Putting

Well, I got a new set of irons today, so at around 5 i went out to squeeze in 9 holes. I played GREAT, except for my putting! it RUINED me. So, i need some tips as to how to putt better.

Thanks

For me it's a few things, but I have no idea if they'll work for you, though (I'm an arc putter, not a straight back straight through guy.):

in order of use

PREGAME
• make good use of the practice green before going on the course

THINGS:
••create a triangle with the shoulders and the 2 arms; for consistency and predictability 'swing' that as a triangle unit.

••Keep the triangle somewhat connected with the chest for further stability and predictability.

••spend less time between final assessment of the putt and execution. (Less time for things to corrupt the instincts.)

••do a practice swing (I don't always though, though probably not a good idea on my part.)
during this practice swing •• make sure your clubface at impact is going to be square to the target line, or all bets and putts are OFF. (Some say this one detail is the most influential thing of all. I don't doubt them.)

* the following is unorthodox, but for lag putts and any kind of long putts, I tend to look at the hole more and trust my brain unconscious to do the work rather than me trying to calculate. Yeah once in a blue moon, I make bad contact cos I'm not watching the ball so much, but I find that over the aggregate it works out better for me. I make sure I practice both ways though, so if one day I feel less confident with one technique I can go to the other. The two techniques can be combined in various ways too.



Last round I didn't 3 putt once. Short game saved my tuckus once again.

All right, i'll try those out tomorrow. Thanks.

A thing that really helps my putting is to visualize pushing my club into the hole. After i make contact, i always follow through till my putter is pointing directly at the hole. Its hard to explain but this small change helped alot. Its almost as if i'm pushing the ball but i'm not.

Honestly what helps me out the most is just focusing and concentrating more on a putt. Before each putt I'll picture in my head exactly where the ball would go if I were to putt it with "x" amount of power. Be sure to take into consideration the contours of the green. Most of the time I find them to be stronger than they look. I usually over-putt a lot so lately I have been loosening my grip and it has helped me a lot. Good luck, just focus more!

Also, commit to your putt. Trust your line and swing through smoothly. It helps more than you think.

I've definitely been there! I'm a new player (6 months) but have been committed to improving. Two months ago 3-5 putting on the green was pretty normal for me, even after getting to the green in 2 on a par 4. Now I'm close to always 2 putting and occasionally get the 1 putt.

The great thing about putting is that you can practice it anywhere. All you need is a cup and a few balls. Finding what works for you is the most important thing but of course you need some reference. I watch a lot of golf on TV and read all the magazines. I've gleaned a few things over the past few months:

- Line up the shot properly (with your feet).
- Focus on the ball at address (don't look up!)
- Palms facing each other, relax!
- Right elbow in, comfortable stance.
- Take practice strokes and make sure its relaxed and straight.
- Practice at home on the low carpet till you get your aim down.
- Practice on the putting greens (usually free) to get your distance down.

I hope this helps.

-Pat

Practice, Practice, Practice!!!

Try putting with only looking at the hole, if you can't do that then try glancing at the hole then taking your stroke looking at the ball right away without hesitation. This helps with distance control a lot and cuts down on the 3-putts.

Here's a suggestion that has nothing to do with how you swing the putter.

Pick a line on the ball or mark your own. I personally use a spinner to put a black ring around all my balls. Then align the line on the ball with your aim for the putt when you put the ball down. All you have to do is concentrate on striking the ball so it travels along that line. Although many people do it, trying to aim the ball visually from above is fraught with error.

If you watch pros carefully when they set up for putts, the vast majority are using this method.

I'm also new at this, this is my 2nd season and I've got about 12 rounds in since I first started. I find that now I'm getting to the greens in the same amount as you, but the putting is killing me. I'm still at 3-5 putts unless I get lucky getting it close to the pin when i first land on the green, which isn't common. I'm gonna take your advice and practice at home and head to the green a little more often when I'm at the driving range. at this point I have no clue how to judge distance, even though my aim has been improving significantly. (i played the front 9 at sea oaks in NJ Sunday and had 7 just missed puts. Either they were too fast but in line and rolled over, or they were in line and swirled out.) I picked up the Odyssey White Hot #1 yesterday and started on the carpet at home for about 10 min yesterday. now I'm excited to try the practice green this evening. (Before picking that up I was using a super heavy, $10 mallet type putter that was just way too heavy and it kept dragging during my putts. This new blade putter feels much better. I'm excited to give it a good tryout!!!) Thanks for the tips, I'm definitely going to give them a go.