Trigger ­finger points to great putting

By T.J. TOMASI

Putting on the pro tours demands mastery of a stroke with greater control and a more sensitive touch than the average golfer uses because the greens are so slick and unforgiving. The traditional putting grip in the photo here is where it starts.

The index finger of this player’s left hand is pointing at the ground as a cue to start the putter head moving straight back away from the ball. This helps ensure that his left wrist does not cup more than it started with at address.

The key to this stroke is the right index finger, which is curled into a trigger. This is the feel center, and the golfer gets his go signal as he monitors the pressure point of his right “trigger”finger.

The putting stroke is initiated by a rocking motion of the elbows on the backswing where the left elbow moves downward and the right moves up. On the way to impact, the right elbow straightens a tad, creating a piston-type stroke where the clubface points directly at the target even after the ball is long gone.

This action causes the clubhead to rise significantly because the butt end of the club remains pointed at his belt buckle, where it was at address. This method is great for producing a slight overspin on the ball, which helps it stay on its line.