Do you hover or ground your putter?

[kfowler]

As I've really started to work on my putting, I was considering how I have always ground my putter before my stroke. In this I mean I allow the putter head to rest on the ground. I'm starting to think this is causing some of my putting issues. I know the club can feel like it gets caught on the grass during the back stroke. This can certainly mess up your feel and stroke.

I've been practicing hovering instead of grounding.

Any thoughts on what you do?

[Zeph]

Never had problems with the clubhead getting caught in the grass. As I do with every other club in the bag, I also ground my putter. Makes me feel better connected with the ground and in a more relaxed position, ready for the stroke or swing.

[Futuresport]

I think as long as you don't get lazy...

I tend to 'rest' my clubs on the ground rather than hover. but I visualize it more as I'm placing or putting the club behind the ball. I think the trick is finding which set up keeps tension out of your swing/putting stroke without sacrificing steadiness. this is where swinging a weighted club (when warming up or during your practice sessions) can build that rock solid steady hand for you. I have a weighted putter thats turned my putting stroke into a very steady swing I can rely on.

I have a buddy who rests his putter head/club head, and then right before his stroke, picks it up and hovers it for a second before pulling back. I think he's nuts, but he can rely on it

you also don't want to move the ball when its in the rough by resting your club head right behind it

[Dub]

I hover the putter.

[kfowler]

I think my issue is I almost end up leaning on the putter when I ground it. It's subtle but enough to cause problems.

[Beantown Beancounter]

hover putter and driver...I actually ground my putter, then hover a second or two before I start my backswing...

[Jay-Bird]

I ground my putter, unless the Kansas wind is howling.

[lumpuckeroo]

I ground my putter, unless the Kansas wind is howling.

Same for me!

[HytrewQasdfg]

I have a buddy who rests his putter head/club head, and then right before his stroke, picks it up and hovers it for a second before pulling back. I think he's nuts, but he can rely on it

I've gotten into this habit with ALL my clubs.

It feels to me that if I have the club resting on the ground, my muscles are too relaxed because they aren't supporting the weight of the club. So when I start my backswing, my muscles aren't ready for the sudden weight of the club and BOOM I'm off plane. If I'm just slightly hovering the club when I start my backswing, I don't have to worry about any tension changes when the clubhead lifts off the ground. I can't remember for sure, but I believe it was Nickalus that advocated this.

[MI Rob]

I ground the putter, then hover and make my stroke.

[David in FL]

I prefer to ground the putter.

[VOX]

I also ground unless it is windy. So many golfers think it is unfair to be penalized if the ball is "moved by the wind" after they have grounded their putter, but it is a completely avoidable penalty.

[Nickynoodles]

I tend to set my ball and find my line. With out grounding my putter taking a full practice stroke holding it at the end and invisioning my line. Pull back and take one more practice stroke with out grounding it. Hover it to behind the ball (wiggle) Then take my stroke. I believe whatever works best for you never stop doing. Im not a fan of changing a good thing. In best ball tournaments with my buddies i am by far the best putter.