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Pre-shot Putting??


alexlax12
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I've read a lot of literature and seen many interviews with pros about how they go about a pre-shot putting rutine. For the majority, I would say its relatively the same for most of them. They take a look at the putt from several angles, judging break, speed, etc, then many use a line on their ball, and line that up with the line they want their putt to start on. However, my question is, I have been watching the Masters and observing Tiger, Vigay, Tim Clark, Retief, and several others, once it's their turn to putt, the first thing they do it put their ball down with the line on their ball, on the line of their putt, but then they walk around and check out the green. If they have already chosen a line for the putt (by placing their ball down with the line on it), why are they walking around to look at the green again? And then afterwords, dont re-line up the ball??
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I've read a lot of literature and seen many interviews with pros about how they go about a pre-shot putting rutine. For the majority, I would say its relatively the same for most of them. They take a look at the putt from several angles, judging break, speed, etc, then many use a line on their ball, and line that up with the line they want their putt to start on. However, my question is, I have been watching the Masters and observing Tiger, Vigay, Tim Clark, Retief, and several others, once it's their turn to putt, the first thing they do it put their ball down with the line on their ball, on the line of their putt, but then they walk around and check out the green. If they have already chosen a line for the putt (by placing their ball down with the line on it), why are they walking around to look at the green again? And then afterwords, dont re-line up the ball??

I've seen Tiger re-adjust the line of his ball before, yes.

I do a similar thing. While I'm waiting to putt I'm reading the green. Oftentimes I'll set the ball down and walk back. If I didn't get the line quite right (I use a logo on the ball, not a Sharpie line), I'll re-mark and adjust. Sometimes, I re-mark not because my line is different but because I change my mind on the speed, which then necessitates a different line. Only when it looks right from behind am I confident enough to come at it from the side and trust that it's started on the line I want.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
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  • 4 weeks later...
I've read a lot of literature and seen many interviews with pros about how they go about a pre-shot putting rutine. For the majority, I would say its relatively the same for most of them. They take a look at the putt from several angles, judging break, speed, etc, then many use a line on their ball, and line that up with the line they want their putt to start on. However, my question is, I have been watching the Masters and observing Tiger, Vigay, Tim Clark, Retief, and several others, once it's their turn to putt, the first thing they do it put their ball down with the line on their ball, on the line of their putt, but then they walk around and check out the green. If they have already chosen a line for the putt (by placing their ball down with the line on it), why are they walking around to look at the green again? And then afterwords, dont re-line up the ball??

They normally do this to confirm there original read in their head, to convince themselves that "yes this is definately the right read for this pace".

I mark my ball with a line if you are interested. The big thing you have to understand if you want to mark your ball with a line is how pros get the ball to roll end over end, they do this by reading "true break" not "visible break". Tiger Woods when he holes a putt rolls end over end, you ask anybody to line a putt up where they think it breaks and putt it, if it goes in it will not be rolling end over end! They read "visible break" not "true break". This is due to what was a BIG discovery in the golfing world called "The Amazing Truth about Putting" that every golfer (proffesional or amatuer Jack Nicklaus used to aswell) compensates for the lack of reading true break. IF you are interested in the way of holing more putts and reading true break have a look on the internet for Dave Pelz True Break, or Dave Pelz Putting Bible Chapter 7- Green Reading. It will without a doubt if you stick to it improve your putting, the pros all do it now (Darren Clarke is a classic example of who doesn't but he holes putts bcus he practices the "visible break" way so much "true break" is best! Look at his putting stroke it changes for the type of break!!)

In My Bag:
Driver: Trusty Taylormade 8.5 R580 X Stiff Graffaloy Blue
Wood: Titleist 980F 17.0 (4 wood) Precison Rifle 6.5
Irons: Ben Hogan Apex Plus (3-9i) Precision Rifle 6.5
Wedges: Titleist Vokey 200 series 48,52,56,60Putter:MacGregor M5K "Bobby Grace"Ball: Pro V1

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Note: This thread is 6568 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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