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Finding the Cup
IAbout 10 things go through your mind when you prepare to hit a putt. Is it uphill, downhill? Right lip, left lip? What about the wind, or where you hands are positioned? Or what happened to your last putt from this range? Now, if just one of those thoughts is negative, you've missed it. Don't even bother hitting it. You must be thinking 100% positive thoughts at all times. Once I've got got positive thoughts, I strikel it's one practice swing and go. I don't delay. Those who delay will miss. If you're confident, you're halfway there. I've thought this way throughout my career. That's why I am quicker than most and also why I've holed out consistently well throughout my career. "POSITIVE THOUGHTS, IN". Right, now next hole.
1. Look past the hole
On every short putt my first step is to pick a point the other side of the hole, where I would want the ball to end up if there was no hole in the way. That point is around 18 inches past the cup - believe it or not, It's been proven that 17 inches past is the optimum pace for putts to drop. Putting to a spot past the hole doesn't just help my pace; it also encourages me to make a full, free and positive follow-through, which is essential for sending the ball away pm line.

2. Light Hands
On every short putt I will check my grip pressure. When your hands are light, the putter can flow. We want the putter to glide back and through smoothly on this precision, touch shot. Tight hands promote a short and jerky stroke.
Soft hands also give my wrists mobility. I have more wrist movement than most. Some swing from the shoulders, with almost locked wrists, but to me that's robotic and limits your touch. I like to feel some play in my wrists because it helps feel.

  

3. Backswing is a third as long as the
follow-through
A - If my putting is off, it's usually because I don't follow though properly. My throughstroke can get short, hesitant. I don't accelerate through and the ball struggles to reach the hole. It's a common flaw with amateurs, too. When I get like this, I always spend a few practice sessions looking at the hole while I putt. It's really amazing how easy it is and how far through you go. Without thinking about it, my follow-through is suddenly 5-6 inches longer. You never go short, and you won't miss it. It works so well I even tried it on course once, during the Dunhill Links at Kingsbarns. I shot 65. I never did it again though - got frightened!

  
B - Think of this like throwing a ball to someone. You don't look at the ball while you throw it. You look at the object. You can't follow through until you know how far away your target is.  
Golf World - Monty Special
© 2008 Colin Montgomerie. All Rights Reserved. Unless stated otherwise all images copyright Getty Images.