Align to the apex, not the hole, to make more putts

Align to the apex, not the hole, to make more putts

By Todd Sones, GOLF Magazine Top 100

This story is for you if...
1. You always read your putts from behind the ball...
2. ...even on severely sloping greens

The Fault
You're missing badly on breaking putts, which leads to fewer birdies and pars and more bogeys. The simple reason for your struggle is poor green-reading technique and alignment.
The Fix

If you want to get a proper read, you need to look at the putt from behind the line you plan to start the ball on, rather than the one that runs directly from the ball to the hole. To do so, pick a spot where you think the apex of the putt (maximum break) will be and examine the putt by looking from behind your ball to that spot. Set the putterhead square to the chosen target line and then walk into your setup, always keeping in mind that your actual target is the apex of the break, not the hole. Stroke the putt to this spot without being distracted by the actual hole. Use this technique consistently, and your green-reading — as well as your results on breaking putts — will improve dramatically.

Align Design Finding your ball-to-apex line is only half the battle — you must also be able to align your putterface square to it. Any good putter will feature effective aiming lines. If yours doesn't, consider purchasing a new model. I designed a line of Coutour putters with a large arrow on the back end to help you point your putter easily and consistently

Jurong Country Club - A Golfer's Paradise

Jurong Country Club - A Golfer's Paradise

The Jurong Country Club heralds a new era of golfing excellence and welcomes the golfer with new and improved facilities.

Besides housing a majestic two-storey clubhouse of regal comfort, it also has one of Asia’s best 18-hole floodlit golf courses.

The Jurong course, redesigned in 1992, measures 6,219 metres and plays to a par 72.

With a top class layout, the golf course is a favourite of many golfers who have had the privilege of playing on it. Despite the heavy usage, the course has been constantly manicured to a good playable condition. The zoysia grass on the fairways provides an excellent playing surface to the delight of even the most exacting golfers both professional and amateur.

An excellent auto irrigation system ensures that the turf is maintained to excellent playing conditions even during the hot and dry months of the year. A good drainage system also helps to drain off excess water from heavy showers very quickly thus enabling golfers to continue with their enjoyment of the game without further delay.

The course is divided into two very distinct halves, each on opposing sides of the capacious modern clubhouse. The front nine is laid out over hilly, heavily wooded terrain with one major water hazard. The back nine, by contrast, is virtually level with wide open fairways, running out into the Jurong Lake with water affecting play on most holes.

You Are What You Eat, So Eat Healthily!

You Are What You Eat, So Eat Healthily!

Do hunger pangs hit you midway through your golf game very often? Does thinking about that sumptuous meal back at the clubhouse and that ice cold glass of beer make you lose focus on your putt for the 17th hole? Maybe it's not just cravings. It could very well be that you need help with eating right!

Diet plays an important role in fuelling your body while you are exercising. Regardless of whether you are recreational golfers who enjoy a social round of nine to eighteen holes on weekends or competitive golfers who can spend up to eight hours a day on the golf course, meeting the demand for fuel and fluid - essentially those of a healthy eating plan – must be your highest priority.

Thankfully for you, we have experts such as Png Wei Leen, Head of Sports Nutrition at the Singapore Sports Council, to provide you with some insightful tips on having a healthy diet.
Golfers of all levels require a diet, which provides a wide variety of foods. The diet should focus on carbohydrate and be balanced with moderate amounts of protein and a little fat from all food groups:

Rice & alternatives
Meat & alternatives, including dairy foods
Fruits
Vegetables

Tips For A Healthy Diet
Enjoy a variety of foods each day - Priority should be given to nutrient-rich foods.
Focus on nutrient-rich, high carbohydrate foods - Bread, cereal-based foods (rice, pasta, breakfast cereal), fruit, vegetables and sweetened low fat dairy products such as yoghurt and flavoured milk.


Consume small quantities of high fat foods - Butter, margarine, oil, cream, cakes, biscuits, pastries, fried foods and many takeaway and processed foods.

Consume moderate amounts of protein (where possible choose low fat protein sources) – Lean meat, skin-free chicken, fish, eggs, low fat dairy products, breads, cereals, legumes and tofu.

Look after fluid needs - The body needs to be hydrated to perform optimally. (This especially is required for the long hours of time spent on the golf course and in particular, highly important in Asia’s tropical climate!)

Consume alcohol sensibly – That's right, control those mid-game / post-game beer guzzling with your mates!

Here is an example of a dietary plan that one could follow:
Breakfast
- 2 slices toast with thin spread fruit jam- A cup of hot Milo/ coffee/ tea/ juices
Lunch
- A bowl chicken noodle soup with generous serve of vegetables- 1 medium banana
Snack
- 3 pieces plain biscuits- A cup tea with milk
Dinner
- 1 plate rice- 1 serve steamed fish- 1 serve stir-fry vegetables- 1 serve steamed tofu with minced meat- 1 wedge water melon

* Make sure you consume adequate fluid (at least 8 cups) throughout the day.
Whether you're a professional golfer or a recreational Sunday golfer, the commonly heard maxim of "Your Health is Your Wealth" applies. Gain greater stamina on the golf course for improved scores, be free of the unwanted paunch and ultimately live longer! Start fuelling up the healthy way today!

Taken from Golfgreedy.com

Author Png Weileen is the Head of Nutrition (Sports) at the Singapore Sports Council. She is an expert in her field and regularly contributes to sporting magazines and the Straits Times. She can be contacted at The Singapore Sports Council, 230 Stadium Boulevard, Singapore 397799. (More information from website: www.ssc.gov.sg)