| Golfers use their putter more than any other club in | | | | 76 bpm, clip the metronome to a pocket, and practice |
| their golf bag during a round of golf, however, putting is | | | | putting to the cup in time with the metronome. As |
| one of the least effectively practiced parts of their | | | | Shannon demonstrates, the putting stroke will consist |
| game. Mike Shannon, putting instructor at Sea Island | | | | of starting with one tone of the metronome and |
| Golf Learning Center, and considered by many to be | | | | impact the ball at the next tone. |
| the world's best putting instructor, has some great | | | | After putting the 12 balls a few times, says Shannon |
| advice regarding establishing a repeatable putting | | | | "most of your balls should be in a pattern." Most of |
| stroke. | | | | them will be in a two to three foot radius somewhere |
| According to Shannon, establishing a consistent rhythm | | | | around the cup. |
| to the putting stroke is essential. For every golfer, | | | | "If most putts are right around the cup, then 76 beats |
| speed is everything in putting. Says Shannon, "When | | | | per minute is right for you. If several are past the hole, |
| you talk about speed, you have to talk about the | | | | three, four or five feet, 76 bpm is too slow, giving you |
| rhythm of the putting stroke." To establish an individual's | | | | too much time to make the stroke, so turn the |
| rhythm, a simple drill is in order. One that makes use of | | | | metronome up to 77 or 78 bpm. If the pattern is short |
| a metronome. | | | | of the cup, then 76 bpm makes your stroke too short, |
| Establishing a Rhythm | | | | so turn the metronome down." (GolfersMD.com) |
| According to Shannon, "Ninety percent of all the (tour) | | | | Once the optimal putting rhythm is established using the |
| players have a rhythm of 76 beats per minute." All tour | | | | metronome, more consistency will be achieved. For |
| players, says Shannon, have a rhythm of between 72 | | | | putts of differing lengths, although the putting stroke will |
| and 80 beats per minute (bpm) with a metronome. | | | | be either longer or shorter, the rhythm that is |
| A golfer can establish his or her rhythm using a | | | | established will not change. According to Mr. Shannon, |
| metronome by putting 12 or so balls to a cup that is | | | | "For good distance control and good speed control, get |
| approximately 25 feet away. Set the metronome to | | | | your metronome and do some work. |