Scottish pro Murdo McCorquodale joined the PGA Tour - the biggest golf tour in the world - in 1990, and now he dedicates his time to sharing his knowledge about the game in the Costa del Sol. He is based at the incredible facilities of La Cala Golf Academy in Mijas. Here, on the foothills of the mountains, he helps pros and players of all ages and levels work on their technique. In this post, we’re going to focus on the short game. Keep reading for McCorquodale’s tips on how to improve your putting.
What is putting in golf?
A putt is a specific type of golf stroke that is executed with a putter. The putt is the stroke that requires the highest degree of accuracy and precision on the course. It’s the final shot in the game, which aims to get the ball in the hole from the shortest distance possible. The shot often decides championships, meaning that improving your putting technique can make all the difference.
Putting tips in golf
Putting essentially involves letting the ball roll over the green. You never want to launch the ball into the air, as the probabilities of getting it into the hole this way are minuscule. Here are some putting tips based on Murdo McCorquodale’s advice (which serve to further reinforce the fact that the words golf, putter and technique always go hand in hand):
1. Align your stance and ball position
Although for longer shots, you want your feet to be further apart and some distance from the ball, this is not the case when it comes to putting. You’re going to want to align your stance and the position of the ball, placing it in-between (or slightly forwards) and parallel to your feet. Your distance from the ball is determined by the putter. In these La Cala Golf Academy (Mijas) videos, you can see Murdo McCorquodale talk in detail about ball position and alignment.
2. Use your putter to take a straight and consistent shot
Once you’re aligned with the ball, you’re already halfway there. Your main concert now is to hit the ball at the ‘sweet spot’. Your putt should be soft and light, and never forced. To make the shot consistent, make sure that the distance the putter moves backwards, before making impact, is equal to the distance the putter moves forward following impact.
3. Don’t lose sight of the ball from the vertical
It’s important not to lose sight of the ball from the vertical when putting. The most natural putt is a straight movement, using the putter like a pendulum and looking at the ball from above. Relaxation and self-control will determine the result, which is true for other types of shots too.
La Cala Golf in la Costa del Sol, a wonderful place to practise the game
As you can see, putting is pure technique. If you want to work more on or perfect your putting technique in golf, our recommendation would therefore be to head to the professionals.
Beyond its three courses (which are named after the continents: America, Asia and Europe), La Cala Golf in Mijas is home to a renowned golf academy where you can finetune your technique, whatever age you are. At the helm of the operation is Murdo McCorquodale, who offers private classes, group classes, summer golf camps and experience packages where you can learn while having a great time.
So now you know how and where to improve your putting in golf, why not think about the opportunity to sign up your kids to the Juniors Summer Camp 2022 at La Cala Golf Academy? Whether at the camp (which is running from the 4 to the 19 August) or by yourself, come to the Costa del Sol with all the family to enjoy the world-class services, work on your game and have a whole lot of fun. Discover one of the best golfing destinations in Europe.
