How to Save Pars Through Putting

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans finished, however, it provided great golf, great drama and a great finish as expected, the tournament went to a playoff and golf fans enjoyed some extra holes to determine a champion. And we also can learn a lesson from the Zurich Classic--how to save pars through putting.

Jason Dufner has become very hot after his winning. And we also can get a better understanding about how to save pars through putting from his experience in this game. He has earned a legion of fans through his low-key demeanor in the Zurich Classic, his trademark waggle, his perseverance through some tough losses and of course, some incredible golf skills. This was a first PGA Tour win for Dufner, but I doubt it will be his last.

In the game, Dufner and Ernie Els battle down the stretch, how both players were able to make mistakes and then save themselves by draining some critical putts has really drawn the attention of us. This struck us as a great lesson for amateur golfers everywhere. Of course, all golfers are going to hit some poor shots, and 99.9% of amateur players won't have the skills or strength to make certain recovery shots like the best Tour players, but all golfers can work on saving strokes on the green. In the game, the both players made their share of birdies, whether tap-in types or long bombs. But really shows fortitude was their ability to hit putts that saved par, and kept them in contention. Ernie Els made a ten-footer on the 12th and the 14th, both par savers, while Dufner made an 8-footer on the 14th and then a ridiculous 45 footer on the 16th. In fact, both Els and Dufner played the last seven holes making only pars. If you can find ways to develop a more consistent and confident putting stroke, you will save yourself from a wide array of less-than-great shots that all golfers are going to hit some more than others.

One drill that happens to be one of our favorites is the Circle Putting Drill. The concept is easy, the practice is simple, and the benefits are huge. However, I would like to recommend some variations of the drill.

First, you need to find a hole on the practice green and drop five or six balls about 3 feet away from the hole, and then make smooth strokes as you move around the circle, hopefully making each putt. However, you can start over until you make them all if you miss. Next, you need to move the balls out another couple of feet after you've make them all. At last, move out to about 8 feet. You don't have to make them all, but make enough to know you will feel comfortable and confident anytime you have a putt of this length. You can improve your putting fundamentals from the benefits of this drill, and you also will develop the confidence and be more used to putting under pressure.

When faced with a par saving putt of 6-10 feet and we all have quite a few of these , you should hope to make all of these, but do not get frustrated if you miss. You have the ability to make them, but even the best players miss these putts as often as they make them. Putting is also a frame of mind, you have to accept that you won't make them all. But that doesn't mean you can't make every one of them.