PUTT-PUTT PRIMER

Even if you don’t play miniature golf regularly and are a confirmed athletic klutz, you can increase your chances of beating your friends. Here are some tips from the players in the Dean

De Graff Invitational miniature golf tournament:

Have your own putter. Use it all the time. The players in the De Graff Invitational say that nobody ever wins with putters provided by the course. Besides, it is a great psychological ploy.

Never be the lead-off player. Watch what the others do. “What not to do is more important than what to do,” Howard Robinson said.

Think before you hit. “Miniature golf is like billiards. It is simple on the surface but difficult in execution,” Robinson says.

Relax. A smooth stroke is better than trying to power the ball. Hitting the ball too hard is worse than hitting it too softly (see below).

Never hit the ball past the hole. It is better to leave the ball a little short, according to a consensus of players, because it’s hard to come back on a hole.

Concentrate. As in any sport, you have to block everything out when you are playing. It’s just harder when distractions include freeway traffic, low-flying airplanes and squealing children.

Make friendly conversation with your playing partners while they are putting. It makes it harder for them to concentrate.

Do not expect to win if Jack Nicklaus shows up, but use these tips and you might keep it close.