Why telling a player to ‘accelerate’ through the ball could be bad advice

No matter how long you’ve played the game, chances are you’ve heard some version of this advice: “Accelerate through the ball.”

While this advice is likely well-meaning in the same vein as “keep your head down,” it’s not a directive you should necessarily heed on the green, says GOLF Top 100 Teacher E.A. Tischler.

“What’s accelerating? This is a misnomer,” Tischler said at GOLF’s Top 100 Teacher Retreat at Cabot Citrus Farms. “Most people are told to accelerate through the ball, say, like in putting, because they don’t want them to decelerate because they’re a decelerator, but the answer isn’t to practice accelerating, because then they start ramming them way past the hole also.

Instruction

“The key is to have a good repeatable tempo, and once you’ve changed directions, put your stroke on cruise control,” he continued. “And if you feel like from transition to follow-through you’re on cruise control, you’re gonna find that the club acceleration through the ball is going to be proper. And in reality, we have maximum acceleration when we change directions.

“So if that’s where maximum acceleration is, what’s acceleration through the ball supposed to look like?”

The answer? Overkill.

So if dialing in your putting stroke is a priority this season, follow Tischler’s advice and focus on honing a stroke with a consistent repeatable tempo instead of trying to accelerate your way through impact. Need a drill to get started? Click here. Your putting stats will surely thank you.

Putting Arc Mirror with gates

Elevate Your Putting Game with the Putting Arc Mirror The Putting Arc Mirror is your secret weapon to a more consistent and accurate putting game. This training mirror helps you master the fundamentals of putting alignment and stroke path, so you can confidently sink more putts. Perfect Your Putting Alignment and Stroke Key Features: Full Alignment Check: Analyze your eye line, shoulder alignment, and putter face angle to ensure a perfect setup. Built-in Arc Lines: Visualize the ideal putting arc with the integrated arc lines, inspired by our best-selling Putting Arc training aids. Compact and Durable Design: Easily take your practice routine anywhere with this portable and sturdy mirror. Choose Your Perfect Combo: Mirror with 3 Putting Gates: Practice precision and control with adjustable putting gates to help you hit your target line consistently. Mirror + Putting Arc T3 Combo: The ultimate training duo! Combine the Putting Arc Mirror with the Putting Arc T3 for a comprehensive putting practice experience that will help you groove a natural, repeatable stroke. Take Your Putting Game to the Next Level With the Putting Arc Mirror, you’ll gain the confidence and skill to dominate the greens. Order yours today and start putting like a pro!    

$49.99 from Fairway Jockey

View Product