Putting Problems

**bm303** · July 24, 2008

So, I have been playing golf for about 11 months now and I am about a 15 handicap. I average about a 260-280 yard drive and I feel that my long game is great. I am hitting nearly half of all holes in regulation, but it seems that I can't stop 3 putting at least 5 times per round. Today I had 7 three putts and 1 four putt, which is just terrible. When I putt I tend to wobble the putter on the take away and end up coming over the ball or pushing it as a result of an inconsistent take away. I also seem to have trouble lining up, and I am horrible at short putts. I would say that I make approximately 50% of putts from 3-5 feet. I honestly don't want to blame my putter, but I just can't seem to get a feel and just sink putts. The rest of my game has come with ease, and the putting has never been good. I think that if I had a blade putter I would have better feel because I like the style of the traditional blade. What do you recommend that I do? I am going to attend the Dave Pelz Short Game Clinic in a few weeks and that should hopefully help out my putting. Any help would be great! Thanks

**GaijinGolfer** · July 24, 2008

Get one of those practice putting targets that shoots the ball back to you and practice, practice, practice.

**bruce** · July 24, 2008

Trouble lining up,e.t.c Get the gismo for putting the sharpie line on your ball,
best thing i ever started,set the line to where you want to start the putt and set the line on your putter to it,set your body to the same and your lined up perfect,I always take putter back slow and always gauge my distance with how far i take it back.Don't take it back far and slow down as you get to the ball.
Oh and if it means anything Woods and a lot of pro's use the sharpie line.

**Dent** · July 24, 2008

So, I have been playing golf for about 11 months now and I am about a 15 handicap. I average about a 260-280 yard drive and I feel that my long game is great. I am hitting nearly half of all holes in regulation, but it seems that I can't stop 3 putting at least 5 times per round. Today I had 7 three putts and 1 four putt, which is just terrible

I HAVE THE EXACT SAME THING! For me its a lack of not taking the time to line up the putt and lack of focus.

**Crafty** · July 24, 2008

Try this:

Im sure you've heard of this, but try the two tee drill. Putt a ball down and put two tees beside the ball just wider than the width of your putter. Then, about four or five inches behind it, putt two more tees the same width apart. Focus on keeping the putter head between the tees. You can also put two more tees about a foot in front of the putter where the all should go. That should help with your path and consistency.

As far as feel, repetition, repetition, repetition.

**Dent** · July 24, 2008

Try this:

Basically a more cheaper version of the Z-Factor?

Thanks crafty, will try.

**Crafty** · July 24, 2008

Basically a more cheaper version of the Z-Factor?

If it works for Tiger, I have no dubt it'll work for you.

**zripp3** · July 24, 2008

i've started finding a "spot" about 6" in front of the ball, on the line, and focus on hitting over that spot. think i got the idea from a recent mag article but it's worked for me. helps me at least start on the right line.

**m11** · July 24, 2008

To be frank, the setup for a golf shot..whether it is a putt or a full swing eventually becomes a 'natural' feeling...it needs to be initially learned properly
When you set up and the ball doesn't go where you intended it to go...not referring to missed putts..but referring to mishit putts...its the equivalent of mis-hitting your driver and putting it 60 yards into the woods. Its simply not as exaggerated because you are only trying to move the ball maybe a dozen feet.

In reality, going out and spending hours on the practice green wont really help you...yet. You must learn proper setup, grip, and stroke just like you learned with your full swing. Normally, i'd recommend just checking out pelz's or stan utley's books...but since you are going to the clinic, you really will learn how to setup and stroke it by the end of the day. Once you have sound fundamentals, you'll be confident how the ball comes off the face because it will be consistent, and then practice will develop your green reading and touch.

**ks8829** · July 24, 2008

In putting the most important aspect is distance control. Don't worry about the line for 5 rounds of golf but simple concentrate on the speed of the putts.

Shoulders rather than hands
1) stand as tall as you can comfortably with your putter
2) elimate any movement from your hands and wrists
3) move the putter with only your shoulders

Ball position
1) stand over the ball and drop a ball from your eyes, where the ball drops is where the distance between you and ball should be.

Solid contact
1) start the putter low to the ground on the backswing
2) tilt your back shoulder lower than your front shoulder
3) keep a light grip as possible on your putter

Distance Control
1) judge the distance of the putt by the distance of your back swing
2) keep your back swing and forward swing of the putter the same distance
3) keep the same tempo throughout your round of golf

Practice
1) Everyday go to the putting green and practice distance control
2) 95% of your practice should be focused on distance control putting.

Progress
1) count how many putts you have during a round
2) before you play a round of golf come early and get use to the speed of the greens.
3) If you 2 putt every green that is 36 strokes or half your score to shoot par.
4) Have a goal that you want to have 36 - 27 putts during a round of golf before the end of the year.

Remember not to worry about making the putt but concentrate on making a good stroke with the proper distance. Just my 2 putts worth.

***iacas*** · July 24, 2008

If it works for Tiger, I have no dubt it'll work for you.

Tiger only uses two tees. He doesn't put another set back behind or in front. He just uses the two to keep his path good and to make sure he's releasing the putter head.

I echo what another person said about using the big muscles - shoulders, etc. - rather than using the hands. I'd also focus on speed rather than line right now. Once you get speed down, you can misread a putt by two feet and still have a tap-in second.

**Klean** · July 24, 2008

I'd also focus on speed rather than line right now. Once you get speed down, you can misread a putt by two feet and still have a tap-in second.

Good thing for me to remember. I'd shave about 8 strokes per round if I would stop the 3 putts. Distance control is something I really struggle with. Lag putts especially. I'll be 40ft from the hole and end up being at least 10-20ft short or passed it after the putt.

**bm303** · July 27, 2008

I appreciate all of the replys that I have already received. I think that a combination of me practicing drills and purchasing a putter that I can make a smoother stroke with will greatly improve my putting. Thanks for all of the replys, and I am open to any more suggestions or comments.

**clemsontiger** · July 28, 2008

One of the keys to good putting is practice.

You also need to have a putter that you feel confident with, but one of the keys is to practice. If you play one a month and only putt then, you might not be that good of a putter. Every time I go to the driving range, I spend time on the putting green as well. You have to be able to putt descent in order to get a good score.

**Big Padrigo** · July 28, 2008

You need a routine for putting same as anything else. If you are going to spend time practising build a routine that you will use everytime you play. It's a big help. After that the only other advice I'd give is to putt to the smallest possible target, for short putts a mark on the back of the cup. For longer putts your target will depend on whether it's uphill or downhill, for me I have a traget beyond the hole on uphill putts and before the hole on downhill putts, big help on getting your speed right.

**Dub** · August 1, 2008

First off....you are to be complimented on your outstanding progress with the game.

11 months and down to a 15!!!!!!!!!!!

Very well done.

To me....putting is a game within a game. The greens are where the course really jumps up and challenges you.

A 300 yard drive followed by a nutted 3 wood leaving you with a 25 foot eagle put is a high you've probably experienced......followed by the low of leaving yourself putting for a 10 foot birdie put......then a four foot par put that lips out. You walk off the green and angrily mark your scorecard and reach the next tee with a full head of steam. Ah.....the bliss of putting.

Putting, for me, demands that I forget about what happened before and what happens on the next hole. It is very much a "in the moment' thing. Gauging speed is a critical event that requires a clear head.

As others have mentioned, get a rountine down. Stand behind the ball looking at the distance.....take some practice strokes as you stare at the distance. Come up from behind your ball and see the line as you walk up. Stand square to this line and put the stroke on the ball that you practiced from behind.

Consider your possible leaves as you are working up a strategy for putting out on any green.....what are the dangers.....where are the "good" misses.

Yep....it's a game within the game. You may not ever hit the ball as purely as a pro....but there is no need you can't putt like one!!!!!! The key is to find your way....your methods.

You are gonna benefit a ton a the short game school. A 15 now.....good grief....you are really gonna drop some strokes after you put into practice what you are about to learn. You'll be single digit in just over a year!!!!!

baal · August 5, 2008

Get one of those practice putting targets that shoots the ball back to you and practice, practice, practice.

I have one of those, and I do like 300 putts a day. But the problem with that is that you are only practicing on a straight ground, but in most real cases you are either above the ball, or below it, or you are putting downhill or uphill and hence get some problems at hitting the ball properly.

**ks8829** · August 5, 2008

Your basic putt is always straight so you are working on your fundamentals to keep your putts going straight. Check out the videos on putting on the internet, they are very helpful.

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