Putting through shadows video

Golf Monthly Top 25 coach Paul Foston has some tips on putting through shadows and how to pick the correct line when the sun is low in the sky.

Try these simple tips if you struggle when putting through shadows and low sun makes it difficult to pick the correct line.

When you’re playing early in the morning or in the evening, long shadows can be an irritating distraction, particularly when putting.

When your own shadow runs through your line, the light and shade can make it extremely difficult to line a putt up and then commit to that line.

One of the most effective ways to select a line is to survey the putt from a variety of different angles, but particularly from behind the hole.

This will take the shadow out of play and make it far easier to see the break. The difficulty comes, though, when you return to the ball and need to commit to the line you’ve picked.

Once you’re confident that you’ve found the line, ensure you stay committed to it, even if you’re tempted to change your mind over the ball.

The shadows can easily play tricks on your eyes when over the ball, but try to ignore these thoughts, trust the line you picked when you had a clear view and make a committed, solid stroke.

What can be difficult is if the shadows on the green are caused by a fixed object such as surrounding trees.

Top tips

• Assess the putt from a variety of different angles, in particular from behind the hole.
• This will eliminate the effect of the shadow that your body was causing, and allow you to make an uninhibited read.
• This should make it easier to see what break there is, and hopefully help you commit to a line more easily.
• Once you've picked a line you're happy with, stay committed to it even if you're tempted to change your mind over the ball.