Putting outside the mainstream?

[gaussman1]

I'm starting to think that no matter how most wanted or highly rated a putter is, I am not going to putt well with it at the moment. I am going through a putting like sh** phase and I don't think just buying a new putter or practicing is going to do much good at the moment. I'm looking for a wholesale change and hopefully a brain reset. Longer than standard and counterbalanced seems like the easiest transition to try to get some rhythm and flow back into my stroke but I want to hear from those of you who have really jumped into the deep end. Who has abandoned traditional putting altogether? I don't necessarily mean a claw or cross handed grip, unless you have gone really experimental with it, like claw with the lead hand, or left hand low and claw with the right. Stuff that makes your playing partner's wince and look away in shame. If you have a BioMech running up your forearm or are using a Bobby Grace Let's Face It I want to hear about it. Who has gone mad scientist in an effort to make a straight 3 footer?

[goaliewales14]

I was a hockey player for 20 years, so when I first started playing I gripped the putter like a hockey stick.  I had a counter balance grip so the grip was long enough to have split grip.  I basically would putt like I was hitting a slap shot in a way.  Granted not the full out swing, but with that mindset.  I do now use a claw grip.

[palvord]

As a lefty, I switched to right hand low, but it is in a claw style grip with my left hand gripping at the top of the grip. I basically am putting one handed with my left hand and my right hand is there to make sure I don't twist as I come through the ball. Been doing pretty well the last 3 weeks compared to the standard putting grip I was using before

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[RoverRick]

 Who has abandoned traditional putting altogether?

 

I changed my putting method back around 2009 or so. I started looking at the hole rather than looking at the ball. Initially it was on long putts in practice focusing just on the speed not the line. Jordan Spieth turned pro in 2012 so it is not as obscure as it was then.

 

The amazing thing was that suddenly I started making many more long putts. So I began to do it on all putts. In 2012, through my association with this site, I came across a book called Instinct Putting. This book pretty much explained what I was doing.

 

https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/6196-instinct-putting/?hl=%2Binstinct+%2Bputting

 

This is the thread I wrote at the time.

 

I still use this method and the key to me is that I focus only on the line, allow my subconscious to pick the line. I only aim at a spot on the hole where the ball will need to go in based on the slope. I do not think about the stroke at all. I may have a my hands apart on one putt and overlapped or interlocked on the next. It  may be a quick tap on the ball, or a long flowing stroke. I don't even know.

 

I only think about how hard to hit the ball for it to go into the hole.

[Wedgie]

I changed my putting method back around 2009 or so. I started looking at the hole rather than looking at the ball. Initially it was on long putts in practice focusing just on the speed not the line. Jordan Spieth turned pro in 2012 so it is not as obscure as it was then.

 

The amazing thing was that suddenly I started making many more long putts. So I began to do it on all putts. In 2012, through my association with this site, I came across a book called Instinct Putting. This book pretty much explained what I was doing.

 

https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/6196-instinct-putting/?hl=%2Binstinct+%2Bputting

 

This is the thread I wrote at the time.

 

I still use this method and the key to me is that I focus only on the line, allow my subconscious to pick the line. I only aim at a spot on the hole where the ball will need to go in based on the slope. I do not think about the stroke at all. I may have a my hands apart on one putt and overlapped or interlocked on the next. It may be a quick tap on the ball, or a long flowing stroke. I don't even know.

 

I only think about how hard to hit the ball for it to go into the hole.

I look at the hole when I putt and have found that I am much more effective this way. Started hitting some bombs and rarely miss anything under 5 feet. 3 putts are very rare and you're right, it is all instinct taking over the stroke.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

[RoverRick]

I look at the hole when I putt and have found that I am much more effective this way. Started hitting some bombs and rarely miss anything under 5 feet. 3 putts are very rare and you're right, it is all instinct taking over the stroke.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

 

And you have to learn to keep your mouth shut. Not long after I started this I hit a long putt, 30-40 feet that consciously I thought would break maybe 4-5 feet. I hit the put and hit it and it started 10' to the right. I said, "Where you goin'?" and the stupid ball curved and fell in the hole.

 

No one noticed, but I was embarrassed because it made it seem like it was a total accident. After that I learned to stay quiet until it was in or passed the hole.

[Kenny B]

I changed my putting method back around 2009 or so. I started looking at the hole rather than looking at the ball. Initially it was on long putts in practice focusing just on the speed not the line. Jordan Spieth turned pro in 2012 so it is not as obscure as it was then.

 

The amazing thing was that suddenly I started making many more long putts. So I began to do it on all putts. In 2012, through my association with this site, I came across a book called Instinct Putting. This book pretty much explained what I was doing.

 

https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/6196-instinct-putting/?hl=%2Binstinct+%2Bputting

 

This is the thread I wrote at the time.

 

I still use this method and the key to me is that I focus only on the line, allow my subconscious to pick the line. I only aim at a spot on the hole where the ball will need to go in based on the slope. I do not think about the stroke at all. I may have a my hands apart on one putt and overlapped or interlocked on the next. It  may be a quick tap on the ball, or a long flowing stroke. I don't even know.

 

I only think about how hard to hit the ball for it to go into the hole.

I also putt looking at the hole and have good success, especially with short putts.  I remember a few years ago Rick, that you were looking at the hole before Spieth made it a thing.  I had a hard time trusting it for long putts, but no more.  I find putting so much easier when I don't look at the ball and only focus on the speed after lining up my putt.  I actually tried to go back to "normal" putting looking at the ball and couldn't get the ball to the hole!!

 

Last year I went to the Ping Sigma G Doon counterbalanced mallet because of the heavier weight, and I couldn't be happier.  Ping had to custom make mine at 34".  

 

Every day before I play and each day that I practice, I find a flat, straight putt on the putting green, place two balls 3 feet from the cup, and stroke them with only my trail hand.  I have to make both balls four times in a row; if not, start over.  When I do that, I feel confident that I am putting with a straight putter face, and I will have a better putting day.

[RickyBobby_PR]

Find an instructor and get a lesson followed by a fitting

[gaussman1]

.

Oh gosh, where to begin.

It seemed like forever I was that guy, that wasn't on TV on Sunday, that was the best putter you knew. All but stuff of legend. I made everything, from back when I was a kid, into adulthood, up until about 15 years ago - and as I was standing over an essentially straight, slightly uphill, 15-footer, for a whole bunch of skins.... I drew back the putter, and yanked it 6 feet left of the hole.

I stood there stunned, my playing partners stood there stunned.

One of them remarked that I missed it on purpose.

As I played out the round my stroke didn't get any better.

Not only wasn't I making any 15-footers, I found I was missing 3-5 footers too.

And later the more I practiced the more I got worse.

I couldn't even scare a cup, and if I made a putt it was only because I missed it or just got lucky.

 

I tried a long putter and a belly putter, while they were still legal - hated 'em - claw grip, left hand low, between my legs (yup), left-handed, different putters, you name it - and all but came to the understanding I was going to suck at putting the rest of my life for making all those putts when I was younger. ... The Golf Gods were paying me back.

 

And then one day when I was trying to get in some practice my back started bugging me, and while I'd always preferred 34" putters (really getting my eyes over the ball), I went to the proshop and borrowed the longest one they had, a 36" model and immediately the pain subsided. And not being able to take my normal stance or standard overlap grip, I kind of fashioned a modified claw grip. ... And suddenly I was actually scaring the hole - on purpose.

Since the oversized putter grips have become all the rage I've found they helped, especially gripping the club with my right hand, and a flat face on the grip also helps - in addition to counter-balancing, which gives me the feeling of weight in my hands to help calm them, in addition to counter-acting some of the weight in the clubhead.

Did I mention I've gone to the larger, heavier, high-MOI type models? (tech is a good thing)

 

And finally, instead of over-analyzing putts, trying to read the break from four sides - I've gone back old-school, and back to basic plumb-bobbing. ... I figure out my intended line, line up the line on my ball to my target spot (5' or so down the line), walk up to the ball, take a couple of practice strokes looking at the hole to help feel out the pace, line up the line on the putter to the one on the ball, and give it a go. ... K.I.S.S.

 

And finally, my modified claw grip > as you can see in the below pick I'm not just placing my fingers flat across the top of the grip, but instead allowing my index finger to curl around it and letting my pinky curl underneatht it - but still maintaining the idea of the claw-style grip, in that the back of my hand swings up and down the swing path while remaining flat to it. ... My left hand grabbing the club normally.

 

Am I making everything? No. But I damned sure ain't scared of 3-5 footers anymore (hope I haven't jinxed myself).

 

(pics - kinda hard to hold the club in my right hand and take pics at the same time, but I hope they help)

Seems like the purpose behind any claw type grip is to take the trail wrist out of a position where it can hinge back and forth. Your version puts it sort of parallel to the ground instead of perpendicular but looks like it accomplished the same thing. Well done!

Did you ever try arm lock or face on putting? I see very few arm lock players even though the guys doing it are all better putters than with the short stick

[gaussman1]

I also putt looking at the hole and have good success, especially with short putts. I remember a few years ago Rick, that you were looking at the hole before Spieth made it a thing. I had a hard time trusting it for long putts, but no more. I find putting so much easier when I don't look at the ball and only focus on the speed after lining up my putt. I actually tried to go back to "normal" putting looking at the ball and couldn't get the ball to the hole!!

 

Last year I went to the Ping Sigma G Doon counterbalanced mallet because of the heavier weight, and I couldn't be happier. Ping had to custom make mine at 34".

 

Every day before I play and each day that I practice, I find a flat, straight putt on the putting green, place two balls 3 feet from the cup, and stroke them with only my trail hand. I have to make both balls four times in a row; if not, start over. When I do that, I feel confident that I am putting with a straight putter face, and I will have a better putting day.

That's what I just picked up but in a 38" model. I'm not looking for greatness out of it, but hopefully some degree of reliability

[gaussman1]

Find an instructor and get a lesson followed by a fitting

Take that to another thread Ricky. This one's for those of us who have already given up on that solution 🤣

[DPattGolf]

My buddy who plays on some mini tours has occasionally gone to a grip when he is struggling to control the putter face that we call double underneath (It has a few other names but I will just let everything guess what those are). With both palms on the backside of the grip, it does a fantastic job of removing unneeded wrist action and providing a good sensation of where the club face is pointing at impact 

[Kenny B]

That's what I just picked up but in a 38" model. I'm not looking for greatness out of it, but hopefully some degree of reliability

My previous putter was 31" so going to a 34" was as long as I could stand.  When I ordered it, I got a call from Ping to make sure that it was the correct length.  When I first got it, I was surprised that it had a "ping" sound when I struck the ball... sometimes.  Not sure why it did it sometimes and not other times.  The ball came off the face the same, or at least I thought so, and the results were good.  I've gotten used to it, and love it!!

[gaussman1]

My buddy who plays on some mini tours has occasionally gone to a grip when he is struggling to control the putter face that we call double underneath (It has a few other names but I will just let everything guess what those are). With both palms on the backside of the grip, it does a fantastic job of removing unneeded wrist action and providing a good sensation of where the club face is pointing at impact

So palms facing the sky? That would seem tough from long range

[DPattGolf]

So palms facing the sky? That would seem tough from long range

Essentially yes. I have done it some and never had issues from long distance. Power just gets generated by your personal choice/combination of shoulders, chest, arms, stroke length and tempo instead of wrists. Its at least worth messing around with on the practice green. I have also done a variation of this grip but only with my left hand in a reverse grip setup.

[RoverRick]

... hopefully a brain reset....

 

That is exactly what Instinct Putting is about. It changes the mind set from THE STROKE, which is what all this Claw Grip and Counterbalanced Putter and everything else is about puts the emphasis on THE HOLE.

 

The only real difference the putter itself makes is the confidence, or lack there of, it gives you when you pull it out of the bag. When I pull my putter out of the bag, I think, "I'm going to break their freaking hearts and sink this putt."

 

My putter itself is an Oil Can finish Scotty Cameron Big Sur that began life as a broomstick putter. I liked the way the ball felt coming off of it, so I bought a new shaft milled out a different lie angle in the top, and then cut the shaft to 35", then installed a Best Grip leather grip that matched the finish. I love the looks of it and having something that I like gives me a psychological boost when I look at it.

[gaussman1]

That is exactly what Instinct Putting is about. It changes the mind set from THE STROKE, which is what all this Claw Grip and Counterbalanced Putter and everything else is about puts the emphasis on THE HOLE.

 

The only real difference the putter itself makes is the confidence, or lack there of, it gives you when you pull it out of the bag. When I pull my putter out of the bag, I think, "I'm going to break their freaking hearts and sink this putt."

 

My putter itself is an Oil Can finish Scotty Cameron Big Sur that began life as a broomstick putter. I liked the way the ball felt coming off of it, so I bought a new shaft milled out a different lie angle in the top, and then cut the shaft to 35", then installed a Best Grip leather grip that matched the finish. I love the looks of it and having something that I like gives me a psychological boost when I look at it.

I find as I get older that there are days where my eyes just aren't working very well. I can't really tell where it's pointed so then I can't tell if I made a good stroke or not because the ball isn't starting where I think I'm aiming. Not looking at the ball would certainly alleviate some of that anxiety

[Fairway Ray]

I guess you can say that I putt outside the mainstream. I putt one-handed. I find my "feel" is much better using one hand than two. When I use two hands, too many things can go wrong. One hand is much more natural to me.

 I'm pretty good at it too. I normally golf as a single, so I get paired up all the time. The people I meet are usually shaking their heads by the end of the round. Many say they are going to try putting one-handed too. LOL!

[RoverRick]

I find as I get older that there are days where my eyes just aren't working very well. I can't really tell where it's pointed so then I can't tell if I made a good stroke or not because the ball isn't starting where I think I'm aiming. Not looking at the ball would certainly alleviate some of that anxiety

 

Not looking at the ball changes the focus entirely. You are focusing on the target and hopefully developing touch for the speed. The speed is more important than the line. (Wait a minute!)

 

I say that because you read the putt perfectly, and miss the speed and it will not go in. Leaving it 5' short make is a lot easier to three putt, However, if you miss the read, but get the speed right, it might go in, but even if it doesn't go in, you  will not likely miss by 5 feet. You should end up in tap in range.

 

When you throw a wad of paper at the trash can, you do not look at your hand to determine if you release the paper o time. You look at the target or trash can.

[RoverRick]

My putter itself is an Oil Can finish Scotty Cameron Big Sur that began life as a broomstick putter. I liked the way the ball felt coming off of it, so I bought a new shaft milled out a different lie angle in the top, and then cut the shaft to 35", then installed a Best Grip leather grip that matched the finish. I love the looks of it and having something that I like gives me a psychological boost when I look at it.

 

Not that it matters, but in the interest of full disclosure, I have been gaming my Scotty Cameron Studio Style Newport 1.5 the past couple of weeks. I do not like the feel of this compared to the softer feeling Big Sur but it has a bit more pop on slow bumpy greens.  

 

I typically switch back and forth between them based on green conditions. I have fallen in love with the 2018 Newport 2 putter and have one on the way, so I may retire these two putters.

[BIG STU]

I have been an instinct putter. Rick and myself have discussed that a lot over the years on here and we do agree on the instinct putting thing. My method is a little different from his. I do not do the look at the hole thing. I get over the ball and I have already figured my break and speed. I take 4 or 5 peeks at the hole focus on the ball stay down and watch the putter hit the ball all the way through. On short putts the best piece of advice I ever heard was from Annika S she stated on short putts that she stays down and listens for the ball to fall into the cup.

 

Now I have been through my stages of not putting well. Part of it was in my head. I used a broomstick Ping for a little while but with my game I try to get the putter in my hand anytime I can. The broomstick did not work well for me off the green. I went through the claw grip thing for a while too. One thing that does happen as we age our sight and perception changes. I have to work a little harder practicing on my general body alignment.

 

I think most on here know I work for a metal recycling company and find a lot of clubs. A few months ago I found an old PGA Tommy Armour Ironmaster putter. It had been bent in the hosel presumedly in the pile. I eyeball straightened it and liked the way it sat for me. I took it out in the previously mentioned in another post in the "all junkpile set" putted the lights out with it. That thing has great feel for me. Yesterday I played with fellow MGSer John Smalls and this young man joined us. He turned out to be a great guy and good player. He was putting with a new Scotty. He wanted to try my old putter on #17. He had never putted with anything like it. He loved the feel. I see me setting up one of my old Ironmasters or 8802 style putters in the future for him

 

In a nutshell for me it is all about feel and instinct. I will say to everyone you have to have a grip with your hands how ever you do it that is comfortable to you. The grip on the club itself whether it be a SS or whatever has to feel comfortable to you too. Your methods of execution has to fit you too. All those combined creates a tension free grip and creates a good stroke. Anytime you can get a tension free grip that creates a good stroke and the results with a little tweaking will result in confidence 

[Kor.A.Door]

Tension in the grip, that's it. That's what I am struggling with. That's why everything is short all the time. My line is good, but I'm always short. A-ha. Now that I know the issue I can fix it.