Putting more practice and effort but getting worse

[Markelly82]

Hello mygolfspy community. I’m looking for some guidance or advice.  The last couple of weeks I have been preparing for a member guest.  I even got two lessons during this time frame too. I’ve put in a lot of time and effort to improve.  Ultimately, I’m just not seeing the results on the course. This seems to happen to me almost every year.  I want to be good at golf and shoot lower scores, but it doesn’t seem to come.  For whatever reason I shoot better scores during the early part of the season than I do at the end.  I’m sure it has to do with putting more pressure on myself and having higher expectations. It just sucks and makes me think why bother.  I just got Arccos to help me better understand where I’m dropping strokes. I’m only four rounds in. I’m just not sure where to go or what to do.  Some problem areas are that I’m a constant tinkerer.  I’m always playing with my swing. I do feel like I’m at a point with my swing where this is what I want to be. I’ve had 5 putters within the last year (not an exaggeration). I had an edel for 8 years. I got an odyssey triple track wide, Ping zing 2, Scotty super select 2.5+, and a bullseye (yes, you read that right). The last one was a grasping at straws to clear out the noise and get back to aim small miss small. Even with the tiny face and sweet spot.  I’m just tired of going out there and shooting 82’s. Yes, I know some people would die to shoot 82. 
 

Any advice or input would be great bc I’m searching. 

[RickyBobby_PR]

On thing is to stop tinkering. While tinkering is fun, for most people it hurts their game more than helps.

If putting is an issue get fit for a putter.

there’s practice and proper practice. What is your practice routine at the range and on the putting green? We need to start there to see where we can improve that so that it translates to the course.

You are at a point where dropping scores becomes harder and it’s about reducing mistakes on the course. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

2 hours ago, Markelly82 said:

Hello mygolfspy community. I’m looking for some guidance or advice.  The last couple of weeks I have been preparing for a member guest.  I even got two lessons during this time frame too. I’ve put in a lot of time and effort to improve.  Ultimately, I’m just not seeing the results on the course. This seems to happen to me almost every year.  I want to be good at golf and shoot lower scores, but it doesn’t seem to come.  For whatever reason I shoot better scores during the early part of the season than I do at the end.  I’m sure it has to do with putting more pressure on myself and having higher expectations. It just sucks and makes me think why bother.  I just got Arccos to help me better understand where I’m dropping strokes. I’m only four rounds in. I’m just not sure where to go or what to do.  Some problem areas are that I’m a constant tinkerer.  I’m always playing with my swing. I do feel like I’m at a point with my swing where this is what I want to be. I’ve had 5 putters within the last year (not an exaggeration). I had an edel for 8 years. I got an odyssey triple track wide, Ping zing 2, Scotty super select 2.5+, and a bullseye (yes, you read that right). The last one was a grasping at straws to clear out the noise and get back to aim small miss small. Even with the tiny face and sweet spot.  I’m just tired of going out there and shooting 82’s. Yes, I know some people would die to shoot 82. 
 

Any advice or input would be great bc I’m searching. 

As mentioned may be best to stop tinkering and play with what you have. Minimize mistakes where you can and for putting my only thing that I do when I struggle is go back to just focus on speed. Let the rest take care of itself. If you can get a handle on speed then the line and putts will always be close.

[EMacK1961]

At 3', being a degree off one way or the other results in a putt going in. At 6', being a degree off, will result in a miss. Keeping the face of the putter still and in alignment can go a long way to having more putts roll in. That's the area I would focus on IMO. Being able to go 3 for 3 from 3' all around the hole, then from 6' all around the hole. Use a hole where there will be breaks and hills to navigate so you can putt uphill and downhill as well as side hill.

[cnosil]

As stated stop tinkering with your swing.  What did the instructor say about your swing?   Why would you want to do anything different?  What are you trying to fix?  

You seem to think putting is your problem but provided no evidence of your putting ability only that you changed putters 5 times.   You have arccos; yet four rounds probably isn't enough data, what does it tell you about your putting?    What does it tell you about other parts of your game?

[Stuka44]

On 7/15/2023 at 4:34 AM, Markelly82 said:

I’ve had 5 putters within the last year (not an exaggeration).

 

As others have said!!  The less I think & tinker the better I ALWAYS play.   Also as mentioned not sure what your "putting" problem is, but pro's 50/50 make distance is 8 feet.  After keeping track of my 1st put distance, for about 90 rounds now my 50/50 make is about 5.5 feet.  So I'm not sure what your expectations are, but first build confidence that you will not 3 putt on putts less than 20' by concentrating on distance control.  Second practice A LOT OF PUTTS less than 6 feet, these are the ones you can actually make more of when given the opportunity.  Just my thoughts!

[Markelly82]

So after more Arccos rounds my problem areas are attached in a screenshot.  Middle of the fairway approach, 100-150, and par 3 shots. I will say I struggle with 50 and in too. 
 

issues with putting are speed control and a consistent strike. I feel like I hit it off the toe a lot. I feel like I can read greens and can put it on line but speed control blows. Obviously, consistency in strike kills speed control. I was fitted for the edel but fell out of love with her.  I like a lighter putter which is why I like the ping zing.  I hate the feel tho. It feels like I’m hitting a piece of wood. I love the feel of the Scotty but hate the weighted.  I should have aimed to get the super select 2. I’m going to take the Scotty to the nearest pga superstore to work out if I can another grip and adjust the counter weight. Might see if there’s a way to better fit the Scotty 

 

for the issues with swing, it’s inconsistent strike.  I get a lot of what I feel are toey chunks.  Toe shots are my predominant miss. I thought I was a good ball striker but Arccos has really shown my issues.  

 

Ultimately, I want to be better and be much more consistent. I’ve had a round of 75 at a course I’ve never played. I also had a 34 -2 in a 9 hole member guest round. The swings in score are frustrating bc I feel like I’m better but results aren’t showing. 

[RickyBobby_PR]

33 minutes ago, Markelly82 said:

for the issues with swing, it’s inconsistent strike.  I get a lot of what I feel are toey chunks.  Toe shots are my predominant miss. I thought I was a good ball striker but Arccos has really shown my issues.  

Sounds like you are early extending and getting hands high leading to the toe strikes and the chunky ones coming from hanging back and not getting pressure onto the lead side early enough.

You say you are putting in work to get better? Can you elaborate on what the instructor from your lessons told you was wrong with your swing and what you were given to work on. 
 

also elaborate on what your practice sessions look like 

[Markelly82]

Instructor told me I was taking the club way to much out in my takeaway.  He also stated I needed to work on keeping my back to the target longer. For whatever reason when I get in the course my mind forgets all the things I learned and try to remember during my practice sessions. Everything becomes a jumbled mess. Oddly enough while chatting I just thought about the back to the ball piece and want to go try it at the range.  I seem to hit the ball well on the range but doesn’t translate to the course much. 
 

my practice sessions are starting out with knock down wedges.  I rarely swing a full wedge.  I try and flight everything. I try not to get over 3/4.  Basically hands don’t go past my chest. I’m working at landing balls 10 yards in front and behind different flags depending on the distance.  Trying to hit everything from 40-120. Then go to 9, 7, 5, 3 hybrid, couple 3 woods and driver. I like to finish by hitting wedges.  I predominantly hit most of the balls with wedges 9 and 7. I rarely try and work the irons. Although I know how I don’t want to right now since I’m just trying to be consistent at one flight. I prefer a straight ball flight or a slight cut.  I don’t care to draw it. 
 

tips for early extension?

[RickyBobby_PR]

9 hours ago, Markelly82 said:

Instructor told me I was taking the club way to much out in my takeaway.  He also stated I needed to work on keeping my back to the target longer. For whatever reason when I get in the course my mind forgets all the things I learned and try to remember during my practice sessions. Everything becomes a jumbled mess. Oddly enough while chatting I just thought about the back to the ball piece and want to go try it at the range.  I seem to hit the ball well on the range but doesn’t translate to the course much. 
 

my practice sessions are starting out with knock down wedges.  I rarely swing a full wedge.  I try and flight everything. I try not to get over 3/4.  Basically hands don’t go past my chest. I’m working at landing balls 10 yards in front and behind different flags depending on the distance.  Trying to hit everything from 40-120. Then go to 9, 7, 5, 3 hybrid, couple 3 woods and driver. I like to finish by hitting wedges.  I predominantly hit most of the balls with wedges 9 and 7. I rarely try and work the irons. Although I know how I don’t want to right now since I’m just trying to be consistent at one flight. I prefer a straight ball flight or a slight cut.  I don’t care to draw it. 
 

tips for early extension?

I’m not saying it’s early extension but it sounds like it and wouldn’t suggest anything without seeing a swing. 
 

Before we get into that though it sounds as if you aren’t doing anything to actually change your swing. Did your instructor give you any drills to do on the range? If so how much time are you spending doing them and how often?

 

 

[Markelly82]

No drills per say. Just more of a pre take away check to insure I’m not taking it to far on the inside or outside.  I was initially taking it to far on the inside last year and he fixed that but through the year it went to far in the opposite direction to taking it to far outside on the takeaway. Like I said he did give the feel of try to keep your back longer facing at the target.  No real other drills.  
 

I have been practicing more hitting into a net at my house and working at feeling like my head is stuck on a wall on the back swing and down swing. Also keeping the chest more down through the down swing to avoid early extension. Then I end up getting stuck and hitting it fat behind the ball. Almost like a darned if I do darned if I don’t. 
 

I do want to say thank you for taking the time to respond to these.  Especially since it sounds like a bunch of whining and complaining over shooting 82 when a lot of golfers would love to shoot that. I will say it’s gotten to a point where I considered why playing and wasting the time when I’m just going to be disappointed in the results.  I could have spent that 5 hours playing with my boys. 

[RickyBobby_PR]

1 hour ago, Markelly82 said:

No drills per say. Just more of a pre take away check to insure I’m not taking it to far on the inside or outside.  I was initially taking it to far on the inside last year and he fixed that but through the year it went to far in the opposite direction to taking it to far outside on the takeaway. Like I said he did give the feel of try to keep your back longer facing at the target.  No real other drills.  
 

I have been practicing more hitting into a net at my house and working at feeling like my head is stuck on a wall on the back swing and down swing. Also keeping the chest more down through the down swing to avoid early extension. Then I end up getting stuck and hitting it fat behind the ball. Almost like a darned if I do darned if I don’t. 
 

I do want to say thank you for taking the time to respond to these.  Especially since it sounds like a bunch of whining and complaining over shooting 82 when a lot of golfers would love to shoot that. I will say it’s gotten to a point where I considered why playing and wasting the time when I’m just going to be disappointed in the results.  I could have spent that 5 hours playing with my boys. 

The back to the target is a good thought but if things are on a bad position with the club or club face there will be issues. 
 

Keeping the head on the wall isn’t a bad thing but are you allowing it to rotate at all?

 

If there are swing issue, sound drills that will fix them are going to be beneficial.

one thing that happens for some who are working on not taking the arms away can be to suck them in to far and get over the top of the better player to shallow by dipping the shoulder.

Feel free to post a swing video from face and and down the line. The camera should be at hand height. For down the line it should be in line with the hands. For face on point at the center of the body

[fixyurdivot]

On 7/15/2023 at 1:34 AM, Markelly82 said:

Hello mygolfspy community. I’m looking for some guidance or advice.  The last couple of weeks I have been preparing for a member guest.  I even got two lessons during this time frame too. I’ve put in a lot of time and effort to improve.  Ultimately, I’m just not seeing the results on the course. This seems to happen to me almost every year.  I want to be good at golf and shoot lower scores, but it doesn’t seem to come.  For whatever reason I shoot better scores during the early part of the season than I do at the end.  I’m sure it has to do with putting more pressure on myself and having higher expectations. It just sucks and makes me think why bother.  I just got Arccos to help me better understand where I’m dropping strokes. I’m only four rounds in. I’m just not sure where to go or what to do.  Some problem areas are that I’m a constant tinkerer.  I’m always playing with my swing. I do feel like I’m at a point with my swing where this is what I want to be. I’ve had 5 putters within the last year (not an exaggeration). I had an edel for 8 years. I got an odyssey triple track wide, Ping zing 2, Scotty super select 2.5+, and a bullseye (yes, you read that right). The last one was a grasping at straws to clear out the noise and get back to aim small miss small. Even with the tiny face and sweet spot.  I’m just tired of going out there and shooting 82’s. Yes, I know some people would die to shoot 82. 
 

Any advice or input would be great bc I’m searching. 

I won't re-post the asymtotic chart I've often used in threads like this, but keep in mind that the closer we get to scratch, the more difficult it becomes to get there.  If you are struggling with putting, I'd suggest putting lessons and/or a putter fitting.  I was stuck in a putter funk for a bit until my buddy @Thin2winsuggested I try left hand low at one of our PNW Spy Meet's some years ago.  I did, it helped, and I still putt that way.  I also did a putter fitting and moved from my PING B61 to my Evnroll ER5v.  My putting isn't hurting me (much) but it could be helping me a bunch.  I miss WAY TOO MANY inside 10 feet putts for birdie.  

[BMart519]

On 7/28/2023 at 5:35 PM, Markelly82 said:

So after more Arccos rounds my problem areas are attached in a screenshot.  Middle of the fairway approach, 100-150, and par 3 shots. I will say I struggle with 50 and in too. 
 

issues with putting are speed control and a consistent strike. I feel like I hit it off the toe a lot. I feel like I can read greens and can put it on line but speed control blows. Obviously, consistency in strike kills speed control. I was fitted for the edel but fell out of love with her.  I like a lighter putter which is why I like the ping zing.  I hate the feel tho. It feels like I’m hitting a piece of wood. I love the feel of the Scotty but hate the weighted.  I should have aimed to get the super select 2. I’m going to take the Scotty to the nearest pga superstore to work out if I can another grip and adjust the counter weight. Might see if there’s a way to better fit the Scotty 

 

for the issues with swing, it’s inconsistent strike.  I get a lot of what I feel are toey chunks.  Toe shots are my predominant miss. I thought I was a good ball striker but Arccos has really shown my issues.  

 

Ultimately, I want to be better and be much more consistent. I’ve had a round of 75 at a course I’ve never played. I also had a 34 -2 in a 9 hole member guest round. The swings in score are frustrating bc I feel like I’m better but results aren’t showing. 

Show the strokes gained info from Arccos from the other areas of your game. You are best to identify 1-2 key items, drills, practice games, etc to improve in each area: putting, short game, and full swing shots. 

Have you done testing/comparison to verify that hitting 3/4 and partial wedges yields better results than full swings? Some people are better swinging harder with less club than a partial swing. 

Using multiple putters will hurt speed control due to lack of familiarity and repetition, deciding on 1 and then spending time on 30-40' lag putts (finishing within 3-4' of target) is likely an initial item to work on. There are conflicting opinions on how much hitting the sweet spot of a putter affects speed. It is likely less impact to your speed than you think. To work on contact wrap elastic bands around the putter head giving you around 1" width to hit the ball if it is a major concern. .

If you are frustrated with the time invested in golf practice with minimal gains, consider doing more work in the gym. Getting in better shape should translate to hitting the ball farther and could help address issues with early extension. You should also feel better in your daily life as a bonus. If nothing else in your golf game changes but you start hitting driver 20 yards farther and irons 5-10 more yards, your scores will drop. 

Edited July 31, 2023 by BMart519

[Erjohn]

For putting there are only three variables that need to be perfected. 
 

Start Line

Speed Control

Green Reading

Ive been focusing the last year by putting daily on a well putt mat with a gate with very tight tolerances. This ingrains the start line from 3’-9’. If you can start it on line you can make a ton of putts. If I am off line at all, I hit the gate. What I found is if I go through my routine and my mind is clear i make the putt. If I go through the routine and something pops up and I’m thinking about something I push or pull the putt into the gate.
 

Secondly, I took an aimpoint speed control class and have been working on speed. This has helped greatly as well. 
 

lastly, I got a perfect putter training aid. This allows me to roll putts at different speeds and different lines to see how my reads are accurate or inaccurate. This has helped a lot as well.
 

I’ve taken my putting from being a liability to what I see as a strength. Especially inside 10’. I competed in US AM qualifier two weeks ago And only missed two putts within 10 feet over the two days. 

[higherplane]

For putting if you are striking toe by accident, you need to take whatever putter you like best and work on puts that start on the white stripe in the middle. Get so you can hit the middle nearly every time. Then work on speed, on practice green hit to the edge, goal is to get to first cut no more than 3 inches on.  Then work on putting, like the Jumbo Osaki (sp) drill,  from 4-6 ft or higher spread out balls in circle then putt left-right-together handed must make 5 in a row.   This is easily 2 hours of practice to start - similar to drive and back to PGA store and shopping inside.  Lastly Google Aim Point and follow guidance.                          

[Buzzard3]

On 7/15/2023 at 6:34 PM, Markelly82 said:

 Some problem areas are that I’m a constant tinkerer.  I’m always playing with my swing. I do feel like I’m at a point with my swing where this is what I want to be ...
Any advice or input would be great bc I’m searching. 

1.  Sounds like you need to "groove" one swing that works ... constantly changing your swing results in disaster.  

2.  Do you hit balls on a range,  one after the other?  If so, give that a break and instead try practising the same way you play ... on the golf course using only ONE ball.   If I hit a bucket of balls on a range, my game gets worse ... so I never do it.

Edited August 18, 2023 by Buzzard3