I can't putt...

[LongballGer]

The whole movement just feels so unnatural. My right hand is way too dominant.

The ironic thing is that maybe once or twice a season my putter is completely on fire and I just have to look at a putt and it drops.

What could I do to improve my putting?

[klaymon]

I felt that way earlier this year. I was missing 2 footers and 3-putting way too often. I decided to pick up Stan Utley's "The Art of Putting" and adhere to it. I changed my grip, my stance, everything to match the book as best as I could. Now if I'm within 10', I plan on making it. Do I make every one? Of course not, but I feel as though I could and I'm much more confident over any putt. We actually had a "Greenskeeper's Revenge" day at my home course where they cut holes in wicked locations. I had 14 putts on the front 9 and only had 32 on the day.

After reading the book, I went to the range and praticed putting more than anything else. It's not as manly as smashing drives out to the fence, but I think it's more important.

[smith5606]

This summer has been a truly memorable one for me as I finally (after 50 years of futility) learned how to putt. Strangely, what seemed to help most was concentrating on hitting the ball in the center of my putter face. I never realized how many times I miss-hit my putts. This seems to have effected both direction and distance control a great deal. That one thing was responsible for a great deal of my improvement.

The other simple thing that seemed to help was slowing down and treating a putt with the importance it deserved. I actually look at the line from all four sides, try to estimate speed, go through a pre-putt routine, and try to strike the putt with a very still head (and body).

I know all of this sounds very simple but the results in my case were incredible. Hope some of this helps.

PS I "officially" named by putter after my granddaughter. I could never treat her or "it" without a great deal of respect now could I.

[Big Padrigo]

don't worry about mechanics too much, think you should start by developing a putting routine you're comfortable with. Then it's all in the mind. Pick a spot to aim at, uphill putts the spot should be past the hole, downhill putts the spot should be before the hole. Aim at your spot, trust what you see and go for it. May sound overly simplle but the less thinking you do when you;re putting the better.

[Everardo]

I play golf righty but I've putted left-handed with a claw grip for years and it works well for me. For me putting is all about feel and I like what Big Padrigo mentions, don't get too wrapped up in mechanics. Things that have worked for me are:

1. Getting fit for my putter. To me it just made sense that the club you use for about 1/2 of your stokes should be fit for you and your putting stroke.

2. I also had a putting green installed in my backyard and practiced a lot! My favorite drill is one like Phil uses, to make X amount of putts from certain locations and not quit or go home until it's done. Sometimes I would get this drill done in 30 minutes other times several hours. So like you mentioned, sometimes your hot and other times your not, the idea with this drill is to practice and develop consistency.

[LongballGer]

I ordered a hammy putter a couple of days ago. I think that might be the solution to my problem. I'll keep you guys updated.

[smith5606]

I play golf righty but I've putted left-handed with a claw grip for years and it works well for me. For me putting is all about feel and I like what Big Padrigo mentions, don't get too wrapped up in mechanics. Things that have worked for me are:

I hope it helps. I promise I'm not picking on you but it does amaze me how ofter we try to find solutions to our golf problems by changing equipment. I can't help but think of the putters past greats used to drill putts. Most of us would be embarassed to have one in our bags.

[Dub]

I'm with Klamon....."The Art of Putting" is certainly worth a read. I'm very glad I went along with his suggestions.

It was a fundamental change...and I was resistant at first...choosing to cling to my old ways..."I've always done it this way" was my thought. Then I came to the realization that "I'll always get this weak result".

Stan's the Man...as far as I'm concerned. He'll help you "get out of your own way" and simply the stroke. Way more natural and thoughtless....just step up and hole 'em out.

[Scott_G]

When I get into a funk with my putting I simply try something different for a while. I may go cross-handed for a few days, or use the claw for a few days, sometimes I'll just putt one handed. Anything to change it up a little. Then I'll take a couple of days off and when I come back I go back to my normal stroke.

[Sheekamoo]

The whole movement just feels so unnatural. My right hand is way too dominant.

I'm the same way. Putting is definitely the worst part of my golf game. Missing the easy 2-3 footers is the worst.

[twc]

My putting has been struggling lately as well, so I changed my grip to a reverse grip.

I also started using my other putter, for whatever reason I can't use a blade style putter. But that's all mental, getting a new putter won't help you putt better.

[microcrayfish]

The thing I find with putting is that it builds on itself. If you're confidant with your putting and trust your stroke and touch then it gets easier and easier. Confidence is the main thing. I've found that since I've been working on my putting and putting in the practice time the putts I feel I can make get longer and longer. Anything inside 10 feet I feel that I should make it, of course it doesn't always happen, but I know that my technique and skill level can produce. A few months ago that distance would have been a "get it close" distance. Expecting and believing I can make the putt means a lot more actually do drop.

Unfortunately, it can also go the other way. Things start getting a bit shaky and that 4 footer starts looking a bit dodgy. Luckily for me at least that never lasts more than a round or a few holes because in the back of my mind I still know that I can make the long ones. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you work hard at your putting you'll get better and your confidence will grow, and that's the key - when your confident you can make a putt it'll go in more than it misses.

[kc8kir]

Three biggest mistakes in putting technique (besides bad reads):

1) Moving the head or swaying the body.

2) Breaking down the wrists.

3) Excessive tension.

Ben Crenshaw, one of the best putters ever, said he felt if he held the club any easier, it would fall out of his hands. Try it some time. Place the club through the life line of your left hand and just have enough pressure to keep the club from twisting. Now just rock your shoulders. You will have much better feel, and consistently find the sweet spot on the putter (the key to consistent distance control).

[ks8829]

Putting is having positive thought and confidence in yourself.

but these tips might help:

1) focus on distance control
2) focus on making a good stroke rather than making the putt
3) swing with your shoulder and not with your hands
4) practice the prayer grip where both hands are facing each other
5) weight on the front foot
6) keep your putter head low to the ground on the backswing
7) Practice, practice and practice
8) control your distance with the length of your backswing matching the distance of your forward swing.
9) check your grip pressure and keep it light
10) check the distance from the ball by dropping a ball where your eyes are over the putt and where the ball hits the ground should be where the putter should be.
11) keep score of how many putts per round
12) arrive at least 30 minutes before you play golf and practice putting focusing on distance control and making putts within 2, 3 and 4 feet from the hole.
13) make sure your body is still and not moving.
14) have a pre-putt routine that you consistently do before every putt.
15) say you are the best putter in the world.
16) don't be afraid to try different putting styles while your are practicing.
17) have goals of having a 30 putt round, 27 putt round
18) focus on your putts and make sure they are pass the hole on every putt, ideally 17" (inches) pass the hole.
19) have fun putting and practice everyday even on your home carpet.

[bogeyhitter25]

Putting is mostly mental. Just approach your putts thinking that you will sink it, no matter what.

[Fat Slice]

I found that spending more time just looking at the hole after practice strokes and address helped a lot. I think it relaxed me, or let my subconscious get into the act, who knows? Anyway, I went from about 5 seconds to 12 seconds and it got me from 3 and 2 putting to 2 and 1 putting.

[clubhousehero]

What helps me is to remember to take a small backwsing and a longer follow-threw. this has helped me loads, especially on the shorter ones.