Jim Suttie on golf: What's important at the Masters?

Watch the Masters golf tournament this week. One thing that is quite noticeable is how far the pros hit their driver. In 1970, the longest driver on the PGA Tour was about 270 yards. Now it seems everybody is hitting it over 300 yards.

Dustin Johnson is first with an average drive of 316 yards. He is also first in greens in regulation, and 10th in scoring average.(69.64) But, he is 139th in driving accuracy with a 58.5 percent average. This would point to the importance of power and not accuracy. This is especially true when we discover that Dustin Johnson is only 29th in putting.

Jim Suttie on golf: Play golf, not golf swing

Yes, the game has become a power game. The guys are trying to hit it as far as they can and hope that they can hit it over the trouble. Even though Augusta National has been lengthened to 7,435 yards. Even though this is much longer than it used to be, the pros will still be trying to overpower the course.

The iron game is very important, but the most important  part of Augusta  National is the putting game. The greens are super-slick and will probably be around 14 on the Stimpmeter by Sunday. Combine this with the big breaks, and you will definitely say that the best putter will win the Masters.

So what are some good tips for putting on those slick Augusta National greens?  First of all, I would say that the golfer who reads the greens the best and has the proper speed will make the most putts. Great putters are great visualizers. They see a curved white or yellow line going in the hole. It is probably better to play too much break at Augusta than too little break. For this reason, the players who have slow strokes with great tempos will probably do the best.

Jim Suttie on golf: Becoming a more consistent ball-striker

When you are putting it is probably a good idea to count to yourself. Count 1 and 2 on the backswing and 3 on the forward swing. If this is hard for you to do, find a metronome and set it next to your ball. Set the speed for "slow" and eliminate all the "hit" in your putt. Long, slow strokes with little or no wrist action will do best at Augusta. You can apply this to yourself at your own course by simply trying to rock your shoulders and eliminate as much hand action as possible. This is called a pendulum stroke, and is the only putting technique that can win at Augusta National.

And finally, stay very steady when you putt. No head motion and no knee or lower body motion. Do this and your playing partner will be smiling and will again ask you to play with him another time.

Dr. Jim Suttie, 2000 National PGA Teacher of the Year, rated in the Top 20 Teachers in the U.S. by Golf Digest, and Top 100 Teachers in America by Golf Magazine. Academy at TwinEagles Golf Club. Lessons open to the public. Call 800-765-3838.