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The article below was written by Matt Chivers of National Club Golfer.

Relaxing dress code rules has been vital to more youngsters visiting Paul Lawrie’s golf centre in Aberdeen, as the 1999 Open champion told the NCG Golf Podcast.

 

Dress code has been vital to the success of Paul Lawrie’s golf centre in Aberdeen.

When footfall at the 1999 Open champion’s thriving driving range took a turn, he investigated by asking youngsters why they stopped visiting the site in Royal Deeside.

“We certainly allow them to dress in any way that they feel comfortable when they come here for lessons and to play,” he told the NCG Golf Podcast.

“I think that’s important because when we first started the foundation, it was really, really busy, but then it tailed off for a while.

“I asked a few of the kids who hadn’t been for a while, what’s the story? ‘I don’t want to dress, I don’t want to change clothes to go and play golf’.

“You think wow! You’ve got to learn from stuff like that, you’ve got to ask the kids, what do you want? To a certain extent, they can’t do everything that they want.

“They’ve got to behave and they can’t shout and ball, but to a certain extent, they’ve got to be able to wear a hoodie, they’ve got to be able to wear leggings, joggers, so we’re not hard and fast.”

Golf’s worst-kept secret is its etiquette, and the style of clothing required at many golf clubs is part of this.

Many interpret this as a barrier to participation which inspires initiatives like Golf It! in Glasgow to take off.

As well as offering food stalls, a huge driving range and Toptracer screens galore, young golfers are under no pressure at Golf It! to wear tailored trousers or smart shoes.

In 2021, PGA chief executive Robert Maxfield said dress code is among the rules in golf that need relaxing to welcome more people to the golf course.

“I think we have to look at rules. I think we have to look at the way that golf clubs operate. I think we need to be more welcoming. We need to be more welcoming to kids. We need to be more welcoming to ethnic groups, to more women,” he said.

“We have to shake this label of being a middle-class, white male, dominated sport. I think we have to become more family-friendly.”

Relaxation in the sport’s rigid dress rules is no stranger to the highest level either. The likes of Tyrrell Hatton and Erik van Rooyen have respectively paved the way for hoodies and joggers in the past.

T-shirts have begun to evolve without collars and golf shoes look more like trainers by the day.

Lawrie, 55, took over the golf centre in 2012 and it now plays host to 24 hitting bays, a nine-hole par 3 course, three PGA coaching professionals, a custom-fitting bay, physiotherapy services and a coffee shop named Clarets.

The two-time European Ryder Cup member recognises the importance of tradition but also that enjoyment must outweigh the negative impact tradition can have on participation.

“I think you’ve got to be careful with children and we’ve learned that over the years where the most important thing you must put in them is, it’s fun,” he added.

“The old school and the old way of doing it was to make sure everyone dressed in a certain way and behaved in a certain way.

“I’m not saying that’s not important, but I think the most important thing and a lot of older people miss or lose is that kids aren’t having fun playing for a while in golf.

“Too many rules and too much ‘don’t stand here, don’t do this, don’t do that’.”

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The article below was written by Nicola Slater of National Club Golfer.

Choosing the right putter can make a world of difference in your game. With so many putters on the market, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure you select a putter that suits your game.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the top 5 things to keep in mind when buying a new putter, from balance styles to grip preferences. Whether you’re a professional or just starting out, these expert putting tips will help you select your perfect putter.

 

1. Head shape

Perhaps the most obvious thing to consider when choosing a putter is the head shape. It’s visually the first thing that a golfer will observe.

There are different styles to consider, blade style putters or mallets. Mallet putters tend to be the preference of high handicappers or player’s as they offer a larger sweet spot. The greater head weight also helps provide more stability in the stroke.

A blade on the other hand will give a golfer more feel, control and precision. However, this isn’t to say a high handicapper shouldn’t use them, it’s just general guidance.

On top of this there are the different variations of both these styles. This is more so the case with mallet putters as there can be more design options. This includes two ball, fang, square and many more. There is no right or wrong shape to use but it’s worth testing out a few options as what looks great on the shelf doesn’t always suit your eye on the greens.

 

2. Putter balancing styles

A lot of golfer’s might not have a lot of awareness around the workings of their putter. Putters have different centre of gravities that help with what the face does. There are three different types, toe balanced, face balanced and counter balanced.

Toe balance putters

This is where the putter’s COG (centre of gravity) is toe bias. This causes the putter head to rotate open and closed during a stroke. 

Who it’s for?

Ideal for golfers who have an arc-shaped putting stroke. Where the putter face opens and closes during the stroke as it helps follow that natural arc.

 

Face balance putters

This putter type is designed to help with a COG near the middle of the head. This means that it prevents the face from rotating open or closed during the stroke. 

Who it’s for?

A face balanced putter works best for those golfers who has a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke. With a lack of face rotation in their stroke, a face balanced putter mirrors this with no rotation.

 

How to check which putter style you have

This isn’t something that’s obvious visually when just looking at a putter. As shown above, the best way to check is by placing the putter shaft on your index finger, close to the head. The putter should be able to balance perfect on your finger, allowing you to see how the face hangs. 

A putter where the face is pointing to the sky is face balanced. If the toe is toe is down, then it’s a toe balanced putter.

 

Counterbalance putters

They are a few inches longer than normal putters but, crucially, don’t come into contact with your belly or chest and so will be a style you can continue to use next year when the anchoring ban comes into effect. They feature a heavier head than is usual and additional weight at the top of the grip. The idea is that the putter head wants to keep moving forward and the weight in the grip is also pushing it through.

A counterbalance putter has extra weight added either to the grip or the top of the shaft to help stabilise the putting stroke. This design shifts the balance point further up the shaft, which allows the player to use a lighter grip and maintain better control over the putter’s movement.

Who it’s for?

This type of putter is especially beneficial for golfers with a quicker or shaky putting stroke or those who tend to have less control in their hands and wrists. The added weight at the top helps reduces wrist movement and promoting a smoother, more controlled stroke.

 

3. Beware of soft inserts

A lot of putters are designed with fast, smooth, close-cropped American greens in mind. If your usual surfaces are a little more woolly than that, and with the occasional bobble, then you might want something a little different.

It’s great having a soft insert in the face that gives you extra feel when facing a slick downhiller, but not so good when your uphill 15-footer never threatens the hole.

It just isn’t that often here in the UK that we face greens stimping at 10 and above. So unless your home course is one of the exceptions then we suggest you think of using a putter that has a slightly crisper fee.

 

4. Grip change it all

Golf grips come in different shapes and sizes. With so many to choose from it can be quite overwhelming so here’s a breakdown of what each style helps with.

A standard slimmer grip size tends to be the preference for players who enjoy to feel their putts more.

Oversized grips are were popularised by SuperStroke through Jordan Spieth with a runaway Masters and US Open Champion win. The theory behind these oversize grips is that they will make your stroke smoother by taking the small muscles in your hands out of the equation.

Wrist lock putters allows the wrist to sit along the grip. The concept behind this is that it remove the use of the wrists, helping create a better stroke. 

Reverse taper grips are a style of grip where the grip is wider on the lower part of the grip and gets slimmer as it goes up. The concept behind this is that it reduces the movement in the lower hand.

Changing your grip can give the feeling of a completely different putter. So if you have lost confidence with your current flatstick, a great option is to change the grip rather than abandon the putter completely.

 

5. Alignment is everything

Our eyes and brains work in different ways. What works for one golfer may confuse the next one. Starting the ball off on line is the most important part of putting and so finding a putter that helps do this is crucial.

Different brands have different alignment aids on their putters, some thicker liner, some thin and even some without. Figuring out which best suits you is important, so it’s worth testing out different styles.

Below shows a three different putter alignment styles. In the top left corner the RAM that has with three thin lines. Top right is the Odyssey with a much larger white line the frame the ball. Mizuno is bottom left with one singular thin line and the classic Odyssey Two Ball has two circles “balls” as per the name.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, selecting the right putter is a crucial step in improving your performance on the greens. Factors like face balance style and grip might get overlooked but they’re actually important to consider. Take the time to test different options and find what feels best for you.

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The article below was written by Matt Chivers of National Club Golfer.

Golf is a massively popular sport among professional footballers. More and more have become involved in the game both during and after their careers.

They often pop up in celebrity Pro-Ams before tournaments get underway and if you’re Gareth Bale, they can become invested in the sport on a regular basis.

Footballers are often the envy of mere mortals who can barely hit the crossbar from 12 yards, but it is common that they excel with a golf club in their hands too.

Events such as the Reignwood Icons of Football event on Sky Sports are where footballers jump at the chance to hit the golf course. The event in Bangkok is held from March 1-2 and sees two teams of 12 players captained by Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia compete.

Westwood is captaining Team England and Garcia is captaining Team World with the likes of Luis Figo, Gianfranco Zola and Carlos Tevez playing. Each player will take on the richest hole in golf – the par-3 12th hole at Robinswood Golf Course with a $10 million pot on the line.

Without further delay, let’s go through some of the most passionate golfers among England footballers and discover what handicap each former player has.

 

Footballers golf handicaps

 

Jimmy Bullard

Handicap: Scratch

The former Hull City, Wigan and Fulham star suffered terribly with injuries throughout the latter stages of his career, giving him plenty of time to hit the course. Bullard turned pro in 2013 after persistent knee injury troubles and appeared on the EuroPro Tour as recently as 2013.

He is now seen on the golf course more than ever. He is a presenter on Tubes and Ange Golf Life, a golf YouTube channel set up by Peter ‘Tubes’ Dale, a cult star from the now-defunct Soccer AM of Sky Sports.

 

John Terry

Handicap: 7.5

Former Chelsea and England defender John Terry played in the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth in 2023 where his handicap was down on the list at 7.5. However, it was also revealed that his handicap had gone down as low as 1.1.

 

Phil Jones

Handicap: 21-32?

It isn’t clear what former Manchester United and England defender Phil Jones plays off, but he is a very keen golfer and couldn’t find time while playing at Old Trafford for 12 years.

“I love everything about the game. I love the competitive streak you can have with friends, and I’ve played in a few pro-ams post-career. You always get those little jitters and those little nerves before the start of a game, and I don’t think there’s anything that can relate to that,” he told the Mirror.

 

Jermain Jenas

Handicap: 3

Former England and Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas is a very decent golfer. At the 2023 BMW PGA Championship pro-am, his mark was 3 so he has spent much time on the course since retiring in 2014.

 

Paul Ince

Handicap: 7

A general on the pitch and clearly one on the fairways, Paul Ince plays off 7. He played for England, Manchester United, Liverpool and Inter Milan during his illustrious career.

 

Joe Hart

Handicap: 14

Joe Hart was England’s No.1 goalkeeper for many years and won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups with Manchester City. The towering stopper from Shrewsbury plays off 14 – pretty solid.

 

Robbie Fowler

Handicap: 7

According to a few reports from the last 12 months, Robbie Fowler plays off 7, another single-figure former footballer. He is a legend of Liverpool, scoring over 260 goals in two stints for the club.

 

Paul Scholes

Handicap: 4

Paul Scholes is a very handy player. He has been seen at many celebrity pro-ams down the years and is a popular figure in Manchester having won 11 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues.

 

Lee Sharpe

Handicap: Scratch

Lee Sharpe is another former Manchester United player who loves golf. He has been down to scratch for a while now and also joined forces with American Golf in a line of clothing with Stromberg.

 

Teddy Sheringham

Handicap: 4

It seems Teddy Sheringham has the same mark as Paul Scholes, according to different reports. He is a massive lover of the game and has been since retiring from a career that saw him win three Premier League titles, a Champions League and an FA Cup.

 

Theo Walcott

Handicap: 10

Theo Walcott is one of many former footballers to have played in the BMW PGA Championship pro-am at Wentworth. It seems he plays off 10 and has enjoyed the game since spending his career at Southampton, Arsenal and Everton.

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Golf alignment sticks are an essential tool in every golfer’s bag, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro. They are simple, affordable, and effective, helping golfers improve their swing, aim, and ball striking. But how exactly do you use golf alignment sticks?

In this guide, we’ll look at everything you need to know, from understanding what they are, to how to use them effectively, and some helpful drills to make the most of them.

 

What are golf alignment sticks?

Golf alignment sticks are long, thin rods, typically around 48 inches long, made of lightweight materials like fibreglass or plastic. These sticks are often brightly coloured (neon yellow, orange, or green), making them easy to spot on the course or at the range. The main purpose of alignment sticks is to help improve alignment, ball position, swing path, and other aspects of a golfer’s game.

While they may seem simple, alignment sticks can work wonders to help you perfect your setup and swing path. Essentially, they act as visual guides to ensure your body, clubface, and ball position are all aligned correctly with your target.

 

Why do golfers use alignment sticks?

You might wonder, with all the golf gadgets and training aids out there, why should you bother using alignment sticks? Well, they help with a number of things:

  • Improving aim and alignment: One of the most common problems for golfers is poor alignment. Golfers often unknowingly align their body or clubface incorrectly, which leads to off-target shots. Alignment sticks give you a visual reference to set up correctly, making it easier to aim properly.
  • Swing path and control: Alignment sticks can help you visualise and maintain an inside-to-out or outside-to-in swing path, ensuring you’re making solid contact with the ball.
  • Ball positioning: Many golfers struggle with placing the ball in the right spot in relation to their stance. Alignment sticks can help you make sure the ball is positioned in the best place for different clubs.
  • Clubface control: Correct alignment is key to ensure the clubface is square at impact, which is important for consistency in your shots.
  • Developing consistency: Regularly using alignment sticks during practice helps develop muscle memory, which leads to more consistent swings and shots on the course.

 

How do golf alignment sticks work?

Golf alignment sticks work by providing visual references for body and club alignment, swing paths, and ball position. They guide you through a proper setup, helping make sure that you’re correctly positioned to hit your target. By setting the sticks up in different ways, you can use them for various drills and exercises that focus on different aspects of your game

For example, you can use one alignment stick to ensure your body is aligned properly with the target, while another stick can be placed to ensure your swing path is on track. They can also mark where the ball should be in relation to your stance or show you how to align the clubface.

 

How to use alignment sticks in golf: step-by-step guide

Now, let’s look at how to use golf alignment sticks effectively. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

 

1. Setup alignment for aiming

The simplest and most common use for alignment sticks is to help improve your aim and body alignment.

How to do it:

  • Place one alignment stick on the ground along your target line. This will serve as a visual guide for your aim.
  • Position your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the stick (in line with your target), ensuring you are aligned correctly.
  • Make sure your clubface is also pointed down the same line, aimed directly at the target.

Why it works: This drill helps you visualise proper alignment, ensuring you’re not unknowingly aiming left or right. It also helps to prevent the tendency to open or close your body or clubface incorrectly.

 

2. Swing path drill

Alignment sticks are excellent for helping you maintain the correct swing path.

How to do it:

  • Place one alignment stick on the ground, parallel to your target line.
  • Set up another alignment stick at a slight angle (pointing to the right for right-handed golfers).
  • During your swing, focus on making sure your club follows the inside-to-out swing path, brushing the second stick as you pass through impact.

Why it works: This drill helps you avoid an “over-the-top” swing, a common mistake leading to slices. By following the inside-to-out path, you’ll develop the feel for hitting a draw or just maintaining a consistent ball flight.

 

3. Ball position drill

Ball positioning can have a huge impact on your shots, especially with longer clubs. Using alignment sticks can make sure that you’re putting the ball in the correct spot for each club.

How to do it:

  • Place one alignment stick on the ground in front of your target line (parallel to the target line) to mark where you want the ball to be.
  • For a driver, position the ball just inside the left heel. For mid-irons, the ball should be centre, and for wedges, the ball should be slightly back in your stance.
  • Make sure the ball is aligned with the stick and positioned correctly for each shot.

Why it works: Correct ball position is important for hitting solid, consistent shots. If the ball is too far forward or back, it can affect your strike and trajectory. Using alignment sticks helps ensure your ball is always in the right place.

 

4. Clubface alignment drill

One of the most important aspects of any golf swing is ensuring the clubface is square at impact. Alignment sticks can help you with this.

How to do it:

  • Place an alignment stick on the ground, pointing straight ahead, representing your target line.
  • Lay a second stick down perpendicular to the first, pointing directly at your clubface. This stick should be a few feet in front of you.
  • As you swing, focus on keeping your clubface in line with the stick at impact.

Why it works: This drill helps you visualise proper clubface alignment, ensuring the face is square to the target line at impact for more accurate shots.

 

5. The gate drill

This drill is great for improving your ball striking and swing path. It’s designed to help you make solid, clean contact with the ball.

How to do it:

  • Place two alignment sticks on the ground parallel to each other, just wider than the width of your clubhead.
  • Practice swinging through the “gate” created by the sticks, making sure your clubhead travels through the gap without hitting either stick.

Why it works: This drill helps eliminate excessive hand action or incorrect swing paths, ensuring your clubface stays on the proper track. It also encourages more consistent ball striking.

 

What are the best golf alignment sticks?

There are several high-quality golf alignment sticks on the market, but it’s important to choose a set that’s durable, easy to see, and provides clear visual references.

Here are some top recommendations:

 

1. Masters Drill Stix Alignment Roads

RRP: £12.99

These highly visible sticks come in four different colours. Lightweight and easy to use, these alignment rods can be placed on the ground to help with alignment and also be stuck in the ground at an angle to help with swing plane training or positioned side by side to create a gateway drill for precision shots. Their flexibility allows for safe target practice, as shots will glance off the stick rather than rebounding unpredictably. 

 

2. Brand Fusion Tour Golf Alignment Sticks

RRP: £9.99

These highly visible, durable alignment sticks are the ideal training aid for improving your golf setup. Designed for alignment drills, they help you achieve the perfect position for every shot. Each pack includes two sticks, drill sheets and instructions for guided practice.

 

3. Callaway Alignment Sticks

RRP: £15.00

Callaway’s alignment sticks are a solid option for any golfer. These sticks are durable, highly visible, and great for both beginners and experienced players. This set includes two 48-inch shock-corded steel rods that help with alignment, ball position, and swing plane. For easy storage, they come with a compact 19-inch plastic tube that conveniently fits in your golf bag’s apparel pocket.

 

Mastering the use of alignment sticks

Golf alignment sticks are simple yet powerful tools that can significantly improve your game. Whether you’re aiming for better accuracy, more consistent swings, or improved ball striking, alignment sticks are a great way to practice and reinforce good habits.

By using the tips and drills outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to hitting more consistent, accurate shots. Remember, consistency is key, and using alignment sticks regularly will help you develop muscle memory, making proper alignment second nature.

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The article below was written by Matt Chivers of National Club Golfer.

Golf is a benefactor in the growing trend of behind-the-scenes sports documentaries.

The first episode of Full Swing, which aired in February 2023, was highly anticipated given the turbulence between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League from the previous year.

The sport’s most controversial period was documented on Netflix, the most popular TV and movie streaming platform. Several players, including Rory McIlroyBrooks KoepkaDustin JohnsonJordan SpiethJustin Thomas, and Ian Poulter, allowed the cameras to peek into their private lives in the opening season.

The series was largely inspired by Formula 1’s Drive to Survive series, which also inspired other sports like tennis and English football clubs to follow suit. Season two arrived in March 2024 and now, season three is here.

The third series features another huge list of PGA Tour and LIV Golf stars and begins with showing some of these stars’ involvement in the filming of Happy Gilmore 2, which is also being released on Netflix in 2025.

Let’s discuss season 3 now we’ve passed the February 25 release date and tackle some commonly asked questions about the programme.

 

When does Full Swing come out?

Full Swing came out on Netflix on February 25, 2025. There is seven episodes following the stories of several PGA Tour and LIV Golf stars.

 

What is Full Swing about?

In each episode of Full Swing, the Netflix cameras follow a handful of players closely at a certain tournament, or across a couple of tournaments. You get to learn their personalities, meet their families, discover where they live and find out what it’s like to play in professional golf events and circulate a professional tour.

The series showcases the majors in depth, including the Masters, the PGA Championship, the US Open, and The Open. It also shows other events such as the Ryder Cup, the Players Championship, the Presidents Cup, and more.

Some of the stories with the players are very intimate. Some of the most popular storylines have been with PGA Tour players Joel Dahmen and Sahith Theegala, as well as Wyndham Clark who won the US Open in season 2.

Viewers see each player prepare for tournaments, how they react to various breaking news stories in the sport and the highs and lows of winning, losing and contending at tournaments.

 

What happens in Full Swing Season 3?

In season 3, we are introduced to new protagonists such as Neal Shipley. He was the low amateur at the Masters and the US Open in 2024. He played with Tiger Woods in the final round of the Masters and was the subject of media attention at the time.

“Neal Shipley is going to be a superstar after this,” Full Swing Executive Producer Chadd Mumm told the Mirror. “We keep saying he is this year’s Joel Dahmen. Neal has that same vibe.

“There is something about a college kid who makes it to the Masters and ends up playing golf with Tiger Woods on Sunday wearing his red shirt. He is living out his dream and he almost can’t believe he is there. It is really fun and super relatable.”

Now a Korn Ferry Tour regular, fans will no doubt enjoy Shipley’s personality and his journey to becoming the low amateur at two majors.

We get a sneak-peak into his career and personality which fans will no doubt enjoy. Another new character, so to speak, is Gary Woodland. A former US Open champion, Woodland shows us his ordeal with having surgery on a lesion on his brain, and emotionally divulges how the lesion acted on his anxiety and mental state.

Fans meet Woodland’s children and his wife Gabby and the emotional path through brain surgery and the symptoms of his issue. The lesion on his brain affected the part that concerns fear and anxiety. We also learn of his friendship with fellow US Open champion Justin Rose which might surprise some viewers.

Also, Min Woo Lee is featured. The popular Australian’s quest for the Olympic team and the Presidents Cup team is shown, as well as the fascinating dynamic of deciding where to live as a professional golfer.

An interesting scene takes place where Lee and his girlfriend Gracie talk about relocating and bump into Justin Thomas walking his dog, who is a resident of the tax-free haven of Jupiter, Florida.

The story of the year was shown. Scottie Scheffler was arrested on the morning of the second round of the PGA Championship after confusion in traffic outside of Valhalla. Netflix shows the reaction of the players at the PGA Championship and the extraordinary police footage of Scheffler being arrested.

You won’t be surprised to learn that Rory McIlroy is featured heavily in the series. He suffered arguably his most heartbreaking loss at a major championship when squandering the chance to win the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst. Bryson DeChambeau took victory and the Netflix cameras picked up McIlroy walking back through the Pinehurst complex, before leaving the course without speaking to DeChambeau or the media.

The season also documents this period in the context of McIlroy and his wife Erica‘s divorce which was eventually called off. As for DeChambeau, Mumm said that the LIV Golf and YouTube star declined to officially participate.

“He never sat down for an interview despite our best efforts,” Mumm added to the Mirror. “I think we did a really good effort of telling his story without his direct point of view.

“There is so much media. He is great in press conferences, he produces so much content on YouTube. It is still a really good portrayal of Bryson. In particular, as he matured, and redefined himself in front of the public. We do a really good job of capturing that. Would I rather he sat down for an interview?

“Absolutely, but he said no. We did the best we could with what we got. I still think it’s probably the deepest portrait of Bryson as both a player and figure that anyone has ever seen before.”

The series features the highs and lows of Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin who were desperate to make the International Presidents Cup team in 2024, but were ultimately unsuccessful. Then, there is the heartbreaking story of Camilo Villegas and his wife who lost their daughter Mia in 2020 to cancer, before her second birthday.

The series homes in on Keegan Bradley and revisits his disappointing commission from the 2023 US Ryder Cup team, but also his unexpected appointment as 2025 US Ryder Cup captain. Netflix also shows Bradley’s pivotal play in the Presidents Cup which America won against the International Team in 2024.

 

Where to watch Full Swing

If you have a Netflix subscription, you’ll be able to watch Full Swing. It will be exclusively shown by the mammoth streaming platform.

 

Which players are in season 3 of Full Swing?

These are the players involved in season 3 of Full Swing:

Ludvig Aberg, Keegan Bradley, Joel Dahmen, Bryson DeChambeau, Wyndham Clark, Tony Finau, Rickie Fowler, Adam Hadwin, Min Woo Lee, Minjee Lee, Shane Lowry, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Scottie Scheffler, Neal Shipley, Nick Taylor, Sahith Theegala, Justin Thomas, Camilo Villegas, Gary Woodland.

 

How many episodes of Full Swing are there?

In season 3, there are seven episodes of Full Swing. In season 1, there were eight episodes and there were also eight episodes in season 2.

 

Was Grayson Murray on Full Swing Netflix?

In May 2024, the golf world recieved the heartbreaking news that PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray had passed away. His parents Eric and Terry revealed in a statement that the cause of death was suicide.

Murray’s passing was not covered on Full Swing.

Posted by & filed under Playing Tips.

You’ll never come close to achieving your full potential on the golf course if you don’t work on your putting. Even if you’re a confident driver, if you’re not at home with a putter in your hands, too, you’ll struggle to hit anywhere close to par.

Ben Hogan once described putting as ‘the game within the game’. For one of the game’s greatest-ever ball strikers, putting was undoubtedly a source of frustration. But it doesn’t have to be that way for you.

In this blog, we provide 10 golf putting tips that you can use to improve your game, whether you’re on the green or practising at home.

 

How to practice golf putting

 

1. Get a good grip

A proper grip is the foundation of effective putting. Holding a putter incorrectly—especially with minor differences in your grip—can lead to a lack of control, inconsistent strokes, and missed opportunities.

How to do it

Whilst there’s more than one way to hold a putter, try starting with the most commonly used way—the reverse overlap grip:

  • Place your leading hand on the putter first with your thumb on the flat upper part, facing down.
  • Place your other hand higher than your leading one, with your thumb also facing down the club. Your index finger should lie across the fingers of your other hand, whilst the three others should curl under the grip.
  • Hold the putter in your palms rather than your fingers.
  • Ensure your grip pressure is even and relaxed.

Practice at home

Use a putter to rehearse your grip until you’re confident you’ve got the correct hold, and it becomes second nature.

 

2. Find the right stance and posture

Good posture and the correct stance are essential for accurate putting, ensuring you’re properly lined up with the hole and that you swing through the ball cleanly.

How to do it

  • Use a narrower stance than you would when driving, with your feet shoulder-width apart.
  • Bend slightly at the hips, keeping your back straight.
  • Place the ball slightly ahead of a centre line that runs between your feet.
  • Stand closer to the ball than you would when driving, with your arms near your body.
  • Position your head and eyes directly over the ball.
  • Let your arms hang naturally, creating a triangle between your shoulders and your hands.

Practice at home

Use a mirror to check your stance and posture. Find the right pose, then practice getting into and holding it so it becomes second nature.

 

3. Focus on proper alignment

Finding the right alignment is simple, but players often don’t devote enough attention to it, making it a common cause of missed putts.

How to do it

First, identify the line you want your ball to travel in. This might not be directly towards the hole if the green has a curve to it. For example, your line might be above the hole if the green slopes down towards it. Once you’ve worked out your line, ensure you’re properly aligned by:

  • Standing with your putter face pointing squarely towards your target line.
  • Positioning your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to your target line.
  • Using alignment aids (such as sticks) on your putter or drawing a line on the ball for visual guidance if needed. This can be a simple way to quickly improve your alignment on the green.

Practice at home

Practice using alignment sticks or placing two clubs parallel on the ground to create a path for your stroke.

 

4. Master the pendulum stroke

Poor putts are often caused by too much motion in your body—particularly unwanted and improper motion, causing the club face to change alignment. This is where a pendulum stroke can help.

A pendulum stroke is a putting motion where you swing predominantly with your shoulders, keeping the rest of your body still, to create a smooth and controlled action without any unwanted additional movement. Picture a pendulum swinging. Your shoulders swing while your arms and club stay straight like the pendulum.

How to do it

  • Put yourself in a good posture with the right grip (see above).
  • Focus on staying relaxed.
  • Swing with your shoulders without moving your legs and with your head staying down and motionless.
  • Keep your wrists steady and avoid breaking them during the stroke.
  • Swing the putter using your shoulders, keeping your arms and hands quiet.
  • Maintain a steady tempo back and through your swing.

Practice at home

Take some time to practice the swing at home to get the action right. You can record yourself swinging and watch it back afterwards to see how close you are to the desired motion. You can also use a metronome app on your phone to learn a consistent stroke rhythm. A 2:1 tempo (backstroke to forward stroke) is recommended.

 

5. Work on distance control

Another key aspect of putting is judging how much force you’ll need in a stroke to get your ball close to the hole. 

How to do it

  • Focus on the speed of your stroke rather than power.
  • Take practice swings before you step up to your ball to gauge the speed required for your putt.
  • Visualise your ball travelling across the green towards the hole before you swing. This can become an excellent way to judge distances and speed with practice.

Practice at home

You can easily practice distance control at home by placing a small target, such as a cup, at various distances away from you. As you putt, try to learn to stop the ball within a foot of the target to refine your control.

 

6. Learn to read the green

Putting is more of an art than a science. You can master your grip, stance, alignment and stroke, but if you choose the wrong target line, you’re never going to consistently sink putts from a distance. You need to be able to look at a green and judge its slopes and contours to know what target line to set before you swing.

How to do it

Learning to read a green takes experience. But to help you develop an instinct for it, as you first approach a green, you should:

  • Walk around your putt to observe the slope from all angles.
  • Get down low to see how the green curves and slopes.
  • Look for changes in grass colour (this can indicate grain direction).
  • Visualise your ball’s ideal path before stepping up to the putt.

Practice at home

You can use a putting mat with built-in slopes to get a feel for how balls travel at different speeds over curved surfaces. You can also place objects under a flat mat, like pillows or cushions, to create breaks and practice reading them.

 

7. Give putting aids a try

Golf putting aids can be a great way to learn good putting form and to help you diagnose and correct any flaws in your stroke.

How to do it

  • Try tools like a putting mirror to check your alignment and eye position.
  • Use a gate drill aid to ensure your putter path stays straight.
  • Work with a laser guide to visualise your stroke path.

Practice at home

A putting mat with alignment guides is a great way to practice putting effectively at home, even in small spaces. You can use most other putting aids at home with a putting mat, too.

 

8. Establish a pre-putt routine

Mindset is vital in golf. Getting yourself into the right frame of mind before you approach a shot can dramatically impact your game, confidence, and consistency. An established and deliberate routine you run through before you putt can be an excellent way to focus and get into the right headspace. 

How to do it

  • Decide on a sequence of actions to run through before putting. This could include assessing the lay of the green, picking your line, settling into your grip and stance, visualising your shot, and then taking practice strokes to make sure you find the right speed and swing before committing to your putt.
  • Follow the same pre-putt routine to make it second nature.

Practice at home

You can simulate your routine on a putting mat, repeating it regularly until your pre-putt routine becomes something you run through automatically on the course.

 

9. Use visualisation

We’ve mentioned it a few times already, but visualisation deserves some deliberate focus of its own. Visualisation is a mental technique where you focus on visualising an act and its outcome in your head, such as completing your swing, striking the ball cleanly, and sinking a putt. 

Putting is as much mental as it is physical, and visualisation can be a powerful way to play with success, especially as you grow accustomed and get better at it.

How to do it

  • Put yourself in your stance.
  • Take a moment to visualise yourself swinging and striking the ball.
  • Visualise the path the ball will take over the green and into the hole.
  • Run through some practice swings.
  • Take your putt.

Practice at home

Visualisation can feel odd at first, but it’s a skill you can develop with practice. Take some time at home to run through stepping up to a putt and visualising your shot with a putting mat to begin developing your ability to visualise with focus and clarity.

 

10. Practice under pressure

You can put yourself under plenty of pressure when putting. If your approach to the green was good, a clean putt can put you under par. If you’ve had a bad drive, you can pressure yourself to sink your putt quickly to try and recover. But too much pressure can be the death of good performance.

If you can simulate putting yourself under pressure, though, you can get better at performing when stressed, which can reap benefits on the course. 

How to do it

  • Create challenges for yourself, such as making 10 putts in a row, starting over if you miss.
  • Play competitive putting games with friends if you can.
  • Set up time-based drills to mimic pressured conditions.

Practice at home

Try high-pressure challenges and drills on a putting mat.