Your Putting Style: Utley or Pelz?

[powerfade]

I was trying what I thought was the Utley method the other day just to humor myself. It was ugly!
It seemed like every stroke had a different arc shape .

I'm not sure if you picked up on my earlier post that I putt cross-handed. It allows me to keep the putter online longer. It's probably allowing me to keep the hands and wrists quiet as well.

[powerfade]

This same explanation would have to be rendered for someone that thinks they putt straight back, straight through. There's the arc + the manipulation to try to move the putter path in a straight back straight through manner = more manipulation than the arc method. More moving parts => more chances of variation => more inconsistency.

I see the main argument regarding the Pelz stroke is the need to manipulate your arms, wrists, and/or hands. Some of us are saying/thinking/doing this without the manipulation. I can't explain why I can do this (or think I do this). We've really beatin' this one up.

The other relates to moving the shoulders around the spine. I have a problem with that statement because the shoulders are rocking (or tilting), not spinning around something (per say). It seems to me that if the shoulders were spinning around the spine, that would create a perfect arc because the arms are hanging down. That's probably the Utley method?

[EXMAX]

The problem is that people believe they have to fit into a specific group, and the media and coaches add to that belief.
If you all were to go on the SAM system (dont use the TOMI it doesnt work )to see what you actually do, i can pretty much guarantee that
the stroke wont be straight back and through
nor will it be a symmetrical arc

bottom line is you can make anything work and if the face is square at impact it will go along that line
you can chop across a ball at 45 deg and still make it roll straight

the movement pattern has to be what YOU do no one else and the patterns you create are as unique as your signature
which can also change on a day to day basis

[powerfade]

It's not a problem for me...I've putted using this particular style for 20 years. I read the Pelz Putting Bible this past year and thought, cool, I already putt like he's teaching. I took a few tips from the book and checkpoints and went from there. I was mainly interested in his green-reading sections.

I would venture to say that most who have played for years and follow Utley (arc) or Pelz' (SBST) methods, have always done it. This stuff isn't new.

SAM?
TOMI?

[EXMAX]

SAM is a device that measure what the actual stroke does with a very high degree of accuracy
TOMI says it does the same but doesnt

[x-forged]

definately Pelz style for me. Straight back and straight through, pendulum style.

[Neil]

I go for Pelz. I feel if you focus on straight back and through the stroke stays solid. In reality if my stroke was closely analyzed I don't doubt that it might go slightly inside however that's not what I'd ever concentrate upon.

[nykfan4life]

Yesterday I tried pelz. Didn't really work, although I was able to make my arc less pronounced.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Im more of a sqaure back and square through kind of putter. With a little half moon arc up and down through the ball. The head finishes facing up a little bit. I didnt know this was known as the "pelz" style though.

[Wisco-Kid]

I like straight back - straight through because it seems easier for me to identify if I am making a good stroke. I can tell easier if it is not straight vs. a curve. The path seems a bit more confusing curved. However, I do agree that is less natural at first to stroke straight back and through. But I have been doing it so long it seems pretty comfortable now.

[BASHERBAKER69]

Ive got a style all of my own- i like to 'draw' my putts.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Ive got a style all of my own- i like to 'draw' my putts.

wut?...lol..

[BASHERBAKER69]

i like to hook my putts to get the right roll- ive you 'fade' your putts you will never get the ball rolling properly. When ive finished a putt, my putter face is pointing left of the target ( i am right handed).

[DavidFehertysBike]

i like to hook my putts to get the right roll- ive you 'fade' your putts you will never get the ball rolling properly. When ive finished a putt, my putter face is pointing left of the target ( i am right handed).

Thats really weird..lol.

[BASHERBAKER69]

i don't think thats weird at all. I always aim to'draw' my putts, as that encourages the right roll and the right strike. You should try it- i am a legitimate 5 handicapper- it works.

If you hit the putt with the hosel leading the strike you will not get a good roll. If you hit a putt and the toe end is leading you will get a much more positive roll. Think about it- it is virtually impossible to get the putter or any club for that matter at impact square, ie in the position it was at address.

[iacas]

This...

When ive finished a putt, my putter face is pointing left of the target ( i am right handed).

and this...

If you hit a putt and the toe end is leading you will get a much more positive roll.

... are not the same thing.

Think about it- it is virtually impossible to get the putter or any club for that matter at impact square, ie in the position it was at address.

I think every good putter would disagree with you. That's the goal, and it can be accomplished. If you're "hooking" (pulling) every one of your putts, it requires the same amount of precision. Getting the face 5° closed every time requires the same precision as getting back to square every time.

Inside-square-inside putters end with the putter facing left at the finish, too. Doesn't mean we're "drawing" putts or hitting them with the toe "leading." It "passes" the heel just after impact, but it doesn't "lead" through impact.

[Mhinderaker]

I finally stopped fighting it and just started letting myself putt naturally.

Arc all the way. I didn't miss inside of 7 feet yesterday so I must be doing SOMETHING right.

[dfresh]

I said Utley. I have tried straight Peltz, but found it was way to mechanical for me. It worked well on the practice green but I think Utley's method is more natural and easier to execute on the course.

I voted Utley, also. I was so relieved when I read his books late last summer, and realized I didn't have to digest all 1,000 pages (ok, I don't know if it's quite that many, but it's a LOT!) of Pelz's books. I own both of Dave's "Bibles" but even as much as I like reading about the golf swing, I just get lost in the minutiae of his approach. Stan's emphasis on natural positions and simple feel were a tremendous help to me. I did struggle initially with understanding Utley's sand shot, but I got it figured out now. I can see how Mickelson would have time to get Pelz's methods down, but I don't see how I ever could.