Limpinswinger

I haven't posted in a while. I just logged on and saw this thread featured on the home page. I saw this discussion a few years ago and immediately went to the practice green to try it out and saw immediate results. Thanks for the clear (if slightly fudged), explanation of what is going on and how to execute the putting stroke optimally. This is probably the best lesson on TST to help amateurs lower their scores.

I gave it a try on the practice green the same afternoon that I wrote that last post. Two thoughts. It took some focus to let the putter passively stroke through contact, and it required a longer stroke to get the ball to the hole than I am used to. However, when I executed it correctly, I was hitting 30+ foot putts within 2-3 feet from the hole, mostly short, but, I expect there to be a bit of a learning curve with this new approach. I have to say that I'm quite excited about this.

When I first started playing golf, I was taught to control the distance of my pitching wedge when taking less than a full swing by the length of my backswing and followthrough and that the length of each should be equal, using the face of a clock as a reference ie: 2-10 O'Clock, 3-9 O'Clock, 4-8 O'clock, etc. I wasn't told how hard to swing the club, but, I instinctively used less active acceleration than on a full swing. After some practice I knew about how far each symmetrical swing would fly. It seemed logical to apply the same approach to putting. At first, I was very systematic about it, applying one inch of backswing and followthrough for a given number of feet to the hole. Over time, I dropped that specific approach and began to apply a swing length based on my overall perception of how long a swing it would take to get the ball to the hole given all of the variables of distance, slope, wind, etc., after a few practice swings. Until reading the OP, I didn't give much thought to when acceleration should stop in relation to contact. I have presumed that I should accelerate through contact and decelerate naturally in the follow through, that distance control was dependent on accelerating through contact, and that, decelerating prior to contact would result in loss of distance control. With this approach, my putting has been what I would call good, but not consistently excellent. I have nailed my share of long putts, but, for the most part feel fortunate if I can get a 30 foot putt inside 4-5 feet. So, I'm very interested to see how OP's approach to stop accelerating prior to contact will affect my long distance control. The question I still have (having not read the entire thread), is how to purposely stop accelerating just prior to contact?

Not sure what that means. But, if it means feeling like a badass, then yes, that's pretty much it.

Outstanding!

A giant of the game and a beloved human being is gone. RIP Mr. Palmer.

Thanks for the explanation. Of course, now I have to go look at vids of Hogan to see what he actually did.

I was originally taught to flare my lead foot and square my back foot. I'm not sure why. But, after reading the OP and a few other posts in this thread, flaring both feet makes a lot of sense.

Well, that's another issue. I'm talking about the sweet feel the the added flex of hitting a clean long iron. However few times it's happened, I remember it clearly.

I carry a 2 iron. Don't use it much. But, I will say that there is nothing in golf, NOTHING, sweeter than hitting a clean shot with a 2 iron. Just my opinion, of course.

On the golf course, many times. Funny that you infer that there are posters here who are equally interested in playing well.

I find it odd and a bit amusing that, for some golfers, how fast they play is more important than how low they score.

Damn close! Good call.

No one else felt that the high drama of a fairytale finish was just a bit diminished by that missed par putt?

Spieth gave an amazing performance. But, was no one else just a little disappointed when he missed that par put on 18 to break Tiger's scoring record? "Sigh!" It would have been the stuff of myth, fable and legend.