Shoulder Putting - GLEN BOWEN

In golf, the “rocking shoulder” putting technique focuses on minimizing arm and hand movement and instead using the shoulder blades to control the stroke. The idea is to achieve a smooth, controlled, and repeatable putting motion by letting the shoulder blades glide across the rib cage during the stroke.

Why Rocking the Shoulders Works

This technique reduces unnecessary moving parts in your putting stroke. By primarily engaging the shoulder blades, golfers maintain a stable and consistent motion, which leads to improved accuracy on the greens. It encourages a compact, efficient stroke driven by core body movement rather than relying heavily on the arms and hands.

Key Elements of the Rocking Shoulder Technique

Elbow Positioning: Resting the elbows gently against the rib cage helps stabilize the stroke, preventing excess arm movement.
Stroke Path: The putter should move straight back and straight forward along a natural pendulum arc at your body’s tempo-whether slow, medium, or fast.
Stroke Length: The length of your backstroke and follow-through should correspond to the distance of the putt, adjusted for uphill, downhill, or sidehill slopes.

Simple Drills to Develop the Rocking Shoulder Stroke

Elbow Anchor Drill: Place your elbows lightly against your rib cage and practice putting strokes focusing on moving only your shoulders. This helps lock out excess arm movement.
Mirror Drill: Use a mirror to watch your shoulder and elbow movement, ensuring your arms stay quiet and the stroke remains pendulum-like.
Pendulum Rhythm Drill: Without a ball, swing the putter back and forth at a consistent tempo driven by your shoulders to build the feel of a smooth rocking motion.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Wrist Flipping: Excessive wrist action leads to inconsistent contact and poor distance control. Keep wrists firm but relaxed.
Overusing the Hands: Trying to manipulate the putter with your fingers or hands disrupts the smooth shoulder-driven motion.
Lifting the Elbows: Removing elbow contact with the rib cage allows the arms to move independently, breaking the rocking motion.

How This Technique Helps Under Pressure

Putting under pressure often causes tension in the hands and arms, leading to jerky or rushed strokes. The rocking shoulder technique encourages a relaxed, natural pendulum motion that’s less prone to tension. Practicing this stroke builds trust and confidence, helping you stay calm and consistent when it counts.

Adapting Your Stroke for Different Greens

Fast Greens: Use a shorter, more controlled rocking motion to avoid overshooting.
Slow Greens: Lengthen your stroke while maintaining smooth shoulder movement to generate enough speed.
Slopes: Adjust your stroke path and length to compensate for uphill, downhill, or sidehill breaks, always keeping the rocking shoulder motion consistent.

Equipment Considerations

Putters designed for pendulum strokes often have heavier heads and balanced weighting to promote smooth rocking motions. Putters favoring wristy strokes tend to be lighter and more maneuverable but require more hand action. Choosing a putter that complements your rocking shoulder technique can make a noticeable difference in consistency.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the rocking shoulder putting technique means focusing on subtle shoulder blade movements while minimizing arm and hand involvement. Prioritizing body mechanics over excessive manipulation of the putter refines your stroke and elevates your performance on the greens.

By incorporating targeted drills, avoiding common pitfalls, managing pressure effectively, adapting to green conditions, and selecting the right equipment, you can develop a reliable and confident putting stroke that lowers your scores.

Glen Bowen