Putting stroke: the pendulum

Setup

1. Pick a fairly straight putt to a hole. Push in tees at about 1 m, 2 m and 3 m from the hole, in a line.
2. At the 1 m tee, push two more tees in just outside the heel and toe of the putter head: a gate for the putter to swing through.
3. Pairs: P putts, T1 stands opposite the putter, off the line of the putt, and watches the stroke. Other pairs use other holes.

How it runs

1. No ball first: P sets the putter in the gate and rocks the shoulders back and through ten times. T1 says 'tick' at the end of the backstroke and 'tock' at the end of the through-stroke.
2. Then two balls from the 1 m tee, with T1 still calling the rhythm.
3. Hole both and move back to the next tee; miss one and putt both again from the same tee.
4. After every putt T1 says one thing: same length back and through, or not?
5. Swap roles after reaching 3 m or after five minutes.

Coaching points

• Arms and shoulders form a triangle that rocks as one; the wrists stay quiet.
• Eyes over the ball or just inside it.
• The through-stroke is at least as long as the backstroke. A longer putt needs a longer stroke, not a harder hit.
• Hold the finish until the ball stops rolling.

Common mistakes

• A short backstroke followed by a jab.
• Flicking the putter with the wrists.
• Head and eyes chasing the ball before it's struck.
• Gripping the putter tightly.