’re bringing back a tip by Ernie Els about the importance of posture in putting. 

“How you stand to the ball on the greens is just as important as how you stand to the ball on the tee. You have to be comfortable – that’s the first thing. You’ll never be a good putter if you don’t feel right over the ball. So, relax – it can’t do you any harm.

Other than that, the most important factor to keep in mind is that you have to bend from the waist in such a way that your hands an arms are free to hang down in a relaxed, comfortable fashion. This promotes a free-swinging putting stroke. And believe me, freedom of movement is essential with putting just as it is in the full swing.

Perform this quick set-up drill to check your posture (see main image). Stand upright, then bend from the waist and ‘sit’ a little, flexing your knees just a touch. Now let your arms hang and rest your hands very softly on your thighs. Then simply move them away from your thighs, grip the putter exactly at the point where your hands hang to. And relax. 

Now you’re in good shape. If your arms are all hunched up and cramped too close to your body, you can’t possibly make a good stroke. I know the great Jack Nicklaus has a hunched, some might even say uncomfortable, looking posture over putts, but he’s not your average golfer. The fact that he can make it devastatingly effective is no reason to believe that you can do the same also.

A Note on Club Length

Golfers often make a lot of fuss over choosing the right style of putter, but I think you need to be just as careful about the actual length of putter. The shaft must be short enough so that when you place your hands on the grip, your forearms are comfortably extended. This encourages a one-piece, pendulum putting action.”

Speaking of club length, have you checked out the new Bloodline Vale 38-Special counter-balanced putter? The “.38” model includes a 38.5” specialty steel putter shaft and a 17” Superstroke grip. Together these two overlength components add counterbalancing stability to your stroke in a way that you’ve likely never experienced.

Click here for more information about the 38-Special.