Best Way to Practice Putting from off the Green in Golf

From time to time, you will find that even though your ball is not on the green it is better to putt the ball than risk a bad chip. If the grass between the ball and the green is not too long, the putter can be your best bet. Everything about the stroke is exactly the same as when on the green, with the following adjustments.

To avoid catching the longer grass between the club and the ball, put your weight more on the left foot, lean to the left, and have your hands well in front of the ball. This will create a downward strike that provides clean contact with the ball, sending it further than you would imagine, considering the longer grass between the ball and the green.

Don’t be afraid of selecting the putter, even if the ball is lying badly – remember that a badly struck putt will cause less damage to your score than a bad chip.

Putting from off the green:

• The ball is on the foregreen, about 3 ft (1 m) from the edge of the green, with a further 25 ft (8m) to the hole, which lies slightly downhill: a typical situation in which you should choose the putter, because with a lofted club you risk sending the ball too far.

• Follow your usual putting routine, with those all-important practice swings to give you the right feeling for the swing required,
• When addressing the ball, lean to the left, with the weight on your left foot and the hands well in front of the ball. Play the shot normally.
• A satisfactory result: the ball finishes just past the hole, leaving an easy uphill putt. A shot has been saved, using common sense, imagination and your putter.