Any golf swing training should include an extensive session of putting. Think about it, you've done the job in getting the ball to the green and all that's left to do is putt it into the hole. Easier said than done!

Putting is like the home straight is to horse racing; it's where the winning run is made and if you don't work on your putting, then all the work you've done to get to the green is in vane.

Ball Deviation

The problem with most putting woes is golfers simply can't hit the ball in a straight line to the hole. Sure, there are occasions when you have to allow for a little deviation but you'll get more opportunity to putt in a straight line than a deviating one.

It's simply a matter of making sure you you hit the ball flush or square with the face of the club. Putting is such that we're told not to grip the club to tightly during our shot.

Many players take this to the extremes and relax their grip too much with the result being they lose control of the putt even before it makes contact with the ball. When they hit the ball, it will either go left or right depending on whether the club face opens or closes.

Make The Cup

This is a golf swing training exercise you can practice at home or even at the office:

1. Make sure you are on a smooth surface. Carpet or hard floor is okay.

2. Place a cup at one end of the room or passageway. Your aim will be to hit the ball into the cup. For now though, you'll be concentrating on making correct impact with the ball.

3. Grab a thick rounded pen or ideally, if your wife is not around, her lipstick pencil.

4. Place it on the floor and imagine this is your ball.

5. Then try putting the object into the cup. The object will be pointed in a straight line towards the cup. You'll be hitting one end with the square face of your club.

6. Keep doing this until the object travels in a straight line towards the cup.

Making The Ball Run Straight Off The Club

The aim of this golf swing training is to get you hitting the intended object with the square face of your club. You'll be surprised how long it will take you to master this. Making it go straight once is no time to celebrate.

It's a good idea to compete against yourself. Try it in twenty putt blocks and aim to make the object run straight at least 90% of the time. Once you've done this, you can be reasonably confident your golf swing training will start to pay you dividends on a true putting green.