sp0rtsfan86 Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I had an epiphany moment on a course in Las Vegas. I had played there a year ago but forgotten everything about the course other than the island green. But on one hole in particular I had a 12 footer. I don't know what happened, by I immediately saw the line stepping up to the putt. On another hole later on, there was a 8 footer and I sunk it with a dead perfect 2-3 ball right read. Mind you my partner couldn't sink a 3 footer and I all of the sudden was a green whisperer every few holes. Yet during the same round, there were times I struggled with even straight putts. I had no idea where the ball would break, even if the putt was closer to the hole and I watched the first putt go by the hole to it's current spot. What was interesting was on about 1 hole every 9 I had that moment of exactly knowing where to put the ball. On most of them I drained it. But why did it suddenly turn on and off? Why does some days the same putts look so different even if they're the same read? So it got me thinking: Have you ever been in the zone when reading putts where everything you read is perfect and it's just a matter of a good stroke? How do you get there? Does it ever happen on days you can't find your stroke? I just want to know if I'm alone or whether there's something I can do to become a more consistent in the zone putt reader. Driver: Epic Flash 12 Degree Wood: GBB 3 Wood Hybrid: Razr 4 hybriid stiff stock shaft. Irons: X2 Hot 4 iron (pro version) 5 iron - Gap Wedge (non pro version). KBS 120g Shaft stiff cut 1/2 inch bent 1°upright Wedges: 52° 56° and 60°. All grips are Golf pride grips midsized Putter (lefty): Odyssey Metal-X #8 34", stock shaft bent 2° Superstroke grip Golf Balls: 2018-9 Pro-V1x and Prov1s Shoes: Dryjoy tours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny B Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 It happens to me all the time. It seems that I read and putt better on days when I can't hit my driver or approach shots very well. Maybe it's because I am so focused on trying to save the round with my putting. I usually putt pretty well... But there will be days when I putt and can't believe that it broke one way or the other; speed is off; I just have to laugh. I love the zone feel. There is nothing quite like it when you can read a putt, put a good stroke on it, and watch hit the middle of the cup. However just like the pros, it comes and goes. Why? Don't have a clue. “We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoverRick Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I read a book and wrote about it here called Instinct Putting. You can click the link and read that thread here. But it is simple. I stand behind the ball, and simply see the line, then get over the ball and focus on speed and starting it on the line I saw. I admit that I have a lot of trouble if the greens are slow and not breaking like normal, but still, I very rarely 3 putt compared to others. I did last weekend, but conditions were not good. Anyone who watched the Valero where Martin Kaymer and others were shooting 84's and worse can forgive me for three putting. My problem is when someone asks me to help reading a putt. Until very recently I could not tell you it will break 4 1/2". It was strictly by feel. G430LST 10.5° on T P T POWER 18 Hi Driver G430MAX 3w on T P T POWER 18 Hi Fairway G425 3H on T P T POWER 18 Hi Hybrid P790 Black 4-A on TGI 80S ES21 54-8° & 58-12° on Hi Rev DF2.1 on White ProV1 Precision Pro NX7 Pro All Iron grips are BestGrips Micro-Perforated Mid Driver, 3w, 3H are JumboMax JMX UltraLite XS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoverRick Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 And focus on the distance. You three putt because you are 5-6 feet short or long, not because you missed the line by 5-6 feet. I look at the hole when I putt, and on long putts I want to stop the ball just past the hole. On putts less than 4' I want to hit the ball firm to the back of the hole no break. That is where the short ones are missed. People are timid and afraid to go past the hole, so the try to finesse a 3'er in with a little break. Most often, if they were to hit it firm to the center of the cup, there would make it. But playing the edge inside 3-4' relies on perfect execution. G430LST 10.5° on T P T POWER 18 Hi Driver G430MAX 3w on T P T POWER 18 Hi Fairway G425 3H on T P T POWER 18 Hi Hybrid P790 Black 4-A on TGI 80S ES21 54-8° & 58-12° on Hi Rev DF2.1 on White ProV1 Precision Pro NX7 Pro All Iron grips are BestGrips Micro-Perforated Mid Driver, 3w, 3H are JumboMax JMX UltraLite XS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revkev Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 And focus on the distance. You three putt because you are 5-6 feet short or long, not because you missed the line by 5-6 feet. I look at the hole when I putt, and on long putts I want to stop the ball just past the hole. On putts less than 4' I want to hit the ball firm to the back of the hole no break. That is where the short ones are missed. People are timid and afraid to go past the hole, so the try to finesse a 3'er in with a little break. Most often, if they were to hit it firm to the center of the cup, there would make it. But playing the edge inside 3-4' relies on perfect execution. Great advice! Taylor Made Stealth 2 10.5 Diamana S plus 60 Aldila R flex - 42.25 inches SMT 4 wood bassara R flex, four wood head, 3 wood shaft Ping G410 7, 9 wood Alta 65 R flex Srixon ZX5 MK II 5-GW - UST recoil Dart 65 R flex India 52,56 (60 pending) UST recoil 75's R flex Evon roll ER 5 32 inches It's our offseason so auditioning candidates - looking for that right mix of low spin long, more spin around the greens - TBD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sp0rtsfan86 Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share Posted April 1, 2015 And focus on the distance. You three putt because you are 5-6 feet short or long, not because you missed the line by 5-6 feet. I look at the hole when I putt, and on long putts I want to stop the ball just past the hole. On putts less than 4' I want to hit the ball firm to the back of the hole no break. That is where the short ones are missed. People are timid and afraid to go past the hole, so the try to finesse a 3'er in with a little break. Most often, if they were to hit it firm to the center of the cup, there would make it. But playing the edge inside 3-4' relies on perfect execution. Speed is what was killing me. I played in Las Vegas which were quick greens, but here in Yuma, they run slow as molasses. I played 36 holes i the last two days at different courses, and you can really screw yourself up if they are totally different speeds. By the time I got used to the green speeds, my round was almost over. Driver: Epic Flash 12 Degree Wood: GBB 3 Wood Hybrid: Razr 4 hybriid stiff stock shaft. Irons: X2 Hot 4 iron (pro version) 5 iron - Gap Wedge (non pro version). KBS 120g Shaft stiff cut 1/2 inch bent 1°upright Wedges: 52° 56° and 60°. All grips are Golf pride grips midsized Putter (lefty): Odyssey Metal-X #8 34", stock shaft bent 2° Superstroke grip Golf Balls: 2018-9 Pro-V1x and Prov1s Shoes: Dryjoy tours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kor.A.Door Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Can't do that here, we get 3'ers that break 6-8 inches, and If you miss you are going to have 4-5 feet coming back, with these fast Bermuda greens you have to be careful, bangin a 4 footer straight at the hole will get you more 3 Putts than you can imagine. I think more often than not it comes down to making a good stroke and not giving up on the putt with the follow through. Lefties are always in their Right Mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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