Putting Routine

[becksfan2185]

I looked to see if there were any similar threads, and didn't see any... but it may have been discussed before.

What is your pre-putting routine?

I ask 1) just out of curiosity and 2) I am curious to see if my method is commonly used.

My pre-putting routine is to take a few practice strokes behing the ball, perpendicular to the target line, then stepping up directly to the ball and striking it. The vast majority of pre-putt routines I see on TV and with playing partners include a few practice strokes next to the ball before actually striking it. Is it weird that I prefer not to take any practice strokes standing over the ball? It could just be in my head, but I feel like it messes with my allignment...

[PiKapp23]

My putting routine is pretty simple and fast. First, when I get to green I mark my ball and clean. When it's my turn I place my ball with the seam markings (such as Pro-V1 or whatever) facing the hole, but the ball is turned in such a way that I can't see either side stamp or seam markings. After placing ball I take 5 steps back from ball and squat to see line, then I step up, take 2 practice strokes (watching the arc of my putter), then address ball, place feet and stroke the putt. I've basically done this same routine for 7 or 8 years now. I used to get a little sloppy sometimes and not take practice strokes or step back to look at line, but I found I was more consistent when I always followed this routine, so now I do.

[iacas]

My putting routine was shared here .

[Troof.]

You don't like taking ANY practice strokes before? How do you get a feel for how hard to hit the putt?

[becksfan2185]

Thanks for the link iacas... I hadn't stumbled accross that article yet and there's some good stuff in there.

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but the longer I stand over the ball before I putt (making practice swings), the less confidence I have in the line of my putt. I'm feel much better about my line if I approach it directly from behind the ball and just square up and swing.

[Power_fade]

1st. Squat down behind the ball and read the break. I do that in a weird way. I take the putter head and aim it towards where I need to aim the ball using my right hand as a guide. I repeat that on the other side of the hole if there is a double break or if it's a really long one. This is also how I determine the up/downhill break.
2nd. Carefully put the putter head behind the ball in the exact position I read the break in. Square up my stance, also very carefully as to not move the head.
3rd. Take a few backswings to get the right power. (No stroke, just backswing.)
4th. Putt!!!

It's weird, but effective.

[Jared]

I don't take a whole lot of time over putts (or any other shots for that matter). I usually make one or two practice strokes while looking at the hole. The only thing that I make sure of every time is, my final look at the hole lasts about 5 or 10 seconds or so, and when I go back to the ball I hit it right away. That way the last thing in my head is the target.

[Troof.]

Sounds like you're thinking too much. You need to be commited when you putt. Start drawing a line on your ball, then set the putter to the ball so the line matches up. You won't be thinking about the line anymore, just the feel for the speed.