Re-dedicating my life to the art of putting

[Grasper Parsnip 23]

Aimpoint express is a sure fire way to improve any average golfers putting very quickly. 2 lessons with the teaching pro was enough for me to understand how to get a quick and legal read of any  green, anywhere for ever more. 

Then putting speed is all you need to worry about and that can be worked out via a stimpmeter reading or if you know your local course.

If you miss a putt on the high side break of the hole and get the speed of the putt correct then the ball gets closer to the hole as it dies out with speed.

Edited December 24, 2021 by Grasper Parsnip
spelling

[chisag 19,774]

... I would caution those that tie themselves to putting stats, especially putts made to pay more attention to their putts than the number of putts. All 6 footers are not always the same and all putts are obviously not equal. Straight up hill with a very gentle break should be made virtually every time as you can hit your putt just on the edge and know it will break into the hole, maybe 1" or maybe 3" but they will both fall. Downhill with that same gentle break is a little trickier because the downhill can take out break especially on Bermuda and a side hill with that break can also be very difficult. 

... I was playing with a high index player yesterday and he had a 20 foot putt that had to ride a tier and the pin was on the bottom of the slope. He said he would have to hit a perfect putt up the tier, almost die on the top of the slope and then turn to the hole. I asked if he would like some advice and he said sure. I told him to ignore the hole and aim about 1 foot underneath the hole on the low side and that would leave him an uphill 2-3 footer that he could make to save a bogie. He replied he didn't play for bogies when he could make pars. Well he hit a decent putt that almost stopped at the top of the tier then turned and ran 8 feet past the hole never getting within a foot of the hole. Extremely difficult putt! I hit a putt from the same spot but underneath the hole and it stopped 2.5 feet from the hole. He said "And that is why you shoot around par and I struggle to break 90. Seeing it actually executed instead of what I hoped for I realize I was a fool to try and make that putt. But to be honest I would never have thought to miss any putt on purpose by aiming away from the hole." 

... I would liken it to some days it seems like every shot is a good yardage and other days it seems every shot is between yardages. GIR's under those circumstances can be misleading. So I have always thought a much more reliable stat is how many putts did you miss? Keep track of how many makable short putts you missed and that can mean a straight in 6 footer that doesn't go in would be a miss, while a 4 foot hard breaking putt that doesn't go in is not a miss. Same for long distance. A 40 footer with a gradual break that leaves too long a next putt is not the same as coming over a hump to a downhill, double breaker that leaves too long a next putt. The first is a miss but the second putt a good try and should not be counted as a miss. 

[cnosil 26,073]

2 hours ago, labillyboy said:

Wow... if I had all that data running around my brain I don't think I could ever pull the trigger.

 

Your assumption is that there is lots of information running around in our heads when we are on the course.  When practicing technique and gaining understanding the information may be helpful.  When on the course, knowing that information really doesn't help you; however, understanding your stroke can help you rationalize why you missed a putt.  

People are wired differently and as a result learn and perform differently.   I would guess that you gather and process the same information being discussed,  you just do it differently 

[precision marker 7]

I try and keep it simple.  Is my putter face square? Do I feel relaxed?  Am I avoiding "grass lag"?  When I practice, my first priority is distance.  If I get the right distance from 20 feet, but my aim is off three feet I am better off that if my aim is good but my distance is 5 feet long or short. Of course I practice my aiming using a 3 reference point aiming method for putting.

[John Bachman 55]

First, I think finding a putter you’re comfortable with, whether by trial and error or being fit is key. I have dabbled with other putting strokes but traditional works for me. My problem isn’t stroke or distance control, it’s reading the line. Especially on new courses which is why I’m all for banning green books. There is definitely a skill involved. 

[TitleistMike 17]

I see putting in three segments and all three segments have to work together. Think of an immovable triangle which structurally cannot shift or fall apart.

The read - you have to see the break. My first look is a line at the hole. OK it breaks a foot. LOOK at a line adjusted by a foot , where does it go. Re adjust. On longer putts with break, It usually takes me three or four adjusted looks to see and feel the path of the ball along the line.

 

Speed - this is all feel. I warm up by placing balls 5, 10, 15 feet from hole. Closest ball stroke. Middle ball, then furthest ball. New hole, repeat at least twice. Then reverse, hit furthest ball first and move closer. I really don't care about the pure line. This is setting my feel for cut grain distance with obvious uphill downhill side hill choices.

 

The stroke - combine with speed feel. I've used a ruler, draw back two inches and hit 5 putts, where do they go.  Draw back 4 inches, where do 5 putts go....then 6 inches, then 9 and 12 inches. You now have a bracket and a distance range finder.

You HAVE to understand all of above before you even begin to worry about square arc toe this that or the other. Those stroke path elements will fall into place and become consistent over time.

My friends comment and complain. I am going to drop at least one 10-15-20 ft bomb per round. I am not likely to 3 putt.

[Ricey155 5]

great read and a must book mark, I need to make some in roads to being a better putter again and this is a thing of beauty. 

moved to arm lock putter grip and added 5" to my Odyssey, need to be more locked in (triangle) putting unlocked after weeks of practice gives me the same stroke.  need to invest in myself for 2022 and putting is much needed area. 

cheers for sharing  

[cnosil 26,073]

10 hours ago, TitleistMike said:

You HAVE to understand all of above before you even begin to worry about square arc toe this that or the other.

This statement is the only reason I disagree with your  post.   The reason is that while face determines direction, not being able to deliver the face and loft correctly will resulted in ball speed variations coming off the face.  These ball speed variations will result in inconsistent distance and direction using the same stroke length.    

All the pieces are interconnected and as a player you have to understand them all.   Once you understand them all speed is probably the most important as our dispersion pattern is typically longer than wider unless we are looking at putts that break severely.  

[Shapotomous 5,271]

@TitleistMike  Maybe I am not understanding correctly but I sort of combine your 2nd & 3rd into the speed category.  When practicing drills I am aware of the backstroke length and how that translates to distance.  And by doing this in drills I develop a feel for the length stroke necessary to hit a certain length putt.  On the course I am not watching the length of the backstroke but going by the developed feel.  But speed control is what I struggle with more than the read or direction so maybe I need to switch things up.....or more likely I need to practice more!  

[ChuckZ 236]

I do not spend much time tinkering with the grip.  I use the same grip that I use with all my clubs.  Has worked well for me.  Really work on my line and trusting it.  Am a plumb bobber and have been for years, it works for me and I trust it.  When warming up before a round work on distancing to get a feel for the greens for that course and that day.  Really helps ME.  Putting is a personal thing and you really have to find what works for you and trust it.  Cheers.    

[6 Million Dollar Man 21]

Not a bit of sarcasm here but I've found that you need to knock it closer to really improve putting. So I backtrack.  My course demands excellent wedge play but am I even going to be hitting wedges if I don’t hit fairways? 

 

So I go back to the driver.  Sounds crazy, doesn't it?  I did start using the Putt Out device and quickly learned about putting where I aim.  Now that needs work!

[Shapotomous 5,271]

1 hour ago, 6 Million Dollar Man said:

Not a bit of sarcasm here but I've found that you need to knock it closer to really improve putting. So I backtrack.  My course demands excellent wedge play but am I even going to be hitting wedges if I don’t hit fairways? 

 

So I go back to the driver.  Sounds crazy, doesn't it?  I did start using the Putt Out device and quickly learned about putting where I aim.  Now that needs work!

That was something Harvey Penick told Justin Leonard (i think) when he complained he wasn't making enough putts..... Hit it closer!  

[stuka44 453]

On 12/25/2021 at 8:30 PM, Shapotomous said:

I've found that you need to knock it closer to really improve putting.

Best advice in this 3 pages as far as I'm concerned!!!  This year in 44 rounds I've hit 33 % of GIR.  That equates to 12 chipping opportunities per round, to chip the ball to within 6 feet which is my, and likely almost everyones 50/50 make distance(Its actually 52/48 1 putt/ 2 putt at 6 feet).  For 7 and 8 footers combined I make @ 25 percent (28% 7' & 21% 8'). 

Thats why I regularly practice 4,5,6, 7 & 8 footers.  These mostly just require that I hit the ball straight(yes you get your severly sloped 4,5, and 6 foot, benders), but most of the time you just need to not push or pull that 5 footer.   I've practiced my stroke, and enough distance control on sub 8 foot putts( on my putting mat), where I've eliminated the worry of blowing a 6 footer, 7 feet past the hole, yes that was a worry at one point.

And as the quoted portion indicates.  After practicing my putting and improving my one putt percentage the last 30 rounds on sub 8 footers, I realized that with 12 opportunities a round to chip the ball, that improving my putting, HOWEVER I'm going to meausure it will be helped by chipping more of those 12 opportunities to within 7 feet of the hole, CLOSER THE BETTER!  

That's why weather permitting I practice twice as many chips, as I do putts.

 

[vandyland 497]

Well today was a reversion back to the mean on my putting. I knew it was coming and today I just didn't have it speed wise. My lines were fine but I was out of sorts on the front 9 of a course I haven't played in years. But no excuse, I didn't really adjust and I lost 2.5 strokes on the green today. Tough scene out there. Need to get the blast back out tonight as punishment.

[Haro 532]

This past few months I’m been working on my short putts   4-10 foot range   I was okay from long range but terrible from short range.  Missing the hole entirely or poor speed control and lipping out.   Last time playing on the course after practice out I was so confident with my short putts that it put less pressure on my chipping and long putting. 

[stuka44 453]

17 hours ago, Haro said:

This past few months I’m been working on my short putts   4-10 foot range   I was okay from long range but terrible from short range.  Missing the hole entirely or poor speed control and lipping out.   Last time playing on the course after practice out I was so confident with my short putts that it put less pressure on my chipping and long putting. 

Don't be too hard on yourself  when it comes to putting.  I did for a long time, and realized that television, and my own ignorance led me to believe that pros were making 60-70 % of 20 footers(so why can't I) they are not.  You are right on! Practice 10 feet and under, you can appreciably make more 5 footers you can't 20 footers, and hone in speed control to reduce 3 putting on everying over 10'.  Sure we're trying to make those 12-15 footers, but not 3 putting is a more important focus than making it.  Here is a chart I found.  Note Pro's 3 putt % at 29' !!

DISTANCE	ONE PUTT	TWO PUTT	THREE PUTTS-Plus	EXPECTED PUTTS AVG.
1 foot	100%	0.0%	0.0%	1.001
2 feet	99%	0.6%	0.1%	1.009
3 feet	95%	5%	0.2%	1.053
4 feet	86%	14%	0.2%	1.147
5 feet	75%	25%	0.3%	1.256
6 feet	65%	35%	0.3%	1.357
7 feet	56%	44%	0.4%	1.443
7 feet, 10 inches	50%	49%	0.5%	1.50
8 feet	49%	51%	0.5%	1.515
9 feet	43%	56%	0.6%	1.575
10 feet	38%	61%	0.7%	1.626
11 feet	34%	65%	0.8%	1.669
12 feet	30%	69%	0.9%	1.705
13 feet	27%	72%	1%	1.737
14 feet	25%	74%	1%	1.765
15 feet	22%	77%	!%	1.790
16 feet	20%	78%	1%	1.811
17 feet	19%	80%	2%	1.830
18 feet	17%	81%	2%	1.848
19 feet	16%	83%	2%	1.863
20 feet	14%	84%	2%	1.878
21 feet	13%	85%	2%	1.891
22 feet	12%	85%	3%	1.903
23 feet	11%	86%	3%	1.914
24 feet	11%	86%	3%	1.924
25 feet	10%	87%	3%	1.934
26 feet	9%	87%	4%	1.944
27 feet	9%	88%	4%	1.953
28 feet	8%	88%	4%	1.961
29 feet	8%	88%	5%	1.970
30 feet

Edited January 4 by stuka44

[Haro 532]

Most golfers  seem to focus on the swing rather than putting for lessons.  I was searching golf forums threads and there very little on putting   What there is players wanting help for making short putts!

Edited January 4 by Haro

[vandyland 497]

Tournament golf is hard. 

Played in a tournament this past weekend and it was 35 degrees and wet. Shot 86. Made an 8 on the first hole. 3 putted #1, #6 and #17. I would say that practice green was massively different to the actual course but I should have adjusted. I was obviously nervous but also just didn't really go through my process. The whole round felt like it went by in 10 minutes. Good experience. 

On the plus side, I was a bit freaked on the range at the start and switched my Cobra Speedzone weights to have the heavy weight in the back (higher launch, more spin, supposedly "more forgiving") and driving was one of the lone bright spots. My launch was considerably higher which was helpful with almost no roll out on the fairways and my squeeze cut was replaced with a soft draw. Everything else was rather horrendous though. 

[stuka44 453]

23 hours ago, vandyland said:

I would say that practice green was massively different to the actual course but I should have adjusted.

This is widespread in my view. 

 I have a good practice green at home and practice regularly on it.  I now purposely don't really practice putting on the practice green before a round, to judge speed and pace by hitting at target flags, believing I can apply what a 15 foot putt stroke  on the practice green, to the course.  It just never seems to be close to the actual green speeds, and just adds confusion to adjusting to the actual speeds, and distacne control I need putting on the actual greens.

I just practice my stroke hitting my two balls back and forth.  I rely on my experience, practice and the actual course to judge my distance, because the practice greens I play mostly are much quicker, or much slower than what the course is going to be, and just seems to slow my adjustment to the actual greens.  

[vandyland 497]

6 minutes ago, stuka44 said:

It just never seems to be close to the actual green speeds, and just adds confusion to adjusting to the actual speeds, and distacne control I need putting on the actual greens.

I agree. It was a course I had never played and was bent grass (95% of the greens in Middle Tennessee are Ultradwarf Bermuda) so I felt I needed to at least roll a few. The interesting thing I always forget about Bent is how much more the ball spins back on approaches. I was pulling the ball back 10-15 feet on wedge shots and I almost NEVER do that on bermuda. 

Also, not that anyone cares what I shot but 86 is the highest round I have shot in the last 2 years by about 4 shots. I must be a mental midget when it comes to competitive golf (for reference I always putt out and play by the rules so it's not as if I was freaked by having to make 3 footers). I will try again in a few months. For now I need to focus on staying in my routine.