Diegel Method of Putting

[CalBoomer]

Obviously one of the major goals in putting well is keeping the putter face exactly perpendicular to the target line while striking the ball. Leo Diegel, one of the great golfers of the early 20th century, used a putting technique which was unorthodox and the butt of many jokes. The elbows are extremely bent with the forearms forming almost a straight line parallel to the target line. To get the elbows and forearms in such a position one has to be bent over and looking almost straight down at the ball. However funny looking the position, if it is used with a pendulum motion, it is very hard to twist the putter face out of perpendicular during the stroke. And the line of the forearms is very helpful in maintaining the stroke on the target line. I tried it for fun and had the best putting day of my life. I think I'll keep using it for now.

[TheGeekGolfer]

Leo Diegel... used a putting technique which was unorthodox and the butt of many jokes. The elbows are extremely bent with the forearms forming almost a straight line parallel to the target line. To get the elbows and forearms in such a position one has to be bent over and looking almost straight down at the ball.

Not really agreeing or disagreeing with this putting method...just thought a picture might help the thread...

[Chas]

That does help.

This technique promotes quickly jabbing someone in the ribs when they're laughing uproariously at the result of your absurd-looking putt.

p.s. my left arm is half way to being there, actually. Not at all an Utley position.

[Danattherock]

Many ways to skin a cat. If it works for you, go for it.

[sean_miller]

Obviously one of the major goals in putting well is keeping the putter face exactly perpendicular to the target line while striking the ball. Leo Diegel, one of the great golfers of the early 20th century, used a putting technique which was unorthodox and the butt of many jokes. The elbows are extremely bent with the forearms forming almost a straight line parallel to the target line. To get the elbows and forearms in such a position one has to be bent over and looking almost straight down at the ball. However funny looking the position, if it is used with a pendulum motion, it is very hard to twist the putter face out of perpendicular during the stroke. And the line of the forearms is very helpful in maintaining the stroke on the target line. I tried it for fun and had the best putting day of my life. I think I'll keep using it for now.

Pretty weird.

[CalBoomer]

Pretty weird.

Weird, yes. Funny, definitely. But also remarkably effective in limiting the putter face from turning. So I'll just keep sinking putts while the people I'm playing with are laughing too hard to line up their own putts.

[CalBoomer]

Not really agreeing or disagreeing with this putting method...just thought a picture might help the thread...

Awesome picture. I hope I don't look quite that extreme.

[sean_miller]

Weird, yes. Funny, definitely. But also remarkably effective in limiting the putter face from turning. So I'll just keep sinking putts while the people I'm playing with are laughing too hard to line up their own putts.

You don't see the similarity? Whatever.

[CalBoomer]

You don't see the similarity? Whatever.

Sorry. When I responded to you initially, the picture of Jack hadn't come up on my computer. The fact is, I had seen the similarities previously, but thought commenting on it would be a stretch, causing more laughs. Fact is, Nicklaus is using Diegel-lite. I would suspect I now look like something in between, minus any greatness, of course.