[Kim Hyunjun's Photo Lesson] McIlroy's Short Putting "Fix the Left Wrist"

Face Right Angle "Maintain Triangle of Shoulders and Both Arms," Hit Somewhat Strongly Facing Hole Back Wall to Overcome Slight Slope

Rory McIlroy is focusing intensively on practicing short putts.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] 'Achilles tendon.'

The only weakness of Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) is putting. Last year, he ranked 2nd on the PGA Tour with an average drive of 313.5 yards and had a 'needle-like iron shot' with a greens in regulation rate of 68.55% (39th). In terms of long game, he is virtually the best in the world. However, on the greens, he has struggled at critical moments, such as during the second day of the 2018 PGA Tour AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the 5th hole (par 4, 349 yards), where he took as many as five putts from the fringe, causing frustration.

McIlroy underwent vision correction surgery in 2015 to acquire 'hawk eyes,' changed his putting grip and putter, and in 2016 invited Henrik Stenson's (Sweden) putting coach Phil Kenyon (England) for pinpoint lessons. The turning point came with his victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March 2018. Leading with an average of 1.39 putts per hole, he achieved his 14th career win after a year and a half since the Tour Championship in September 2016.

It is interesting that before this tournament, he received special tutoring from 'putting ghost' Brad Faxon (USA). In fact, he suffered the frustration of no wins in 2017 with an average of 1.77 putts per hole (85th), but improved to 1.74 (12th) in 2018, securing one win, and last year, with an average of 1.70 putts (2nd), he swept three wins with his 'stingy putting.' Above all, his short putting within 6 feet (1.83m) has strengthened. His success rate rose sharply from 66.67% (136th) in 2017 to 76.74% (27th) in 2018, and 79.31% (19th) last year.

The keyword for short putting emphasized by experts is 'left wrist fixation.' This is to keep the face square. If the face twists when contacting the ball, no matter how accurately the putting line is set, it is useless. If it opens, the ball goes right; if it closes, it goes left, and the farther the distance, the worse the effect. This is a point amateur golfers should pay attention to. The triangle formed by the shoulders and both arms must not be broken.

Let's review the basics of putting once again. First is the address process. Let both arms hang naturally, hold the putter with the right hand aiming at the target, then place the left hand on top and set the stance in that order. For short putts, you need to hit somewhat strongly toward the back wall of the hole to overcome subtle slopes around it. For long putts, distance control is naturally important. On steep slopes, the inflection point where the ball curves is a virtual hole. You should stroke low to the ground to improve the ball's roll.