Am I the worst putter for my handicap?

[MX 876]

I think the most important thing to understand is the relationship between GIR and putting average. With a high GIR, you're usually going to have a high putting average since your first putt is typically from further away than if you had chipped from somewhere around the green. At my level, I'm currently averaging 43% GIR (or 7-8 per round), and 1.85 putts per hole (33.3 putts per round). I'm almost always aiming for the center of the green on approach shots (unless I have a wedge in my hands), so when I do manage to hit the green, my 1st putt is probably going to be lengthy. From around the green, however, my wedge play usually leaves me inside 8-10 ft (even from the bunker) which is certainly a makeable range for me. Either way, I end up with shorter putts for par, but if I miss them, the difference is a 2-putt vs a 3-putt even though the result is a bogey. During a recent round I finished with 30 putts (normally very good), but only hit 2 greens in regulation (horrible ball-striking and gusty winds), leading to an ugly score that day. Don't get me wrong, I think putting well is the key to scoring well, but I'm just pointing out that putts per round alone probably isn't the best way to determine how well you're actually putting.

[Gerardv]

hit it closer

That's just mean.

[ASUslacker]

I think the most important thing to understand is the relationship between GIR and putting average. With a high GIR, you're usually going to have a high putting average since your first putt is typically from further away than if you had chipped from somewhere around the green. At my level, I'm currently averaging 43% GIR (or 7-8 per round), and 1.85 putts per hole (33.3 putts per round). I'm almost always aiming for the center of the green on approach shots (unless I have a wedge in my hands), so when I do manage to hit the green, my 1st putt is probably going to be lengthy. From around the green, however, my wedge play usually leaves me inside 8-10 ft (even from the bunker) which is certainly a makeable range for me. Either way, I end up with shorter putts for par, but if I miss them, the difference is a 2-putt vs a 3-putt even though the result is a bogey. During a recent round I finished with 30 putts (normally very good), but only hit 2 greens in regulation (horrible ball-striking and gusty winds), leading to an ugly score that day. Don't get me wrong, I think putting well is the key to scoring well, but I'm just pointing out that putts per round alone probably isn't the best way to determine how well you're actually putting.

Never thought of this, but you do make a good point.

But one of my goals is to be able to two putt from any distance on the green so that is why i always look at trying to average 36 putts a round. Alright I have been practicing about every other day with some drills someone sent me on the forum and I have a 3:15 Tee time tomorrow, so I'll post what happens.

[sumo]

No you are not the worst just practice alot. You will get better.

[kris]

I'm about the same cap as you, shoot in the low 90s. I haven't calculated my average but I'd think it'd be about the same as yours. It's not uncommon for me to have 40 putts and it drives me freaking insane every time.

[Duffy]

Hi Kris. Pracyice putting is the most boring part of the game for me but it's an absolutely critical part of your practice sessions. I typically spend about 1-1/2 hours to 2 hrs. on the putting green 2-3 times per week. I has become a fairly good ptter but it takes work. Good Luck.

[kris]

Hi Kris. Pracyice putting is the most boring part of the game for me but it's an absolutely critical part of your practice sessions. I typically spend about 1-1/2 hours to 2 hrs. on the putting green 2-3 times per week. I has become a fairly good ptter but it takes work. Good Luck.

Yeah, I need the practice obviously but I don't have enough time at the moment to work on it

[drtbk933]

You guys think your bad? Haha. I played Thursday and had a good ball striking round (minus a few shots), and had I believe 26 putts for 9 holes. I shot a 55. I think I had two 4-putts, four 3-putts, and three 2-putts. If I would have only 2-putted, I could have shot a 47. On the #6 par-5 I was on in 4 (duffed 2nd shot, 2 yds short third shot) and was 12 ft out. First putt missed by three or four foot, lipped second putt, lipped third putt, then sank the fourth putt for an 8. The other four-putt was on the #5 par-3. I was on it two with about a 25 ft putt for par. Was about 10 ft short, missed the second one by a foot, lipped the third, then sank the fourth. I believe this is do to me switching to a jumbo SuperStroke putter grip. That thing made me lose all feel and distance control. Before switching grips, I had maybe one or two 3-putts per 9 holes. I have just about changed my whole golf game in the last two weeks and have been doing good from the tee to the green, but once I'm on the green I lose it. I need to do something.
Zach

[Gerardv]

You know - I have to think arguing over who is the worst putter isn't doing a lot for our mindset!

[right handed phil mickelson]

The largest amount of putts that I can remember having in one round is 42. On this handicap haha. I was playing about a month ago at a different course (I never play there, and now I know why). I couldn't read the greens to save my life. I still ended up with an 81 or 82 I think. Not too bad, but my goodness, 42 putts?! for a 4 handicap?!

Anyway, I think at your level you shouldn't be focusing too much on your handicap and stats to get better. What you should be doing is learning all about your swing (how it's unique, what do you need to feel to hit it good, and trust that you can do it consistently), and you need to fix anything in that swing if need be. By then, your handicap should be around a 10. From there, work on handicap a little bit, and the statistics in your game. Then work on course management (what I need to work on), and THEN you can have fun haha

Im jk. Good luck improving your putting!

~RHPM

[cody west]

no you definantly are not. i just shot 1 under 71 with litterally 7 lip outs from inside 10 feet

[ASUslacker]

Alright updating old ass thread.
Been practicing 10-15 min everyday (on carpet but better then nothing) and have changed to a left hand below right hand grip (right handed) and have seen some improvment.

I feel the left hand pulling through the ball instead of my right hand trying to hit the ball. Played a par 3 course and finished with 35 putts and even a 18 foot birdie putt .

So there is still hope for me, which means there is hope for everybody.

[ks8829]

If you two putt every hole you will have 36 putts. Pros putt as low as 23 - 28 putts per round.

Many times if you one putt its because you are chipping well and getting up and down, also remember not to count putts on the fringe and only on the putting surface.

Putting is straight line putting and distance control and with a little work you can become an excellent putter.

Putting requires practice and with practice you gain confidence. some helpful hints for putting:

1) distance control is determine by the length of your backstroke and forward stroke
2) find your what works for you
3) have a pre-putt routine and stick with it
4) get to the course early and practice putting at least 30 minutes before you tee off
5) practice putting everyday
6) check your putting grip, posture, putting stroke
7) learn to read greens and compensate for uphill and down hill putts
8) make putting the strongest part of your game with practice

[ET-Taylor]

Usually i putt and chip quite well 30 putts or less but my driving stinks but the other day in the medal drive drove it better and had about 36 - 40 putts

[Brakkus]

Frustrating when I'm on with a chance for par and end up with double bogey.Highlight today played a 500 yd par 5 into a stiff breeze.Actually reached green in 4 shots,chipped went a few feet past one putt for a 6,really happy,but I am now seeing how inadequate my putting has been.It has been masked while oyher parts of my game were poorer.Now I'm hitting greens in 2 or 3 shots all of a sudden I have reasonable 15-20 ft putts for par and take 3 to get down.It's fear of the first putt and I'm always short never long unless it's downhill.If I become a competent putter then I'm already in mid handicap range

[Chas]

its all about speed

This is true for me. I dropped my handicap a good few when I started to trust my line (along with actually reading it better), but I'm having a harder time getting the speed right. You gots to have both if there's much of a break.

I'm spending more time on that vicious practice green at Torrey. I used to find it soooo frustrating but lately I'm starting to actually enjoy it.