For those of you accustomed to Matt Campbell penning these articles for many years, rest assured, he has not disappeared. Matt is still as active as ever in the golf business as manager of Mount Si Golf Course.

However, as demands on his time have increased, he has decided to share writing duties with the professional teaching staff at Mount Si Golf Course.

I would like to personally thank Matt for the opportunity for me to share with you some tips, thoughts and stories, and perhaps even a little humor about golf. If you have comments or suggestions, contact me by e-mail at john@mtsigolf.com. Now, let’s improve your putting.

In order to improve, practice sessions need to have structure and purpose. The following exercise will help keep your putting practice session on task. Your goal is to make the following:

• 10 three-foot putts

• Eight six-foot putts

• Five 10-foot putts

• Two 20-foot putts

• One 50-foot putt

There are only a couple ground rules to remember. First, only one ball can be used. Go back to the same spot if you like, but you can’t just keep dragging another ball into play. The idea is to think about each putt. Restart your routine, line it up and… What? You don’t have a routine? Well, that could be some of your problem. Now would be a good time to start developing one. But, that’s another article.

Second, no putting out. If you miss the first putt, go get the ball and try again. This is a very important psychological point. You are trying to practice making putts—you are not trying to practice three-putting. I want you to keep your focus on making the first putt. It is the only one that matters in this exercise.

It doesn’t matter how many attempts it takes, or what order. If you have difficulty completing one level, try another one for awhile, then go back where you left off.  Once you complete all levels, you are done with putting for the day. Move on to another part of your game.

• John Sanford is part of the teaching staff at Mount Si Golf Course in Snoqualmie.