A few tips to improve both your long game and your putting

"Drive for show and putt for dough."

This is an old saying, but with a new twist in today's game. Players are more physically fit which allows them to swing faster. Couple that with all the technology in the equipment and players can drive the ball longer than ever.

Imagine if you could drive it long and straight, avoid three putts and even make a few during your round! That should lead to some pretty good scores. Here are a few tips to improve both your long game and your putting:

Driving the ball requires great mechanics with your swing to bring the longest club in the bag back to square at impact while creating the most swing speed with any club in your bag. Being a fraction off from square at impact could lead to some big misses.

Driving Drill - start swinging the driver slowly (40-60% effort) both on the backswing and the forward swing to feel how the body, arms and hands all work together to move the club around the body.

Pay attention to how the club returns through the hitting area to ensure proper arm and hand rotation to produce a square clubface. Gradually increase the swing speed to 70 percent then 80 percent then 90 percent as fast as you can without losing balance. You will find an optimal swing speed to start hitting balls. Remember, long and straight is the key!

Putting is the final element to finish a hole and post a score. Too many three putts and your score will escalate quickly. Here are two keys to better putting.

• Square Impact Drill - use alignment sticks placed parallel to each other from 5-10 feet from the cup in a level area. The sticks should be a little wider than the width of your putter to allow for a slight arch during the stroke. Place three balls between the sticks (front, middle & back) and putt each ball toward the cup. If your putter is square at impact, each ball will roll straight through the sticks without hitting them like bumpers. Even try putting with just one hand attached to see how each works independently to move back and through and square at impact.

• Speed Drill - on a practice putting green with multiple hole locations, pick a spot to putt from to access at least 5 holes. Use one ball to putt to each hole from your designated spot. Finish putting with each ball until holed. Once you have finished, find a new spot on the green and go through the drill again. You should be able to do the drill from 4 different starting points for each set to experience different distances and green slopes. The practice will challenge you to read the green, judge the speed and make a confident stroke with each ball. Your goal is to go through each set without any 3 putts. One ball with one attempt to each hole is just like your challenge on the course. Within a few practice sessions, you will begin to putt better.

• David Hannon is a teaching pro at White Pines in Bensenville. Contact him at dbhpga@gmail.com