Variations of the Putting Stroke

[Bignose]

Putting is always an interesting stroke, because it is one of the very, very few places on the golf course where you can almost be as individualized as you want. Almost every variation you can think of has been done. From players who intentionally cut the ball, or intentionally pull them, or long "gravity driven" swings or short jabby swings, they are all out there, and they all work for certian people. Not to mention, the very wide variety of ways to grip the club -- reverse overlaps and normal overlaps, and left-hand lows, and claws, and giant fat grips, etc.

In putting, the 100% most important aspect is consistency. You have to know what the ball is going to do with your stroke, whatever that may be. Now, knowing the fundamentals of what kind of swing you want to accomplish can help with that consistency. But, the biggest thing is practice. Lots and lots and lots of practice.

Putting can be a lot more about individual style because of the wide design of putter out there and because the goal of putting is different than a lot of other shots in golf. Putting is about getting the ball rolling in the right direction with the right speed. A lot of the other shots in golf is about hitting the ball hard and accurately. In order to hit the other clubs consistently, you have to swing them on plane and hit the center of the clubface. With putting, it helps to hit the center of the face, but it isn't an absolute necessity -- there have been players who putt of the heels or the toes of their putters, for example. They could do that because they knew how the ball was going to roll off the toe or heel, from loads of practice/experience.

I think that the most important thing is to pick one method that you like and them give is a good long chance to work. Exact same thing with a putter. You have to give yourself a chance to get used to your stroke and your putter -- constantly changing to chase the perfect stroke or feel you'll never get used to one. Unless you are a putting natural, it's probably going to require lots of practice and work to perfect your stroke. Like most everything else in golf, there isn't really a shortcut.

[clubmaker15]

Seems to depend on what putter you are using. I am using a MacGregor GT Series and has a high MOI. Since their is little twisting at impact, I use the square-impact-square swing for best results. Also, it is easier than worrying about going inside and getting it square once at impact.