Article by: Nicholas Steiner | Founder of Back 2 Basics Golf

Mastering distance control and the precision of your backstroke are fundamental to excelling in the art of putting in golf. These elements form the core of a golfer's ability to manage how far the ball rolls, which is crucial for targeting putts across varying distances. The finesse and consistency required to achieve this are often the difference between an average player and an expert putter.

To aid in this mastery, specialized equipment like the Pro Path Putting Mirror plays a critical role. This tool enhances a player’s ability to visually align their putting stroke more accurately with their intended target. The mirror provides immediate feedback on the alignment of the shoulders and eyes, as well as the position and movement of the club head during the stroke. This feedback is invaluable as it allows for real-time adjustments, leading to a more consistent and controlled putting stroke.

For further reference watch our YouTube video on proper Distance Control & Backstroke.

Backstroke in putting is the initial movement of the putter away from the ball toward the golfer, setting the stage for the forward stroke that propels the ball toward the target. This component of the putting stroke is fundamental because it directly influences the tempo, the accuracy, and ultimately the distance the ball will travel.

The length of the backstroke primarily determines the potential speed of the putt. A longer backstroke generally imparts more power to the putter, enabling the ball to travel further. Golfers need to calibrate their backstroke length based on the distance to the hole; shorter putts require a shorter backstroke to maintain control and precision, while longer putts may necessitate a longer, more fluid backstroke to cover the required distance.

The relationship between backstroke and putting success is pivotal. An optimal backstroke length helps maintain a consistent putting stroke and ensures that the putter head is squared at impact, critical for hitting the target line. Consistency in the backstroke leads to improved muscle memory, making accurate and controlled putts more habitual and less reliant on conscious adjustments during play.

To effectively use backstroke for better distance control, practice with a purpose-built tool like the Pro Path Putting Mirror. This tool can help visualize and adjust the length of your backstroke relative to the putt's required distance. Begin by setting up for a series of putts at varying distances and consciously adjusting your backstroke length. This practice not only improves your feel for distance but also enhances your overall control over the ball's speed and trajectory.

Controlling putt distance effectively hinges largely on the precise management of the backstroke. The backstroke in putting sets the stage for the power and trajectory of the putt, making its calibration essential for achieving the desired distance.

Adjusting Backstroke for Distance Control: To regulate putt distance, focus on the length of the backstroke. A longer backstroke generates more power, propelling the ball further. Conversely, a shorter backstroke provides greater control for shorter putts. Practice varying the length of your backstroke relative to the distance to the hole. For instance, for long putts, a full-length backstroke is necessary, whereas for shorter putts, reduce the backstroke to half or a quarter of its full length depending on the distance.

Using Visual Aids for Backstroke Calibration: Visual aids such as tees and putting mirrors, like the Pro Path Putting Mirror, are invaluable for this purpose. Place a tee at the point where the putter should stop in the backstroke for a specific putt distance. This physical marker acts as a tangible goal for backstroke limit. Similarly, the Pro Path Putting Mirror can be used to ensure your putter travels straight back along the intended line, enhancing accuracy in both direction and distance.

Techniques for Matching Backstroke to Putt Distance: To match backstroke length to putt distance effectively, start by practicing with different marked distances on a putting green or practice mat. Set up tees or use the markings on the Pro Path Putting Mirror as checkpoints for where your backstroke should end for each distance. This practice helps in developing a sense of how much backstroke is needed for varying distances, enhancing your muscle memory and control over putt distances.

The Pro Path Putting Mirror is a great training aid for refining your putting skills, especially focusing on alignment and stroke consistency. Setting up and using this tool effectively can dramatically enhance the accuracy and reliability of your putts.

Setting Up the Pro Path Putting Mirror To begin, place the mirror on the ground where you typically stand to practice your putting. Ensure it's aligned with the direction you intend your putt to follow. The mirror should reflect your stance and the club's position as you address the ball, allowing for immediate visual feedback. Position the tees provided with the mirror at strategic points to serve as physical guides for your stroke length and path.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Mirror

Alignment Check: Stand over the mirror and look down. Adjust your position until your eyes and shoulders are directly aligned with the markings on the mirror that represent the target line. This ensures your setup is square to the hole.

Stroke Practice: Execute your putting stroke, focusing on keeping the putter head parallel to the mirror's guidelines. This practice helps in maintaining a straight backstroke and follow-through, crucial for hitting your putts on the intended line.

Feedback and Adjustment: Use the visual feedback from the mirror to correct any deviations in your stroke path or setup alignment. The immediate visual cues help you adjust your stance, grip, or stroke path on the spot.

Regular use of the Pro Path Putting Mirror trains your muscle memory for a consistent putting stroke. It reinforces the fundamentals of a good stroke—alignment, stroke path, and length—making your putting stroke more reliable under various playing conditions. Integrating this tool into your regular practice routine not only improves your technical skills but also boosts your confidence on the green by providing consistent and dependable results.

Improving backstroke and distance control in putting is essential for golfers seeking more precision on the greens. Here are three drills designed to refine these aspects of your putting game:

Drill 1: Backstroke Length Check

- Objective: To create a consistent backstroke length that matches the intended distance of each putt.

- Setup: Use tees to mark physical points on the ground or a putting mat that align with the Pro Path Putting Mirror. Place a tee at what you determine to be the ideal stopping point for the putter head for different putt distances.

- Execution: Practice strokes aiming to stop the putter head at the tee without knocking it over. This drill helps to calibrate your stroke length for different putting distances.

Drill 2: Consistency Practice

- Objective: To develop muscle memory for a consistent backstroke.

- Setup: Set the Pro Path Putting Mirror on your practice surface and use the alignment features to ensure your stance and putter path are correct.

- Execution: Execute multiple putts focusing solely on maintaining a consistent backstroke length and speed. The repetition will help ingrain a consistent backstroke length into your muscle memory, making it more natural during play.

Drill 3: Progressive Difficulty

- Objective: To improve control over putt distances by progressively increasing the challenge.

- Setup: Start with shorter putts and gradually increase the distance after every successful series of putts. Use the Pro Path Putting Mirror to monitor your alignment and stroke path.

- Execution: Begin with a series of short putts, ensuring you can consistently hit your targets with controlled backstroke lengths. Gradually increase the distance, requiring longer backstrokes and more precise speed control. This drill helps adjust your stroke to handle a variety of putting scenarios you might encounter on the course.

These drills offer structured ways to enhance your putting accuracy and control. By practicing the Backstroke Length Check, you'll gain better awareness of how much power to apply for different distances. Consistency Practice helps solidify a reliable stroke pattern, while Progressive Difficulty prepares you for the dynamic demands of different putt lengths on the course. Integrating these exercises into your regular practice routine will lead to improved consistency and confidence in your putting game, ultimately resulting in lower scores on the greens.

In conclusion, mastering the backstroke and controlling distance are pivotal for precision in putting. These skills, fundamental to lowering scores, require consistent practice and a deep understanding of stroke mechanics. Utilizing tools like the Pro Path Putting Mirror can dramatically enhance your ability to gauge and refine your technique during practice sessions. Commit to regularly practicing the drills discussed to develop a smoother, more controlled putting stroke. The immediate benefit is not only improved performance on the greens but also increased confidence in every putt you face, transforming practice into tangible results in your golf game.