1

Find a flat and level part of the putting green (or carpet). I usually roll a ball towards the hole or better still, simply use the Oracle to "Release" a ball from the aperture watching the behaviour of the ball as it rolls along the path. You're looking for a line where the ball rolls true and does not wander from the line.

2.

Now extend a 10ft chalk impregnated cord from the hole center across your flat surface. Holding the cord taut at each end, simply pluck the line at middle and let go. The line springs back to the ground leaving a neat straight chalk line impression on the ground. You may need to repeat a couple of times making sure not to scatter chalk dust or diffuse the line.

3.

Using your putter as a measure, place tees to mark off intervals at half club length or 18" apart along the line. The tees should be offset from the line by a putter width.

4.

Place balls on line at the designated intervals - Your chalk line is now set and you're ready to experience accelerated putting.

Starting with the nearest station, set-up your stance. Commence the Reflex routine; holding the ball in the aperture or "Eye" and rolling the ball forward and back along the line. With this I'm looking to get you to feel confident in holding the ball and giving you feedback from the added weight of the ball; sensing this resistance working up through your hands, the first pivot point, and then right up at the main shoulder pivot keeping the triangulation of putter hands and arms intact without there being any un-natural or awkward motion in your swing.

If you're new to Zen Oracle, it's important to first master this Reflex feedback because it forms the basis of the other three Zen principles. As the tempo starts to feed into your swing with a "tick-tock" motion, build up your rhythm to a point where you then "release" the ball forward and out of the "Eye" towards the hole. It's an easy motion that should sink the putt easily without any fuss.

Repeat this same exercise, grooving your swing through the Reflex routine for several strokes before Releasing the ball from the Eye into the hole.

Remember, this routine is all about sensing the various parts; working up from the ground, the ball, club head, hands, arms, elbows and shoulders as one component that is harmonious with your swing action. If you have a tendency to jab, yip or even scuff the ground, then Reflex will provide all the psychological building blocks that make swinging the putter second nature. The period you spend in Reflex before making the transition to Release is determined by the level of comfort and confidence you feel. If you feel a simple and effortless rhythm building in your swing then make that transition happen so that it looks and feels a natural part of your swing.

In just a few minutes you will start to build confidence. The Chalk-line provides a type of after image that continually affirms the true rolling line into the hole, so there's no guesswork and no doubts! Now I want you become conscious of the position of the club head as you Release ball along the line. This is where the Zen Eye becomes a neat device through which you can sight the Chalk-Line while the red alignment markings on the club head help you to confirm the face back to rear of the putter are also square at this point.

Putting is not only concerned with getting the ball to roll along the target line or Path, we can use this simple yet effective system to construct the other equally important element of our stroke; namely Pace. Because the Release action takes out the all the sensations of striking the ball you are now free to gain the purest sensation of the putter head moving at the same pace as the ball and so start to feel the correct swing weight required to project the ball along the line at the appropriate pace for each of the set distances. Imagine the process is akin to a clock spring. The length and energy of the swing combine to create the correct power required for each set distance.

Moving away from the hole to each 18" station, start the drill I have outlined remembering to use the Reflex to sense rhythm and the Release action to gauge the correct tempo that effectively imprints the sense of Pace into our stroke. The two forces work together in balance to create one simple and repeatable stroke action.

So far we have used the Zen "Non Striking" action to sharpen our senses and provide all the feel and response to our accelerated learning programme. Now we will introduce the Zen Tracer action to this routine and enable us to "bridge" the senses of Release and Impact into one fluid swing motion.

The Tracer routine comes into effect from close range. It's designed to synchronise the correct swing path and the alignment of the putter head through impact. Imagine that a triangle exists between the ball, the hole and our eyes. This forms the principal data by which we take up our aim. But, the closer we get to the hole, the more the angles affect our perception of the target and how our subconscious abilities enable us to make the necessary adjustments to our approach to the shot.

Zen Tracer also confirms that our whole stance and set-up is perfect. In mastering Tracer you now start to gain the information required to tackle these tricky angles. And, in so doing, build massive subconscious ability you can rely on to perform these shots under pressure.

A Warning: Tracer is not easy. And, the conditions need to be perfect too. The green (or carpet) must be smooth, fast rolling and flat for you to get the maximum benefit from this dynamic drill.

Set-up the ball stations as before, but this time we need three balls at each of the stations to the 9 foot distance. As with all the other Zen Oracle routines it works by first establishing a strong foundation that is based on sound swing mechanics and the correct Release "method".

With my technique, I want you to first master Path & Pace; getting to know that sensation of your swing working naturally in your stance and stance, Again, working from the first station, run off the Reflex & Release routine to feel for the right Pace, then at the same station use the two remaining balls to successfully carry-off the Tracer drill.

Zen Tracer enables us to effectively "map" the club alignment and correct swing path; providing perfect synchronisation of these two vital components. Above all, you will gain a unique training regime that ensures you are BOLD and courageous in your stroke, removing all doubt, and with it, the urge so many of us have to let-up on the shot, jab or decelerate the club head at this range.

Eye to Eye….Yes, you've also spotted something else…Your ability to carry off this sequence means that your eyes are automatically set plumb centre over the ball and target line! An important foundation to a rock-steady putting routine is our ability to set-up our strokes with a procedure that is reliable, repeatable and above all true. Another is to construct a technique that transcends our expectations; driving us to a point past the finish line. Consistent with all ideal practice regimes, repeat this sequence; building up from the sound base of Reflex and Releasing the ball with a smooth accelerating stroke that sees the putter head finishing held up beyond the hitting zone with the Zen Eye splitting the Chalk-Line. And, of course, we get to "feel and rehearse" the all important action required to get the ball rolling off the face instantly!

There's a saying in this world…"It's not what you know, but what you DO with what you know". The principles I have outlined using the Zen Oracle in conjunction with the Chalk-Line are deliberately simple in concept, but they build into a very powerful and reliable putting system that you can trust. The same is true with Zen Oracle…"It's not the hole, but it's what you do with the Hole"

Zen Oracle has worked for us...I trust it will work for you!

To find out more about the Graham Walker Golf Academy call Graham direct on (0788) 7651787

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