Putter woes (now doubting myself lol)

[DavidFehertysBike]

For the last 2 months, ive really struggled with realesing the toe of the putter. Ive tried every alignment drill and adjustment i could, and i still hang the face slighty open. Ive been thinking of going to a mid-mallet facebalanced putter like the scotty cameron fastback. Ive been using heel/toe anser style putters since i picked up the game, so i have no expereince with face balanced putters.

Anyone else made this change in equipment before? Its a rather large one for me. Anyone game the scotty fastback before?

[deronsizemore]

I've been having my own putting woes the last year or so. Just can't seem to make anything. I have some good days and then some really bad days; no consistency.

I've tried the FastBack and didn't care for it really. I like the looks of it, but the head seems too small or something. I believe it's not totally faced balanced either, but considered "nearly" faced balanced.

I've actually been looking at this putter: http://rifeputters.com/products/isla...ados-black-cs/

[ks8829]

For the last 2 months, ive really struggled with realesing the toe of the putter. Ive tried every alignment drill and adjustment i could, and i still hang the face slighty open. Ive been thinking of going to a mid-mallet facebalanced putter like the scotty cameron fastback. Ive been using heel/toe anser style putters since i picked up the game, so i have no expereince with face balanced putters.

What putting style do you use? square back square through or Stan Utley circular putting stroke?

[DavidFehertysBike]

True, but its got to hang less than the newport i use now. That smallish look of the head was one of the things that made me think of it. But im open to any model. The rife youre eyeing got looks pretty sweet. I like the finish.

[DavidFehertysBike]

What putting style do you use? square back square through or Stan Utley circular putting stroke?

Im not fully sure, but when i was putting well back in july/august it felt like i was almost hooking the ball. Now i cant get it back. When i over-do it i pull the putt badly. I dont feel the head arc, but im sure it does.

[ks8829]

Have you had someone watch you putting and make any suggestions.

Have you thought of sending a video of you putting. I see swing videos but you might be the first putting video on this forum.

Sometimes just watching the great putters and copying something that they do might help your putting.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Have you had someone watch you putting and make any suggestions.

No, i havent gotten anyone to look at my stroke. Putting is the one aspect of my game that ive taken complete ownership over, so i havent sought pro help or anything. And short of brad faxon or somebody coming along, i doubt ill take a physical putting lesson from anyone. But id be open to suggestions so maybe ill try the video thing.

[Mr Taylormade]

try keeping your left elbow tucked in tight to your side and allow your left hang freely. get used to it and go back to normal gradualy and you'll work it into your swing. hope it helps

[hfhjr]

I am having the same problem on short putting. I have a Rife Bimini, which is a Wilson 8802 style, toe down. I putt very well with an arcing stroke on long putts, but can't let the toe release on short putts. Very interested in comments.

[FHopper]

I read recently to shorten your backswing and lengthen your follow through, that makes a lot of sense to me.

[DavidFehertysBike]

I dont think the lenth of the stroke is my issue and why im considering changing the style of putter i use. The lenth will always change depending on the putt. And its not like im 3 jackin greens - im just not getting the putts i should be making to drop and im turning 73's and 74's into 79's. Nearly all of my misses over the last few months have been a half ball to the right. So its not much im talking about, but its been enough to miss makeable putts.

[ks8829]

I bet it something very simple like eye position over the ball, hand position or grip that can be easily corrected.

Is it 3 to 5 foot putts that you are pushing?

[deronsizemore]

True, but its got to hang less than the newport i use now. That smallish look of the head was one of the things that made me think of it. But im open to any model. The rife youre eyeing got looks pretty sweet. I like the finish.

Yeah, definitely would have less hang. Looks like they've released a couple new squareback models with different necks too. Yeah I like the black finish. I've liked putters I've seen online before until I actually try them. I'm really hoping I like this one though.

[DavidFehertysBike]

I bet it something very simple like eye position over the ball, hand position or grip that can be easily corrected.

Im pretty much losing every thing a little right. Even the 3 to 5 footers rim ride the cup a little. My grip is a standard reverse overlap with the grip in both lifelines. Actually tighting the grip pressure some has helped, but its uncomforable for me to putt that way all of the time. Ive played with moving the ball forward, but it seemed to make it worse so i abandoned it. The overiding feel im getting is the toe not rotating.

[deronsizemore]

Ive played with moving the ball forward, but it seemed to make it worse so i abandoned it. The overiding feel im getting is the toe not rotating.

That's what I was going to suggest. A lot of times people play the ball too far back which leads them to push the ball. Obviously it depends on who you ask as there are many theories but I seem to putt my best when the ball is a couple inches inside my left heel. If I try to play it dead center of my stance (like some teachers advocate) I feel like I'm aiming all over the place.

On your studio select, at address where do you feel the shaft is pointed? Away from your target (leaning back some), vertical, or forward pressed? I have a Studio Select Newport 2 Mid Slant and was lining up with the face open simply because of the way the putter was designed. The sole is designed with some sole relief so that it doesn't get caught on blades of grass on the backstroke. Because of this if you sole your putter on a hard surface it actually leans backward because of the sole relief and adds loft. For me, this is how I was lining up on the green and it was adding loft and opening the face and leading to all kinds of shots. I took a level I had at the house which has a magnet on it and stuck it to the side of the shaft and figured out where vertical was. It was not close to where I lining up with the shaft. Now, I try to get the shaft vertical or just ever so slightly pressed forward and it's really amazing how much better I'm lining the ball up and how much different (better) my contact feels. I emailed Cameron about this and they confirmed that the putter was designed like this and that the shaft ideally should be vertically and definitely not leaning backward. Now, I can tell when the shaft is vertical because of the three dots on the back of the putter head. I press forward enough to where I can see all three dots and then slowly bring the shaft back to a vertical position. When the three red dots are just barely hidden, I know that's the point in which the shaft is vertical. May give that a try. I've shown a couple people I know with Cameron's and they've both seen an instant improvement in their feel and sound. Granted, I'm still not making any putts, but contact feels good and I have confident that I'm making solid contact... they're just not falling.

[DavidFehertysBike]

That's what I was going to suggest. A lot of times people play the ball too far back which leads them to push the ball. Obviously it depends on who you ask as there are many theories but I seem to putt my best when the ball is a couple inches inside my left heel. If I try to play it dead center of my stance (like some teachers advocate) I feel like I'm aiming all over the place.

yea yea yea..ill try that. Ive never thought of using the cavity as a set up check. I have the mid-slant as well. I feels that i have the shaft slightly pressed. I keep my press throughout the stroke.

[lobsterzilla]

when you switch i'll take that newport off your hands .... let me know ;)

[Mr Taylormade]

Im pretty much losing every thing a little right. Even the 3 to 5 footers rim ride the cup a little. My grip is a standard reverse overlap with the grip in both lifelines. Actually tighting the grip pressure some has helped, but its uncomforable for me to putt that way all of the time. Ive played with moving the ball forward, but it seemed to make it worse so i abandoned it. The overiding feel im getting is the toe not rotating.

may i suggest that if that doesnt work you aima little left

haha. hope you sort it out man there is nothing worse than missing a putt to the right except leaving it short