| Putting Tempo is the total time your putting | | | | It has a large and small dimple on its flat base for |
| stroke takes from start to finish. | | | | resting a golf ball. Designed with the two levels of |
| Different golfers have different tempos, but the | | | | difficulty, it helps you to master a jerk-free |
| tempo of most golfers is generally too quick. This | | | | putting stroke. Any unevenness in your action will |
| is because they interfere with the natural | | | | dislodge the golf ball. |
| acceleration of gravity by rushing their | | | | Harold Swash's Rhythmiser and TempoMaster's |
| downstroke and jabbing at their putts. | | | | Whippy putter |
| Pendulum Test | | | | These are putters with a super-flexible shaft. The |
| - Suspend a weight from a crossbeam with a | | | | objective is to keep the shaft as straight as |
| length of string. | | | | possible, only allowing the slightest bend in the |
| - Pull the weight back a few feet and then let it | | | | shaft on the change of direction between the |
| go. | | | | backswing and forward swing. |
| - Observe how the weight swings back and forth | | | | A smooth stroke back and forth will provide a |
| with an even tempo. | | | | straight shaft and a well-struck putt, while a poor |
| - Note how, irrespective of the length of the | | | | stroke will provide a visibly snagged shaft and a |
| backswing, the total time from top of the | | | | wayward putt. |
| backswing to the top of the forward swing never | | | | Self-Help Drill - Coin on Putter Head |
| changes. | | | | To putt consistently you need to have an even |
| Lesson | | | | tempo. The drill is to place a small coin on your |
| You should swing your putter back and forth with | | | | putter head and swing your putter back and |
| the same timing for all putts based on your | | | | down into impact without the coin moving or |
| personal tempo. | | | | falling off. |
| Irrespective of the length of your backstroke, the | | | | You can only do this if you have a smooth |
| total time of your putting stroke should remain | | | | transition from backstroke to forward stroke and |
| the same. | | | | a constant rate of acceleration. |
| Objective | | | | Each putting aid has the same objective. To help |
| To learn how to execute a pendulum putting | | | | you feel and execute a smooth putting stroke |
| stroke that is smooth and rhythmic where ideally | | | | without a jerky and violent transition of direction |
| the backstroke length is equal to the | | | | on the downswing. With each putting aid you will |
| follow-through length. | | | | get constructive feedback on how well you are |
| Putting Aids | | | | achieving your objective. |
| There are a number of putting aids that will help | | | | Outcome |
| you to achieve a smooth and rhythmic putting | | | | Without a smooth rhythmic stroke with an even |
| stroke. | | | | putting tempo, your golf ball will fall off the |
| Ernie Els' Stimpdimple | | | | Stimpdimple, the flexible putter will snag, and the |
| A simple device that clamps to your putter shaft. | | | | coin will move or fall off your putter head. |