Golf Tips: Putting in the Dark

Putting is a gift.  Some players seem to have a feel for it, and some don't--even at the highest levels.  I was reading about Billy Casper the other day when I came across a tip he suggested to Ben Hogan on putting.  Hogan was well known for being possibly the best ball striker ever, but struggled with the flat stick.  Casper's advice to Hogan was to putt in the dark. Around dusk when it is starting to get dark, head out to the practice putting green.  Not suggesting trespassing, but perhaps getting onto one of the greens on your home course after closing is a great possibility too.  You want to practice when there's barely enough light to see the hole, and keep practicing until it is too dark to see the hole. Walk around the green and around the hole on the line of your chosen putt and try to "feel" the contours and elevation changes in the green with your feet and your body, not your eyes.  That will give you a deeper understanding of the breaks and speed. Since you can barely see the hole, and won't be able to see it as it gets darker, try to let your mind produce a picture of the putt and the break for you and trust what you're seeing in your head.  Combine the feel you absorbed walking the line with the image of the putt's break and speed which is in your head and make strokes. You may not be able to see the balls roll well, but hopefully you'll hear the magic sound of putts dropping.  Those that don't drop will hopefully be very close to the hole.  If they are, you'll know you've got the feel. Try it!