Watching Your Ball Roll Past The Hole

Whether you are chipping or putting the ball, it is important to watch your ball come to a complete rest. I have witnessed players look away in disgust when they know they have missed a chip or putt while their ball scoots past the hole. Instead of watching how their ball reacts to the undulations of the green, they through a little tantrum and lose out on the valuable information offered by the green as their ball misses the hole. This frustrating habit does cost stroke and is easily avoided.

Every golfer has found themselves in a situation where they have hit the ball too hard when chipping or putting. Most times, their ball will skate to a knee knocking distance of 4 to 6 feet. This distance is such that the slope of the green can have a tremendous effect on how the ball rolls to the hole. Knowing this, I often wonder why a person would not watch their ball come to a complete stop. The information gleaned from performing this simple task will up the chances of making the comeback putt greatly.

We gain wisdom and experience by watching the ball come to a complete stop during all chips and putts.

It sounds so simple….right? As a golfer, I watch what my opponent’s ball does around the hole, so why would I not watch mine? I would suggest that more information is gained from our own shot because we know how hard we hit the putt, what the real line to the hole was, and are already in position to see our ball roll out. It is a simple thing, yet players hang their head in disgust or look away out of frustration. Unknowingly, not watching their ball come to a finish after it passes the hole adds strokes to their game and increases the anxiety and frustration of missed shots.

Therefore, I highly recommend that every golfer watch their ball come to a complete stop after it passes the hole. This simple tip saves strokes and just makes sense.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!