Yet another putting question...

[timastyle]

I did a search but couldn't find anything that was specific to my issue. As it is right now, I don't have all that much confidence in my putting. I mean I'm good enough to two putt (maybe 1 three putt) through a course. I seldom make any one putts and the ones I do register are either tap ins from a nice chip shot or what I think is a lucky putt.

My issue is this...I feel as though I am not hitting the ball in the sweet spot hardly. What typically tends to happen is that I hit the ball with the bottom of my putter. This usually causes a shorter roll, but I still get it to the hole (the way I know this is that when I actually do hit it on the sweet spot, the balls goes flying past the hole). I am putting too much force into my shots to get it to the hole due to the off center hits.

Any thoughts on what can be causing this or what I can do to fix my problem?

I was doing some research on google and noticed that they said to play the ball in the middle of your stance. I generally play the ball on the heel of the left foot (I remember reading that in a magazine or something years ago and so that's what I stuck with). Could this be the reason why I'm catching the ball with the bottom edge of my putter face? I haven't had a chance to try out how things work with the ball in the middle of my stance. I will when I get home from work though tonight.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Disastrous]

I have had an amazing turn around in the way I practice after getting "Phil Mickelson's Secrets of the Short Game". The explanation on putting and how to practice are very good in my opinion. I specifically like how he says he incorporates memories of performing his putting drill right before hitting a putt. His drill has him hit 100 3 footers in a row so while on the course he merely says 87... (practice put) 88... (actual putt).

[timastyle]

That drill would be helpful but that doesn't have anything to do with helping me hit the ball with the bottom edge of my putter rather than the sweet spot.

[Disastrous]

Without seeing you putt it would be hard to tell you what you are doing. If you are hitting with the bottom of the putter I would think it is your setup or you are allowing your wrists to flip instead of following through. I suggested the DVD because it was one of the best I have seen on putting from setup, follow through, and practice. Good luck working it out and hopefully someone who is a better teacher than I can chime in.

[timastyle]

Sorry if what I said came off wrong. I was referring to the 100 3 foot putts, not the video. I don't think I flip my wrists.

When I try and keep a light grip, I don't feel as though I'm I have control of the putter (feels floppy) and when I grip it tighter, it feels restricted. I guess I haven't been able to find a happy medium and by keeping a lighter grip, I may be flipping my wrist. I try and just use my shoulders and arms but when I was practicing at home earlier, it felt that I had a little bit of a sway.

Nothing I'm doing just feels right at the moment. ???

[Disastrous]

I have an unorthodox putting grip. I grip it just like any other club but extend my right index finger down along the right side of the shaft. Makes everything seem solid for me.

[squaddie]

I generally play the ball on the heel of the left foot (I remember reading that in a magazine or something years ago and so that's what I stuck with). Could this be the reason why I'm catching the ball with the bottom edge of my putter face?

Possibly. If you are using a straight-back-straight-through (SBST) style stroke then the ball should be (per Pelz) two inches in front of the bottom of your swing arc. If your ball is any further forward your swing plane may have it's lowest point behind the ball, which is why you are hitting it on the bottom edge. I typically have the ball directly under my left eye, assuming my swing arc bottom is two inches behind that. Ideally with SBST you should be rocking your shoulders like a pendulum. Your grip should be firm enough so the wrists don't break. If you feel like the putter is wobbling then you might be using your wrists or arms to swing the putter through rather than relying more on the shoulders. Or you might be moving the putter too quickly on the downswing. After you trigger the backswing your shoulders should rock back with the momentum of the putter head's weight, and also help it along on the downswing to accelerate through the ball. I usually pause at the top of the backswing to feel the weight of the club start to reverse it's direction. Also it's very important your eye does _not_ leave the ball on the backswing and downswing. Moving your eye or head could lead to variances in the swing path. It doesn't sound you are using the arc-style/Utley method, as you would probably have experienced a weak hit from the toe of your putter if the ball was too forward in your stance.

[McGolf-Doggie]

I generally play the ball on the heel of the left foot

That right there would explain why wou catch it with the bottom edge of your putter as you surmised.

By the left heel would not be at the bottom of a pendulum swing arc. And even an SBST stroke is going to have some kind of arc in the vertical plane. I'd adjust the ball position right away; just ever so slightly forward of center, is recommended in some places. I confess I don't think about it much as I'm more of an instinct putter and try to let my feet position themselves instinctively according to how they feel the green (underfoot) and the stroke about to take place.

[is2linda]

Okay first, what type of putter do you have (mallet or blade). Whats the weight balance (Toe or Face balanced). What kinda hosel do you have. Does the length fit your swing?

Aligning the ball on the left heel like a driver is certainly not an orthodox method of putting. Unless your club is really long or something, its generally something i wouldnt do. On my blade, toe weighted, plumber neck hosel, i generally have it a little bit left of center, like im hitting a 5 iron. That way, my hands are in front at the moment of impact, producing more speed and better feel.

First answer those questions. Each spec of putter has a different way to putt it. If it still doesnt work out, send us a clip of your putting stroke.

[timastyle]

Ok, so I have two putter I've been going back and forth on. The first is a Scotty stainless 34" (not sure about the weight balance or hosel) and the other is a vintage Ping Anser 2 34.5" red dot (again, not sure about the weight balance or hosel). Both are blade style, as I just switched from mallet (TM Spider). I think I have made up my mind and going to stick with the Scotty as the Ping just has a dead feel to me. I have a slight arc, but I try and do a SBST stroke for consistency.

[Elvisliveson]

Ok, so I have two putter I've been going back and forth on. The first is a Scotty stainless 34" (not sure about the weight balance or hosel) and the other is a vintage Ping Anser 2 34.5" red dot (again, not sure about the weight balance or hosel). Both are blade style, as I just switched from mallet (TM Spider). I think I have made up my mind and going to stick with the Scotty as the Ping just has a dead feel to me. I have a slight arc, but I try and do a SBST stroke for consistency.

If you are committed to the Scotty I would abandon your efforts to use a SBST putting stroke. All Scottys are designed with toe hang to some degree to promote an ARC type stroke.

[timastyle]

Then I will do that. I will work on the arc stroke. Last night when I tried playing the ball in the middle of my stance, I still seemed to be hitting on the bottom. It's got me wondering if I lift up the club just a hair on the follow through. I'm just lost...

[timastyle]

Ok, so I keep working on the arc and I am finding it a little difficult to come around on the follow through. By come around, I mean that it's not closing the face. It's in a way where I would be pushing the putt. What can I do to help come around on the follow through?

[right handed phil mickelson]

What you need to do is try and keep the face straight back and through. No opening or closing at all. That just makes it so unpredictable for a person at your handicap level (no offense). Just try and keep it as straight as you can back and through the putt.

[timastyle]

Well here's what the deal is...because of the putter I'm using (Scotty Stainless), one of the other replies stated that it is toe weighted and because it's toe weighted, a straight back and straight through stroke doesn't work.

I didn't take any offense to your comment but let me explain some things about my game. I'm not actually a 20 handicap. I just put something down when I was signing up to this site. I really don't know what my handicap is and have never kept track. I typically play bogey or less ball.

Another question about your comment about the handicap...what difference does it make what handicap you are? What I mean, and I'm not trying to be rude here, is shouldn't you learn the right way or what works for you and the putter you're using rather than concentrating on what handicap you're at? If I take your comment and assume that because I'm a higher handicap player I concentrate on SBST, when I get to a lower handicap, am I to change my putting style to an arc because I'm a lower handicap?

[right handed phil mickelson]

No. I'm assuming since your handicap is a higher number, that you probably haven't been playing for very long. From that I took that you would have a hard time being consistent with the 'around' stroke, and would benefit way more from the SBST technique.

Also, it really doesn't matter if the club is toe weighted or not. That just means that the sweet spot will be more towards the heel of the club. If you hit it on the sweet spot, then it will go straight every time. It doesn't matter if most of the weight is at the toe, or at the heel. If you hit it on the sweet spot (if it's manufactured right), then the club face will be straight at impact.

[timastyle]

That makes a lot more sense. Thanks for the clarification. I understand your line of thinking now. As far as not playing very long, that's not accurate. I've actually been playing for 16 years, off and on, although more off than on. I never took lessons and have been self taught.

I have been playing a lot lately and don't plan on letting up. Consistency is an issue of mine that it doesn't allow me to lower my scores just yet, but I'm working on it and will likely get lessons to help improve.

Putting has always been an issue in that I've never felt comfortable ith it. I've tried many different putting grips and putters and I have haven't gotten the click factor where I feel that I got it all down.

[Drifterland]

Do my putting drill dude!