Johnny Miller shares his secrets to making more putts

Golf instruction is always changing, but the best advice is timeless. In GOLF.com’s new series, Timeless Tips, we highlight the greatest pieces of advice from teachers and players in the pages of GOLF Magazine. Today, Johnny Miller shares a great tip from our September 1975 issue. For unlimited access to GOLF Magazine’s digital archive, join Inside GOLF today; you’ll enjoy $140 worth for just $39.99 per year.

Johnny Miller is best known for three things: being a great ballplayer, that Oakmont 63 and his famous broadcasting career. Hitting the ball may have been Miller’s calling card during his career, but he made his fair share of putts, too. You don’t win many major tournaments without some really good putting days.

We’ve covered Miller’s hitting keys before in Timeless Tips, so today we’re going into the archives to take a look back at his putting tips. Back in 1975, Miller shared some of his vegetable secrets GOLF Magazine, and you can read all about them below.

Johnny Miller laying the keys

Everything I do in my putting technique is for one purpose: To produce a strong connection between the ball and the face of the putter. Whenever you hit the ball hard, you can count on it to stay in line. Putts that hit the heel or toe are the ones that miss. To develop a solid strike, you must first develop a solid stroke.

If you had a straight, four-foot putt, would you try to push the putter head down the line to the hole or would you lead your hands into the hole? If you answered, putter head, you are probably an awkward putter because you use too much of your wrist. Whenever you press the putter head down the line, the right hand plays a big role. When you lead both hands to the hole, both hands play an equal role. Let’s start with gestures, which I think are the key to consistency.

Few golfers lead their hands to the hole. They are obsessed with the putter blade. They focus on pushing the putter head into line, closing it, opening it or keeping it square; the putter head becomes the focus of attention for many players. Unfortunately, the attention is wasted, because if there is a mistake, it will be on the other side of the putter, in the hands. The putter, being an extension of your hands can only do what your hands allow it to do.

Once I put the putter blade on top, I forget about everything. My hands, like the face of the putter, are placed dead square in the hole with what I call a palm-to-palm grip. So you’re fully aware, place your hands on either side of the grip, palms facing up, and make sure the putter is square to your target line. Now place your hands on the grip so that your thumbs are down towards the middle. This quickly sets both of your palms “square” to the face of the putter.

In terms of actual grip, I recommend the opposite overlap. In my case, I pass my left index finger under the first three fingers of my right hand. The only reason it’s not all four fingers is because I have a little separation between my index finger and the next one on my right hand. I found this grip to be the most successful because it puts all the fingers of my right hand on the club. And most of the sensitivity is in the right hand.

Most of the grip pressure should be applied to the left hand, and the right hand simply rests on the club. You should feel the back three fingers of your left hand grip tightly. This will create an even balance between the two hands and prevent the left hand from collapsing or having a wrist. Beware, however, of holding too hard with both hands, a very common mistake, as this prevents side strokes.

The pose you think should be as natural as possible. Whenever you place your elbows away from your body, like chicken wings, you restrict the movement of your arms and shoulders; the stroke cannot be fluid. I encourage the elbows to be away from the body where they can work freely.

Now let’s look at some important basics that lead to solid hitting. Then we’ll talk a little bit about stroke.

If you study Jack Nicklaus when he putst, you will notice that: 1. He stands slightly open. 2. He plays football on his left heel. 3. His eyes are on the ball. These factors, I think, account for Jack’s consistent strokes.

I also recommend standing slightly open. It gives you a better view of the ball to the hole; you can measure the distance better. With a forward ball you can keep a clear picture of the line you want the ball to travel on. And finally, keeping your eyes on the ball allows you to see exactly the target line of the putt.

I personally do not believe that either hand plays a major role in the stroke. Both play an equal part. As a result of a single stroke, the shoulders will rotate slightly, but not consciously. As I mentioned earlier in the article, less movement in the wrists is better. Next you want to develop a good feel for leading your hands into the hole. Remember: If your hands go over the hole, the putter head will.

Overall, try to keep your stroke as smooth as possible. As an aid, I recommend to you a mental tempo gimmick that I have found very useful. This is a simple one-two count that keeps my mind focused on the stroke and out of the distracting thoughts that can creep in and ruin my chances of making the putt. All retreats count as one, and hits and follow-throughs count as two. The calculation is based on the speed of the stroke as I see it in my mind. First find your natural tempo, use the count to it, and then follow that rhythm during the beat. This will give you a nice flowing action and not a stroke, hesitation. When I’m under pressure, Andy Martinez, always reminds me of the number.

I’ve never been a spot putter. In other words, I don’t choose the place between the ball and the hole I’m going to get to. Spotting can kill concentration, because you have to keep checking to make sure you’re in the right place. And if you lose the place, you can waste a lot of mental effort trying to get rid of it. Instead, I visualize a line from the ball to the hole, position my blade about a degree to the left or right of the hole, and just lead my hands down the line. This method is very simple and keeps your mind free to focus on the distance.

While we’re on the subject of visualization; you must see the successful outcome of any putt you stand on, in your own mind, no matter how long the putt may be. If you plan a good thought, you will get a good result. They actually “see” the ball fall straight into the hole!

If you watch any top professional, you will notice that he has a certain pattern of talking to the ball. The pattern is like a machine. I have my own pattern too. First I look at the putt from behind and do everything I see. Then I go up to the ball. At first I put my feet together, ​​​​​​and spread my right foot, so my position​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ is about shoulder width apart. I check one hole, then look back at the putter to check my alignment. (Andy Martinez also kneels directly behind me and tells me when I’m on the line.) Then I take a second look at the cup, to feel how far away it is, and when I look back at the ball I draw the putter. back. Two looks – that’s what I take the most.

What purpose does the program serve? Whenever you are organized you are optimistic; your mind is focused on making the putt and not on other things. Plan a positive action in your mind and, again, the results will be positive.

Paul Runyan, one of the greatest golfers of all time, used to spend several hours a day listening to the sound of the ball coming off the putter head. He used to program his mind to absorb the feeling of strong connection – so much so that it became a habit. If you apply the thoughts I’ve described to your stroke, I suggest you try to hit the ball hard every time. In doing so, however, make sure your attention is on your hands and not the putter head.