17 for ’17, Cont.

Elena King

String Training

To become a great short putter, you need to commit to your intended line, aim the ball on your intended line and start the ball on your intended line. And what better way to see that line than with a taut piece of string?

To execute this drill, tie two knitting needles to opposite ends of 10- to 12-foot elastic string or cord.

For straight putts: Set one knitting needle into the green anywhere between six and eight feet from the hole, put the second knitting a couple of inches directly behind the hole.

For right-to-left breaking putts: Place one knitting needle anywhere between six and eight feet from the hole and the second needle to the right of the hole, the amount you decide it will break from right to left. It’s just the opposite for a left-to-right sloping putt. This is a great way to determine and practice slope and speed.

Set the ball directly underneath the string, inside the two knitting needles at your desired distance.

Aim the putter directly along the string.

Check that your eyes are over the ball. Look at the hole, train yourself to see the line.

Start the ball on the intended line (this will give you great feedback of how square the face is at impact).

—Elena King, LPGA Professional, ExperienceGolf, CommonGround Golf Course, Aurora