Good distance control but miss left n right

[elsito99]

Any tips??

I am not holing too many putts these days, missing on both sides but with good distance control.

Is this green reading? Stroke?

[CG031]

Could be a little something in your stroke. I found out the other day why I miss so many putts right, because I wasn't releasing the toe of the putter.

Make sure you're good with aim too, you not be starting it where you think you are.

If you don't already do it, try aligning the writing on your ball (titleist balls are great becasue they have the A.I.M. line) going right at the line you want to hit it on.

[elsito99]

I forgot to add that I use the line and completely trust it.

Also I generally play the same courses, so I "know" the greens. I just feel like I am misreading everything, although it could be speed related too.

Anyone in the same boat?

[wrx_junki]

I forgot to add that I use the line and completely trust it.

I am in the same boat as you. Missing way too many birdie/par putts that are very makeable. I attribute my misses to pushing and pulling putts and as well to green reading. Of course our greens don't always run true but I should be making more putts. I am going to put in extra time on the putting green while I have someone watch my stroke so I can narrow down the problem to only green reading. Need a lesson on green reading...

[elsito99]

What would entail a green reading lesson?

I pisses me off because I have a few makeable birdie putts every round but end the round with no birds.

[Zeph]

Practice hitting straight shots to a target. Or some slightly curved. If you consistently hit left and right you are obviously doing something funny in the swing.

[goblue107501]

The read could be perfect and the stroke could be perfect, but if you are lining up wrong, the ball will never go in. I would have someone (who is knowledgeable of the game) squat behind you, tell him where you are trying to hit the ball, and see if your putter is lined up to that spot. He would also be able to see if you are pushing or pulling or where you might be going wrong if it isn't the alignment.

I have a good friend who isn't a bad putter, he just can't line himself properly. When we play scrambles, I will stand right behind him and tell him where to move the putter so that he is lined up properly and he makes more than he misses. The funny thing is, if he wants to hit a ball 6 inches outside the right, he might be lined up left center of the hole and he just doesn't see it. We started doing this about a year ago and his solo putting has improved because he is starting to see what has caused him to be off line.

[elsito99]

The read could be perfect and the stroke could be perfect, but if you are lining up wrong, the ball will never go in. I would have someone (who is knowledgeable of the game) squat behind you, tell him where you are trying to hit the ball, and see if your putter is lined up to that spot. He would also be able to see if you are pushing or pulling or where you might be going wrong if it isn't the alignment.

Thanks for the tips. Only problem is I don't have friends who are better than me. Maybe I'll ask someone at the course.

Anyways another question, when you say your friend can't line himself up, do you mean reading the putt? Does he use the line on the ball? I set up the line on the ball, make sure is the read I want and align the putter perfectly with the line. The thing is I am not really sure if I am starting them on that line or if I am pushing/pulling. It is getting frustrating to shoot 82-85 when I know I had a 78 in me somewhere!

[goblue107501]

Thanks for the tips. Only problem is I don't have friends who are better than me. Maybe I'll ask someone at the course.

They don't have to be better than you. They just need to have enough knowledge of the game to know that if you want to aim at a certain spot, they know where to look

Anyways another question, when you say your friend can't line himself up, do you mean reading the putt? Does he use the line on the ball?

He has no problems with the read. He uses the line on the ball and a 3-ball putter and it still doesn't help. He is just someone who visualize the line and know where to aim. He can't look down at the putter and ball and see the line where he is aiming will take him. He has a great stroke and reads green well, he just can't line up.

One thing I have noticed with other people is that just because all the lines are lined up, it doesn't mean that is where they hit it.

[ks8829]

When I practice straight putts I start on a level surface or slightly uphill straight putt and begin from 1 foot and progress out a foot a time go out as far as I feel comfortable with my stroke and keeping the line of my putts.

when you lose the line go closer in and start again.

The faults could be:

1) too handys and not shoulder putting
2) improper grip
3) technique is one thing but confidence is important in making putts
4) light grip pressure
5) do not be afraid to try different hand positions in your set up and see what works
6) sometimes it helps to change putter and go back to your favorite putter after a few rounds.

[CarlSpackler]

You can try putting to a tee in the practice green. It makes the hole seem HUGE when you play. I don't know if your misses are less than an inch or several inches, but it might be worth a try.

[umpiremark]

Go to a corner of the practice green, far away from the holes and other putters. Find a flat or fairly flat putt, 5-8 feet long. Put a tee in the ground and with a 6-foot string attached, pull the string tight and hold it with the second tee. Putt next to this line and maintain the same distance at finish from the string as started. Off left ot right, something is amiss.

[shortstop20]

Analyze your misses, on straight putts what side do you usually miss on? On left to right breaking putts do you miss above or below the hole? .......same with right to left putts.

This will give you an idea of your tendencies.

Yesterday I was pushing everything slightly with my putter, so I made an adjustment mid round to aim a touch more left.....and wouldn't you know it I made a 15 ft. putt for birdie, another for par and about a 11 ft. putt for par as well.