Padraig Harrington becoming the first European to win the PGA Championship since 1930 was a tale of three putts: a 12-footer for par on the 16th to tie, a 10-footer at No.17 to take the lead, and a 15-foot putt at the end placing him in the history books. Majors are all about putting under pressure, and Padraig and I have worked hard to build a stroke that eliminates manipulation and promotes trust, no matter what the situation. Here are the five keystones Padraig uses every time he steps into a putt. They’ve made him one of the game’s elite putters, and they’ll help your game, too.
1.Set Your Foundation
Standing correctly to the ball is the centerpiece of my putting instruction—get this right and the rest of the keystones fall easily into place. Your goal at address is to establish a posture that allows your shoulders to rock in a pendulum motion without any need for excess hand action or other compensations that won’t hold up under pressure. Copy the positions below:
• Tilt forward so that the top of your back is parallel to the ground. Set the handle over the ball.
• Flex your knees slightly, with your weight even over your heels and toes.
• Check that a line drawn up the shaft runs through your right forearm.
• You know you’re standing the correct distance from the ball when your left hand sits underneath the top of your back.
• Place 55% of your weight over your left foot and 45% over your right. Sole your putter so that it sits directly under the center of your chest.
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