Putting down a tier video

Golf Monthly Top 25 coach Neil Plimmer has some tips on putting down a tier to help you eliminate those three putts and cut your handicap.

Try these tips for putting down a tier if your long-range putting distance control is poor and you regularly three-putt.

Putting up or down tiers in greens is a regular problem we all face. The issue is that with a step in the green, your usual distance perceptions are thrown out.

This means that you need to do some extra planning. Firstly, take the time to walk the length of the putt, I’ve measured this one at 60ft. Have a look back to your ball from the level of the hole.

By simply walking the length of the putt and looking back from the hole you’ll have a much better natural sense for both the pace and the various breaks on the green.

In this instance I have 60ft with a 4ft drop in height to the hole. That means I’ll need a stroke to send the ball 56ft.

As you run through your pre-shot process, make sure that your practice swing is meaningful. Try to feel the correct length within the swing.

Finally, every putt is a journey, the destination for which is ultimately the hole. So don’t try to get your ball within an imaginary dustbin lid around the hole. You should be aiming to knock it in!

Top tips

• Take the time to walk the length of the putt.
• Have a look back to your ball from the level of the hole.
• This will enable you to get a much better natural sense for both the speed of the putt and the various breaks on the green.
• As you run through your pre-shot process, make sure that every practice swing you make is purposeful and meaningful.
• Try to feel the correct length and temp within the swing.
• Aim to make every putt rather than just trying to lag it up close.
• That should narrow your focus and help you get the ball to finish closer to the hole for an easy 2 putt.