Instruction blog: Align forearms with the putter

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Y.E. Yang combined 300-yard drives with a deft putting touch.

South Korea completed a trifecta this weekend with Y.E. Yang winning The Honda Classic on the PGA TOUR, Jiyai Shin winning the HSBC Women's Championship on the LPGA TOUR and Korea defeated Japan in the much-anticipated World Baseball Classic.

Listen to Travis Fulton

PGA TOUR Golf Academy's Travis Fulton breaks down the keys to Y.E. Yang's win on the PGA TOUR Network (XM 146, SIRIUS 209). Click to listen

On Sunday, Y.E Yang joined fellow countryman K.J. Choi as the only winner from South Korea on the PGA TOUR. The 37-year-old Yang used the familiar recipe of the long ball off the tee, lots of greens in regulation and solid putting to win his first PGA TOUR event and eighth worldwide as a professional.

Even with some shaky nerves on Sunday during the famous Bear Trap stretch of 15, 16 and 17 at PGA National, the South Korean was very impressive. Yang finished the week ranked 13th in Driving Distance at 299.8 yards, tied for third Greens in Regulation at 72.2 percent and tied for 26th at 28.8 Putts per Round. With the win, Yang earned a two-year PGA TOUR exemption, a spot in THE PLAYERS Championship, and will likely get to play in the FedExCup Playoffs.

What Can We Learn
After watching Y.E. Yang on Sunday, I think there are a lot of things we can all learn. First, I was very impressed by his composure. It's not every tournament you see the 54-hole leader come out and stretch the lead and showing no signs of letting up.

On Sunday, Yang arrived with an aggressive mindset, trying to make birdies and not letting any bad shots get in his way. Before the round, Yang made references that there was going to be some "imperfections" during the round. With a few loose shots here and there, Yang stayed committed and survived the "Bear Trap" in the end.

We have all been in a similar situation where things are going very well with just a few holes left in a career round. All of the sudden, our mindset changes, and we begin to play differently. We often become very tentative and play to not lose, rather than to win. On Sunday, I thought Yang came out and was playing to win. He continued to do the same things that got him in position to win the tournament. This is not an easy task, but one I think we can all learn from Yang.

In addition to Yang's solid mental game, I was very impressed with the putting of the South Korean. Like Choi, Yang showed great touch with his putting stroke all week. Yang's uninterrupted and instinctive motion led to great distance control all week. Earlier in the year when Zach Johnson won the Sony Open, I discussed the importance of being instinctive when putting. Yang provided another good example this week, so let's break down a key component at address that will lead to better instincts on the greens.

A key component in putting is matching the angle of the forearms to the putter shaft at address. When viewed from the target line perspective, you will notice that most PGA TOUR players align their forearms in-line or parallel to the entire putter shaft, creating a single plane through the arms and shaft. This relationship will encourage the club to be gripped in the palms and allow the hands to remain quiet during the stroke. Here are three simple steps to grip the putter more in the palms:

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Yang two-putted from 50 feet to seal the win on Sunday.

1. Match the grip to the palm's lifeline of the lead hand.
2. Position the trail hand to the side of the grip (not on top) where the heel pad is pressed against the middle and/or ring fingers of the lead hand.
3. Both thumbs should be on top and sharing the grip.

In addition to the grip, the position of the elbows is also important when aligning the forearms to the putter shaft. Like Yang, your elbows should be slightly bent and rolled towards the body -- this will give you the feeling as if you palms are more towards the sky and not the ground. Your elbows should rest just to the side of the ribs so your hands can hang directly under the shoulder line.

At the TOUR Academies, we like to use the mirror to show this in-line relationship between the forearms and the putter shaft. Position the mirror on the target line so when you look to view your set-up, you can see if you are doing it right. If your forearms and putter shaft are on the same plane, you will not be able to see the club's butt end. If you can see the grip's butt end below or above the trailing forearm, then they don't match. Work the grip and elbows as defined above until you can't see the butt-end of the grip. This is a great checkpoint and a putting fundamental that helped Y.E. Yang win The Honda Classic.

Just Because
Spring is finally here in Florida, as temperatures have reached the low 80s. With a heavy winter still lingering in the north, my parents decided to come down from Idaho and take in some sun. This year, I decided to take them to our TOUR Academy on Hilton Head Island at the beautiful Palmetto Hall Plantation Club. After two days of great golf playing both the "Cupp" and "Hills" course -- we all agreed it was worth the trip.

This being my fifth trip to Hilton Head Island, I have gained much appreciation for all the great golf the island has to offer. With endless golf and some good dining, it is a great place to unwind. However, each trip to Hilton Head I always find myself getting frustrated when I drive at night. For those of you that have participated in this challenging endeavor; you know what I am talking about. With black asphalt and very light lines, no street lights and signs that are harder to read then the small novel that was advertised on Yang's shirt on Sunday -- I suggest you allow for some extra time when navigating the island. Seriously, driving in Hilton Head Island at night is almost as frustrating as trying to make a left-hand turn in New Jersey.

In just five trips, I have never seen more people slow down, lean up in their car seat, squint and try to read any sign that might give them a clue as to where they are going. As if driving while talking on the phone, sending a few text messages and eating all at the same time isn't enough. Nevertheless, be assured once you arrive at your destination on Hilton Head -- chances are it was worth the trouble.

Oh, and when you arrive, tell them T.A. Fulton sent you.