Putting Problems

[bm303]

I have been playing for approximately 6 months and am shooting consistently in the high and mid 80's. I own a Odyssey White Hot XG #9 34" putter and I have on/off days with it. I don't want to blame anything on the putter because I know that it is me and not my putter is terrible at putting. I get on par 4's in 2 and commonly three putt them, which brings me down for the rest of the round. I have considered oversized putter grips, and going to one of Dave Pelz's golf clinics about 45 minutes away from me. I have particular trouble with short putts. I honestly have about a 30% of missing a putt under 3 feet. I really can't fix this problem and my putting is just horrible. If I were a good putter I could see myself shooting in the 70's very soon, but sadly I am not. I ask you to please give me some tips on what I should consider, because I am extremely tired of shooting an 89 with 8 three putts. That has to stop.

[rudygu]

I would start here: http://thesandtrap.com/extras/playin...t_making_putts

Lots of good info in that article.

[Shindig]

I have been playing for approximately 6 months and am shooting consistently in the high and mid 80's. I own a Odyssey White Hot XG #9 34" putter and I have on/off days with it. I don't want to blame anything on the putter because I know that it is me and not my putter is terrible at putting. I get on par 4's in 2 and commonly three putt them, which brings me down for the rest of the round. I have considered oversized putter grips, and going to one of Dave Pelz's golf clinics about 45 minutes away from me. I have particular trouble with short putts. I honestly have about a 30% of missing a putt under 3 feet. I really can't fix this problem and my putting is just horrible. If I were a good putter I could see myself shooting in the 70's very soon, but sadly I am not. I ask you to please give me some tips on what I should consider, because I am extremely tired of shooting an 89 with 8 three putts. That has to stop.

If you have a 30% chance of missing the short putts, it seems to me you need to practice those.

I used to throw away strokes that close to the hole, too. Then I forced myself to practice them, and to make 10 in a row before leaving the putting green. It helps to add pressure that's usually absent from a practice routine and it increases your confidence on short putts.

[walk18]

you know what really helped me was to get really get low to the ground, hunch if you have to, and grip down on the putter, you'll have more control, and you're a lot closer to the ground to read the break. I do this for any putt 5 feet and in, to really zero in on the cup. Longer putts I am standing up straighter just trying to get speed right.

[Lefty731PM]

IIf I were a good putter I could see myself shooting in the 70's very soon, but sadly I am not. I ask you to please give me some tips on what I should consider, because I am extremely tired of shooting an 89 with 8 three putts.

Putting is a completely different part of the game. Saying that you are frustrated because you 3 putt 8 times a round but could shoot in the seventies if you were a good putter is akin to saying that you are tired of hitting 2 fairways a round and hitting 5 balls out of bounds, which stops you from shooting in the seventies.

You have to devote a lot of time to practice, but unfortunately, some people can putt reasonably well on normal greens without practising much and others basically cannot putt to save their life. 36 putts is half of a score of 72, so accept that it is a different game and practice accordingly. Start by practising 2 foot putts and try to make 100 in a row. Even 1 footers if you're that bad.

[Socrates]

I'm sorry, you started playing golf 6 months ago and you shoot in the 80's for 18 holes? That's pretty insane progression. Do you mind if I ask what your course rating/slope is?

[walk18]

I'm sorry, you started playing golf 6 months ago and you shoot in the 80's for 18 holes? That's pretty insane progression. Do you mind if I ask what your course rating/slope is?

I did the same thing. if you have athletic talent, and can make a decent swing, it's possible. he's at that point, but the short game comes later, and can only come with practice. that's why golf is so tough.

[bm303]

I appreciate all of the replys. I am 15 years old and have been told by my instructor that I have potential to be a great golfer, and that I am his best student. I took a matter of about 10 lessons over the last 6 months and I am absolutely in love with the game. Yes Socrates, I am consistently improving and shooting in the high-mid 80's nearly every round. I don't have the slightest idea what my course rating/slope is, but I could tell you that many people find it extremely hard due to the 93 bunkers on the course. Water is rarely in clear play but if you can't hit out of a fairway bunker well, you're basically ruined on this course. I personally think it's a moderately easy course, but nearly everyone disagrees. Recent arm problems have prevented me from playing for the last week, but I will be start playing again hopefully this weekend, or at worst, next week. I plan on playing for my high schools varsity golf team next year, which I will be preparing all summer for. If I can improve all aspects of my game I see myself having some good rounds next year. The putting article was great, so thanks for posting that.

[Lefty731PM]

I am 15 years old and have been told by my instructor that I have potential to be a great golfer, and that I am his best student.

Get a new instructor.

[bm303]

Why would I get a new instructor? I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you are saying. He gave me a compliment and you're saying that I should get rid of him?

[Lefty731PM]

Why would I get a new instructor? I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you are saying. He gave me a compliment and you're saying that I should get rid of him?

You've basically said that you are as bad as it is possible to be at what amounts to 50% of the game.

This type of compliment has no logical basis. It's one thing to say to you - "Mate, you hit the ball pretty well for a beginner, but we need to get that putting sorted out" and another to say you have the potential to be a great golfer. A coach who encourages you like this does you no favours.

[bm303]

Well, you're entitled to your own opinion but I disagree. When I said that I was as bad as possible I did not mean that I am the worst putter out of every single person on earth. It was a use of words to emphasize how poorly I think that I putt. I have gone rounds with zero three putts, yet my putting is just inconsistent from round to round. By him saying that I have potential I meant that he thinks I have potential to become a great golfer yet I have my faults which includes my putting. By potential he meant that I could become a much better golfer if I were to sort those things out.

[golf_junkie27]

Try putting with your eyes, closed. Go through your whole pre-shot routine. Then, line up your putter, close your eyes, and putt. The idea is to trust everything before you take your shot. After you make a few, and you will, this will relax you. Sometimes, being so close causes undue tension.

[Lefty731PM]

t he thinks I have potential to become a great golfer yet I have my faults which includes my putting. By potential he meant that I could become a much better golfer if I were to sort those things out.

Well in that case he's probably correct. My concern is over the word "great". Get onto that putting green and practise 2 footers before your round so you have a positive mindset on the course.

[bm303]

I will definitely take everyone's advice into consideration and try it out at the putting green. Sorry for the misunderstanding Lefty, but thanks for the help. By the way, how do you like the new black series putters?

[Lefty731PM]

I will definitely take everyone's advice into consideration and try it out at the putting green. Sorry for the misunderstanding Lefty, but thanks for the help. By the way, how do you like the new black series putters?

My fault. No worries.

My putting has improved hugely since buying the Odyssey Black series 1 putter. (no insert). It works for me! I won't be changing.

[bm303]

Interesting. I plan on keeping this putter unless I find one that just blows my mind. I also believe that if you use a new putter your putting level is dramatically boosted for your first time out. I've tried numerous putters and said "I'm buying this today", which I am trying to avoid.

[itzzzberny]

I appreciate all of the replys. I am 15 years old and have been told by my instructor that I have potential to be a great golfer, and that I am his best student. I took a matter of about 10 lessons over the last 6 months and I am absolutely in love with the game. Yes Socrates, I am consistently improving and shooting in the high-mid 80's nearly every round. I don't have the slightest idea what my course rating/slope is, but I could tell you that many people find it extremely hard due to the 93 bunkers on the course. Water is rarely in clear play but if you can't hit out of a fairway bunker well, you're basically ruined on this course. I personally think it's a moderately easy course, but nearly everyone disagrees. Recent arm problems have prevented me from playing for the last week, but I will be start playing again hopefully this weekend, or at worst, next week. I plan on playing for my high schools varsity golf team next year, which I will be preparing all summer for. If I can improve all aspects of my game I see myself having some good rounds next year. The putting article was great, so thanks for posting that.

not to be a dick..... but isn't it possible that he just wants to milk you for $$....