Putting Distance

[ks8829]

Does anybody putt with only distance control in mind?

I practice putting with 98% focus on distance control and not really critical of the line for putts of 10 feet and longer.

1) I notice a change in my attitude, I was calmer and more relaxed, maybe because I was not expecting to make any putts but to get focused on getting the ball around the green, but I notice that I made a few putts because the speed was there. Also if I missed or made a putt it was no big deal because the focus was mostly on distance control.
2) Putts within 10 feet I would line up and focus on my speed
3) I also found that I struck my putts more solid consistently with my right elbow is against my body

I am going to try this tomorrow when I play and see if my putting improves.
anybody else have tried this method?

[FlopShotArtist]

Any putt that I usually do not make more than half the time, I'll just go for distance. So about 15+ ft, I just go for distance.

[Fourputt]

In practice I feel I need to try to make putts within 20 feet to keep my focus the same as it is when I'm playing. I don't ever want to get the mindset that I'm satisfied with just lagging, even though there are lots of situations where a good lag is key to a good score. It's just that 20 feet is realistically a makable putt, so I practice as I play. For longer putts, then I'll focus more on just trying to 2 putt.

I usually practice with no more than 2 balls, often with only 1, to more closely simulate the same feeling as I have on the course where I only have the one chance to hit a good putt.

[Southpaw]

I have a line marked on my ball which I use to align myself. That way 100% of my putting stroke is concentrated on speed. It's been working fantastically so far.

[GaijinGolfer]

My goal is usually a 2-putt (unless the ball is within 10' of the hole). On my first putt Im more concerned with getting the ball to stop as close to the hole as possible, that way I am almost assured a tap-in and dont need to worry about the dreaded 3-putt.
So, yes, I do focus more on distance control that getting the line absolutely right. I do try to read the break and play into it though.

[mruseless]

I have a line marked on my ball which I use to align myself. That way 100% of my putting stroke is concentrated on speed. It's been working fantastically so far.

I do the same thing. Works great.

According to some statistics that I read (I think that recent long-game study), the "mid-handicapper" has a 50% breakpoint at about 5 feet. I.e, his percentage of 1-putts from 5 feet is about 50%. Pro's are 50% at about 8 feet. So I work hard on 5 foot and 6 foot putts, and anything outside that is generally focused on speed. But like everyone, I've made a few 30 footers out of sheer luck. My reasoning is that if I'm confident and somewhat skilled at 5-footers, then there is less pressure on me for the long ones, and less disappointment when I miss a 30 footer by 5 feet. I'm more confident on my come-back putt.