Need Questions for Putting Guru Stan Utley

[BigAl5150]

Stan Utley will be the subject of an upcoming interview in our Throwing Darts column and would like to give YOU, our forum members (and TST Staff) an opportunity to ask some questions.

For those unfamilar with either, Stan Utley won the 1989 Chattanoga Classic and who is now a short game teacher to PGA pro's such as Darrin Clarke, Jay Haas and Peter Jacobsen. Stan has also written a book (with Matthew Rudy) about putting titled The Art of Putting as well as provides instruction in Golf Digest .

Get creative and ask some questions. What would you like to see Stan Utley answer?

[iacas]

Off the top of my head:

Scotty Cameron has said that a straight back, straight through (SBST) putting stroke with an always-square putter face is only possible if you putt in a purely pendulum manner - between your legs like croquet. Clearly you believe him. Why, then, has Dave Pelz had so much success and why do

We asked Scotty Cameron about center-shafted and heel-shafted putters, having head that heel-shafted putters favored your inside/square/inside putting stroke while center-shafted putters favored the Pelz (SBST) stroke. His answer was "(quote answer here)". What's the best kind of putter for the stroke you teach - mallet or blade? Heel- or center-shafted? Toe-hang or face-balanced?

I have others but I'll come back to these threads and ask them later.

[Carland]

Two questions, one concerns lag putting and the other concerns pitches from tight lies.

The mechanics recommended in the Art of Putting have helped me hit my putts more solidly but I tend to get wrapped up in the mechanics of swing the putterhead first/let the right elbow relax going back/finish with the putterhead low. A lot of my 15-30 footers finish way short. What do you recommend to improve distance control?

I have been trying the same mechanics for short pitches: swing the clubhead first/let the right elbow relax going back/finish with the clubhead low. I still hit some of these shots thin, which gets pretty ugly. Any recommendations?

[iacas]

Many people often say that people are better par putters than they are birdie putters. What mechanical and mental differences do you see between the average golfer (or even Tour pro) in their birdie and par putts?

Tiger Woods says he's such a great long-distance putter because he's not afraid of five-foot come-back putt. Can the average golfer adapt that mentality with success?

You talk in your book about how good putters know when they're rolling the ball well. How can an average putter tell the difference between a "good roll" and their average stroke?

[niblick]

What do you think of the side-saddle method compared to the traditional putting stance and stroke?

[FAHooGolfs]

I'd like to know if he thinks the technology revolution that we see in irons and drivers has really made a big difference in the putting world. Specifically, what are the main benefits that a player will get from switching to a more modernized putter?

I've had my putter since 1999 and have been thinking about buying a new one, but I've always based my putting decisions on "feel" and I don't really know that any new putter I pick up will be any noticeably better than a new one.

[Carland]

What differences do you notice in the putting of amateurs of different abilities versus touring pros? What areas do you work on most to help amateurs improve?

[CusePhil]

If you could give one tip to those that struggle with their putting, what would it be?

[muskegman]

• What techniques do the greatest putters share?
• Can everyone be a great putter?
• What does it take to be a good green-reader?
• How can I become a good "die it in the hole" putter?
• Do you advocate a certain style of putter?

[NCGolfer]

There are some touring pros that thing anchoring a putter against your chest should not be allowed, what is your opinion on this?

Are there any specific pros out there you'd like to work with?

Any plans to start a golf school like Dave Pelz?

[gas_can]

1. What does it mean to be "on plane" with your short game? How does this differ from your full swing?

2. Full swing changes are often made to take the arms and "smaller muscles" out of the swing. Yet your short game and putting techniques are based on movements of the elbows, forearm bones, and muscles, why are "small muscles" good for one, but not the other?

3. I'm sure Stan will work this in somewhere before you get to ask him, but if he doesn't, who is Ken Lanning and what have his teachings meant to you as both a golf professional and a teacher?

[rembrandt]

Putting, I think is probably the only part of the game that can differ in it's technique, one person to another! If you look at the swing of the pros with their drivers and irons they are amazingly alike at impact! The putter is entirely different. Also, when it comes to putters and technology, I think whatever feels good for you is OK. A pro could take a Target putter and do fine with it, as well as he could do with a $300.00 putter.

[iacas]

Putting, I think is probably the only part of the game that can differ in it's technique, one person to another! If you look at the swing of the pros with their drivers and irons they are amazingly alike at impact! The putter is entirely different. Also, when it comes to putters and technology, I think whatever feels good for you is OK. A pro could take a Target putter and do fine with it, as well as he could do with a $300.00 putter.

That's not a question, and you're not the subject of the interview.

Here's another: I miss the days of balata, but the modern putter/ball contact is "firmer." How important is the "feel" of a golf ball when putting - for example, the relative softness of a Pro V1 versus a Pro V1x?

[NM Golf]

What are his thoughts about changing equipment when the putter goes cold. Does changing putters cause any inconsistancies? Should a player be true to one putter and work through any problems, or look for the "quick fix" with a different model?

[allin]

Would he be willing to comment on what he thinks Sergio should do differently.

Is there anything thatpros do when they putt that the rest of us shouldn't try to do.

Does he enjoy teaching more than he did being a playing pro?

[Carland]

After reading your book, I looked at Dave Stockton's "Putt To Win." Although Stockton advocates standing bow-legged and holding the putter more in the fingers, is your approach similar to his? You both advocate 5 degrees of loft in the putter, hinging the right wrist a little on the backswing then holding that angle and keeping the putterhead low after impact. Have you ever spoken to Dave Stockton about putting?

[BigAl5150]

Thank you to everyone who submitted questions. Be looking for his responses (as well as other quests) in our Throwing Darts columns in the near future.

[damoc1]

What is the best way to judge the speed of a green and how hard or soft to hit the ball?