I'm a good putter - NOT!

[O.B. Right]

So, I thought I was a pretty good putter up until yesterday. I play at a few local courses and usually putt pretty well. I've even made as few as 14 putts for 9 holes (that seems better than it is because I almost never hit GIR).

Well . .that is apparently because I've never played on difficult greens! Went out yesterday to a new course and found that the greens were not flat! and not slow! Uh-oh!

My first putt on hole #1 was from 10 feet. My second was also from 10 feet. My third was from over 5 feet and my fourth left me with a tap-in Quad.

That's how it went for me the whole friggin round! I only made one long putt all day (~20 feet) and only 2 putted once or twice. The rest was just a brutal, ugly mess of 3,4 and 5 putts. The greens were so ridiculously fast that you if hit the ball hard enough to hold a line and missed, it would roll past by 75 to 100%!

It was tough for everybody, our 4-some never got off the green with less than 12 putts.

By the 4th or 5th hole, my putting troubles started to effect my whole game fell apart and the wheels came off in a major way. My (estimated) score - 130.

Now, I would like to say that the greens were dried out but that just wasn't the case. The greens were awesome. I sucked.

[ks8829]

one positive thing to look forward too regarding your putting is that it will only get better. practice with some friends with a game of 21 and you will be guarantee to become a better putter.

[CanadianGolfer3]

My putting was terrible, until i watched Phil's secrets to the short game. With his advice, and dedication to sticking to it, Ive noticed a great improvement in my overall putting no matter what the green is like.

I make sure i go to the practice green and put a few to get the feel before the game.

I may not drop it with one shot all the time, but rarely ever 3 put anymore.

[srjorion]

Happens to us all. After I moved out here to Salt Lake City it took me a couple of rounds and a lot of practice on the practice greens to get used to the different speeds and breaks. The greens I had been playing on before were slower and didn't have much contour.

Before I play a new course I try to get a feel for the speed of the greens by spending some time on the practice green. It's not always a perfect measure compared to the actual greens, but it at least gets me in the ball park.

Don't worry, you are a good putter. You just have to let your abilities adjust to the new environment.

[ks8829]

simple tips with putting:

1) distance control is more important than line and will help eliminate three putts
2) feel confidence when you putt without any negative thoughts
3) We can not all hit 300+ yard drive or hit an iron like a pro but we can all learn to putt and have a short game like a pro if you work at it.
4) putting is simple with some basic fundamentals and can be easily learned
5) watch some video and before you know it you will be improving your putting
6) everyone has their own style, find what works for you.
7) practice distance putting and also making 3 foot putts in a circle

have fun putting, count how many putts per round and also how many time you can one putt per round or get up and down.

[srjorion]

simple tips with putting:

Lots of great tips, but this one is the most critical to reducing your putts per round.

[DocWu1948]

OB Right ... It won't be too long though before you start appreciating greens that run fast like that. Slow and shaggy greens are good for my pitches which are always too hot, but those kind of greens are bad for puttiing and don't help you learn anything.

[Zeph]

I missed 5-6 putts inside 4 feet today, half of them inside 3 feet too. I don't worry too much about my putting though, it's pretty easy to work on.

[redsox98]

I read somewhere and it makes since to me I am sure this will start a feud but, If you are more than 20 ft away just aim to get within 3 ft. Imagine the hole 3 ft around and aim for the middle of that. Just my $.02

[motteler621]

I recently played a round and was striking the ball great. My ball stricking was very good, I was hitting fairways and greens in regulation but I was missing 3 footers and close putts. It made me realize that my score doesnt always reflect my ballstriking. For instance I had a couple where I was putting for birdie and ended up with bogey

[Cornbread]

Every Human has differing levels of ability...whether that be physical or mental abilities. Putting is no different. As I have always said, some people, even though semi-athletic and in decent physical shape couldn't break 80 if they played, were coached, and practiced everyday for 10 years. Can most folks improve? Sure, but we all have our physical limits.

[warbirdlover]

I bought a chest putter and it has made me a good putter. Different stroke and it's been amazing.