Couple putting questions with arc and contact...

[timastyle]

So here are my questions:

1. So I have been using heel shafted putters for a while now and working on my arc. I think I just came to the realization that you don't really need to conciously take the putter in an arc. If you just use proper form the putter face will naturally open on the takeaway and close on the follow through. Is this a correct assessment? I think the more I try the more force the issue and end up pulling it most.

2. My misses on the clubface is thin (bottom of the putter face much like catching an iron thin). Any advice on how to avoid this? I generally play the ball a little forward to center (been reading Phil Mickelson's book, "Secrets of the Short Game").

Thanks!

[ks8829]

One method toensure a solid contact with your putts is to slightly press down just before you start your backstroke. If you play around with this technique in different variations you will notice that your putts are solid. Another method is to keep your putter low on the backstroke. You have to try it to find out for yourself. This works for your irons shots also.

[timastyle]

One method toensure a solid contact with your putts is to slightly press down just before you start your backstroke. If you play around with this technique in different variations you will notice that your putts are solid. Another method is to keep your putter low on the backstroke. You have to try it to find out for yourself. This works for your irons shots also.

Sorry, I think I need to ask a couple more questions for clarification. By press down, do you mean press the hands forward? I'm not sure if you've read his book, specifically on the putting, he has a couple parts that talk about having your hands pressed forward are not good, yet, the following part, he talks about how he presses his hands forward a few inches to know when to start his stroke. Seems like a contradiction to me.

Can you explain more a little about about keeping the putter low on the backstroke please? The way I stroke my putt now, I often times have issues with hitting the green before the ball. I'm afraid if I try to keep the putter low that I'll just make that worse.

[ks8829]

Its not a forward press, but a slight pressing down just before my backswing, I just know it works for me, you have to just try it and see for yourself.

[timastyle]

Press down as in into to the green?

Is my thought on the arc correct?

[boogielicious]

I rest the head behind the ball, set up, then use a little forward press before the takeaway (Stan Utley style). Contact is consistent that way.

Utley has a coin drill that helps with the arc. Place two quarters and a penny stacked one inch behind the ball and two dimes stacked two inches in front of the ball. With a little forward press, your takeaway should miss the penny/quarters and try to hit the dimes. In practice, you think you will hit the penny, but don't. The ball hits the dimes, so you never hit them, but the focus is having the arc bottom out after the ball.

I agree with your assessment of the arc. I only see it if I watch the head go back, which is a bad habit. If I putt watching the ball, the arc is there.

If you haven't read the book, The Art of Putting, Stan Utley, I recommend it.

Scott

[timastyle]

Thanks. I will try out that drill and see what happens. I'm not sure if I completely understand it, but we'll find out soon enough.

I actually just bought his art of the short game, which I thought also covered putting, but apparently it doesn't. I will be taking the book back to the store for the putting one.