Players with poor speed control when putting should do which of the following?

Players with poor speed control when putting should do which of the following?

• A. Shorten backswing on longer putts and lengthen backswing on shorter putts
• B. Shorten backswing on longer putts
• C. Shorten backswing on shorter putts and lengthen backswing on longer putts
• D. Keep backswing the same

Answer: (C)

Speed control on the greens comes from adjusting the backswing to the distance of the putt. Short putts require less pace, so the backswing is shortened; longer putts require more pace, so the backswing is lengthened. Keeping the backswing the same doesn’t accommodate different distances and leads to inconsistent speed. Therefore, shortening for short putts and lengthening for long putts produces the most reliable speed control. For example, a close two- to three-foot putt benefits from a brief stroke, while a longer twenty-foot putt needs a longer, controlled backswing.

Speed control on the greens comes from adjusting the backswing to the distance of the putt. Short putts require less pace, so the backswing is shortened; longer putts require more pace, so the backswing is lengthened. Keeping the backswing the same doesn’t accommodate different distances and leads to inconsistent speed. Therefore, shortening for short putts and lengthening for long putts produces the most reliable speed control. For example, a close two- to three-foot putt benefits from a brief stroke, while a longer twenty-foot putt needs a longer, controlled backswing.