Like every other professional sport, golfers too need to go through a pre-game warm-up. Indeed proper warm up is the key difference between the approach of tour pros and amateurs to the game of golf. By allocating sufficient time for warm-up, tour professionals ensure they are fully prepared to do their best on the golf green. Amateurs will do well to get to the course early which will allow them time to complete the entire warm up routine at a leisurely pace. In fact, the warm-up drill sets the tempo for the day.
When you spend time warming up on the green, you will be well prepared for the speed of the greens. In addition, you will also be starting your golf outing with a smooth tempo. It makes little sense to visit the golf range, stretch and limber up for the opening drive, and then wait for a quarter of an hour almost motionless on the green.
Here is a golf putting drill for the practice green. During the first few minutes of your golf putting drill, putt to a tee or a coin from a distance of twenty and thirty feet. Putt from a variety of angles and watch how the ball rolls. Speed control is a critical aspect in golf putting technique. Any time you spend judging the pace of the course will reap you good dividends by improving your game. You should spend five minutes rolling putts to a tee or coin from ten feet. Here is a golf putting tip: I would advise you not to putt at the cup. The advantage is that if you roll putts at a small target like a tee or coin, the hole will appear huge and you would easily be able to achieve your target. Your confidence will obviously increase with every success. You can conclude your warm up session by sitting 25 six-inch putts straight up hill.
Many amateurs often complain that the greens on the course are quite different from the practice greens and it is adversely affecting their golf putting technique. Actually, the only difference between the two greens is the pressure to perform at the course. In fact the grass at the practice green is cut at the same height using the same mower. The practice green is usually also constructed in the same manner as the greens. I tell them that it is simply mental golf at play. The pressure to perform comes into play on the course and makes the greens seem different.
For More information on putting, check out this collection of putting tips: Golf Putting Technique