AimPoint Green Reading

[iacas]

1. How long is the video?

Just under 30 minutes IIRC.

3. As someone who had training on the midpoint read, do you expect to use the express method from now on?

I think most people will use Express for longer putts and Midpoint where accuracy is more important (if they know MidPoint - if they don't, Express done properly is still way more accurate than their current green reading method).

4. Is it less accurate than the midpoint?  If so, how?

It's less accurate. It smashes four factors down into something that's inherently less accurate because it's almost like one factor plus the margin of error of getting your arm in the right place.

5. Do you find it significantly quicker or easier to accomplish than the midpoint read?

To be clear, midpoint is REALLY easy and fast if you know what you're doing (which doesn't take much time at all, but still, many didn't put the little practice time in). It is faster in general. Takes about the same length of time against efficient MidPoint people.

---

BTW, I concur that for most people (and especially those with no formal AimPoint training at all), they'll almost surely need to visit with someone in person who is AimPoint Certified to learn this properly. The DVD is intended almost as a marketing vehicle. It's tough to learn this type of "feel" thing, next to impossible to properly calibrate, etc. on your own by watching a short video.

And I say that knowing full well that 99% or more of the people reading this have an AimPoint instructor closer to them than I am, and I encourage them to go see their nearest AimPoint guy or gal. I'm here if you need me, or prefer to work with me, but you'll get virtually the same stuff from anyone.

It's just like other golf instruction: it's incredibly rare that you can watch a DVD or read a book and do the method or whatever properly. Green reading is simpler than a full swing or a pitching stroke, yes, but it still has its complexities.

[MattM]

Thanks.

In the sentence I bolded, you're talking about an arm angle calibration chart, not the aimchart, right?

I'm not worried about the slopes, since I've taken the original fundamentals class.  So for my situation, it sounds like the only downside is maybe not having the best method to calibrate the arm angles?

A couple questions:

1. How long is the video?

2. Do you expect to watch it more than once?

3. As someone who had training on the midpoint read, do you expect to use the express method from now on?

4. Is it less accurate than the midpoint?  If so, how?

5. Do you find it significantly quicker or easier to accomplish than the midpoint read?

Yup, I was just talking about the arm angles.

[Ernest Jones]

Unlike what Ernest Jones said, the slope feeling is the most important thing to get (again, in my opinion).  The difference between a 2 and a 3 is huge and if you get that wrong you will DEFINATELY miss the put.

I never said it was unimportant, I just said it was easy peasy. Get used to the feeling of a 1 and a 4, 2 and 3 are in between those. It's not very difficult to train yourself to feel these four points on a spectrum. Also as I said, the key is not to agonize over it. I don't hit my line perfectly 100% of the time and I don't get my speed EXACTLY as I want it 100% of the time...so...you catch my drift?

[newtogolf]

I just finished watching the DVD on AimPoint Express.  I don't know Aimpoint so I'm not sure what was left out but the DVD seemed to give you the bulk of what you'd need to know about Express.  The key is to be able to determine the different slopes using your feet, which I'm guessing improves with practice.  I'm anxious to give it a try though it looks like it might be a few weeks since we're supposed to get a few inches of snow on Friday.

[iacas]

I just finished watching the DVD on AimPoint Express.  I don't know Aimpoint so I'm not sure what was left out but the DVD seemed to give you the bulk of what you'd need to know about Express.  The key is to be able to determine the different slopes using your feet, which I'm guessing improves with practice.  I'm anxious to give it a try though it looks like it might be a few weeks since we're supposed to get a few inches of snow on Friday.

I've watched the DVD and I think this.

• The vast majority of people will think they've "gotten" AimPoint Express after watching the DVD.
• The majority of people will not get quite enough from it to really get it.
• Even still, that smaller majority will still putt better than if they hadn't watched the DVD.
• You can't calibrate yourself very accurately after watching the DVD. That almost requires either a MidPoint background or a certified instructor.

If the DVD costs $85 (shipping included) and a class costs $125, the $125 is the better value, no question. You should leave the class with NO questions, really, PLUS the majority of AimPoint instructors lets you audit future classes FREE. So you can always stay on top of things for no extra cost. I guess that's almost like watching the DVD again… except again, not really.

The DVD might get you 1/2 of the way there. The class gets you all the way there.

Either way, whether you take the class or not, you should buy a digital level, like this one (9-10" is great): http://smile.amazon.com/Husky-9-in-Digital-Level/dp/B0090SGCLE/ that can measure in % slope.

P.S. Dave and I fully support Mark doing this, too. We may be in the minority on that, but we encouraged him to make a DVD.

[newtogolf]

I've watched the DVD and I think this.

The vast majority of people will think they've "gotten" AimPoint Express after watching the DVD.

The majority of people will not get quite enough from it to really get it.

Even still, that smaller majority will still putt better than if they hadn't watched the DVD.

You can't calibrate yourself very accurately after watching the DVD. That almost requires either a MidPoint background or a certified instructor.

If the DVD costs $85 (shipping included) and a class costs $125, the $125 is the better value, no question. You should leave the class with NO questions, really, PLUS the majority of AimPoint instructors lets you audit future classes FREE. So you can always stay on top of things for no extra cost. I guess that's almost like watching the DVD again… except again, not really.

The DVD might get you 1/2 of the way there. The class gets you all the way there.

Either way, whether you take the class or not, you should buy a digital level, like this one (9-10" is great): http://smile.amazon.com/Husky-9-in-Digital-Level/dp/B0090SGCLE/ that can measure in % slope.

P.S. Dave and I fully support Mark doing this, too. We may be in the minority on that, but we encouraged him to make a DVD.

I appreciate your feedback on the DVD since I haven't attended Midpoint training and don't have a frame of reference for how comprehensive the DVD is.   I opted for the video because there's only one certified instructor on Long Island (not very close to where I live) and he's only a Level 1 so I wasn't sure how good of an instructor he'd be.

I ordered the level you suggested since it appears that identifying the right slope is the most critical part of Express and they kind of over simplify the effort it takes in the video.

[Lihu]

Is the intent of the DVD to be a supplement to the class?

In any case, I found the "micro-Express" class that was given in Erie to be tremendously helpful, and plan to take the real classes once I get my ball striking where it needs to be. . .

[iacas]

In any case, I found the "micro-Express" class that was given in Erie to be tremendously helpful, and plan to take the real classes once I get my ball striking where it needs to be. . .

Why wait?

[billchao]

Why wait?

Yea, seriously, @Lihu . Taking an AimPoint class has nothing to do with your ballstriking.

[Lihu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iacas

Why wait?

Yea, seriously, @Lihu. Taking an AimPoint class has nothing to do with your ballstriking.

True, I usually like to focus on one thing at a time, but I'll definitely sign up. I'll ask Mike at our next lesson. . .

[MattM]

Iacas, you said in a very well put and well thought out way exactly what I was attempting to say.

Everyone, just read Iacas's reply if you don't understand what I was trying to say....

[Woodstocks]

Signed up for level 1 and level 2 classes , can't wait to get started!

[DeadMan]

Took Aimpoint Express 1 and 2 today. Really, really cool. My reads were so much better than they were normally, even just on the practice green. Can't wait to put this into use on the course.

The hardest part is properly judging the slope. On the 1s and 2s, it was sometimes hard to feel the slope the right direction. And I think I rely on my eyes too much when I do that - I might try to do it with my eyes closed. But with practice, I'll get it.

I plan on taking out a level to my tournament course when I'm practicing sometime in the future. Obviously that won't be perfect, but it will be useful to check myself so that I don't get anything crazy.

[mvmac]

The hardest part is properly judging the slope. On the 1s and 2s, it was sometimes hard to feel the slope the right direction. And I think I rely on my eyes too much when I do that - I might try to do it with my eyes closed. But with practice, I'll get it.

Yes it just takes practice and spending some time with a level. Good to hear you took the classes.

[boogielicious]

Took Aimpoint Express 1 and 2 today. Really, really cool. My reads were so much better than they were normally, even just on the practice green. Can't wait to put this into use on the course.

The hardest part is properly judging the slope. On the 1s and 2s, it was sometimes hard to feel the slope the right direction. And I think I rely on my eyes too much when I do that - I might try to do it with my eyes closed. But with practice, I'll get it.

I plan on taking out a level to my tournament course when I'm practicing sometime in the future. Obviously that won't be perfect, but it will be useful to check myself so that I don't get anything crazy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeadMan

The hardest part is properly judging the slope. On the 1s and 2s, it was sometimes hard to feel the slope the right direction. And I think I rely on my eyes too much when I do that - I might try to do it with my eyes closed. But with practice, I'll get it.

Yes it just takes practice and spending some time with a level. Good to hear you took the classes.

With practice, slope reads will become automatic.  Speed is tougher in my opinion because there is variation between the practice green and course greens.  One tip I would add it to use the first green as a measurement.  Trust your read then if you miss, adjust the stimp to the miss.  Example:  You have a 10 footer on a 2% 90 degree.  You read it breaks 6.  It breaks 9.  Adjust the stimp up one for the next hole.

[RFKFREAK]

I've watched the DVD and I think this.

The vast majority of people will think they've "gotten" AimPoint Express after watching the DVD.

The majority of people will not get quite enough from it to really get it.

Even still, that smaller majority will still putt better than if they hadn't watched the DVD.

You can't calibrate yourself very accurately after watching the DVD. That almost requires either a MidPoint background or a certified instructor.

If the DVD costs $85 (shipping included) and a class costs $125, the $125 is the better value, no question. You should leave the class with NO questions, really, PLUS the majority of AimPoint instructors lets you audit future classes FREE. So you can always stay on top of things for no extra cost. I guess that's almost like watching the DVD again… except again, not really.

The DVD might get you 1/2 of the way there. The class gets you all the way there.

Either way, whether you take the class or not, you should buy a digital level, like this one (9-10" is great): http://smile.amazon.com/Husky-9-in-Digital-Level/dp/B0090SGCLE/ that can measure in % slope.

P.S. Dave and I fully support Mark doing this, too. We may be in the minority on that, but we encouraged him to make a DVD.

Oh, cool.  I was thinking of contacting  my AimPoint instructor to see about re-taking the class this year.

[natureboy]

Which part of the feet is considered more accurate / sensitive to the slope, toe/heel pressure or ankle roll (inside/outside foot) pressure?

[Abu3baid]

Which part of the feet is considered more accurate / sensitive to the slope, toe/heel pressure or ankle roll (inside/outside foot) pressure?

My instinct says that it is a personalize feel different to each person.. It is a trial and error until one can repeat.