Eagle Curse

[BostonSully]

So far this year my driving has been spot on -- (for my skill level)

As a result ive had 3 putts for eagle in about 10 or so rounds now. I havent gotten even a birdie on a single one of them.

First was a Par 5: 5i second shot to the farside of the green. First putt was 20+ft, 3 - Putt Par

2nd Par 4:  Drove the green(270yds) 4 Putt Bogey First Putt was inside 10ft.

3rd Par 4: Drove the green(265yds) 4 Putt Bogey.. First putt was less than 12 ft

I tend to become intensely focused on holing the putt for the E and usually wind up blitzing it past the hole sometimes farther than my initial putt was to begin with. I just cant seem to keep my cool in these situations.

Am I cursed to never get an eagle? Or are there any tips out there you guys can think of to slow it down and make the shot. Such as putting for the birdie rather than the eagle? What do you guys do in big situations like this to keep it loose and roll the ball into the hole?

[Kieran123]

One thing that helped me A LOT with putting was picturing rolling the ball out of my hand to get a gauge on speed....helps with long putts for me

[phillyk]

For me, it's telling myself that it's just another putt.  Nothing special or different about it from any other, cept the break...  "Putting is all between the ears" as my old man likes to say.

[NI4NI]

BS, Off-topic, but if you drove the green on the second and third holes as stated, then weren't they pars, and not bogeys?

Originally Posted by BostonSully

So far this year my driving has been spot on -- (for my skill level)

As a result ive had 3 putts for eagle in about 10 or so rounds now. I havent gotten even a birdie on a single one of them.

First was a Par 5: 5i second shot to the farside of the green. First putt was 20+ft, 3 - Putt Par

2nd Par 4:  Drove the green(270yds) 3 Putt Bogey First Putt was inside 10ft.

3rd Par 4: Drove the green(265yds) 3 Putt Bogey.. First putt was less than 12 ft

I tend to become intensely focused on holing the putt for the E and usually wind up blitzing it past the hole sometimes farther than my initial putt was to begin with. I just cant seem to keep my cool in these situations.

Am I cursed to never get an eagle? Or are there any tips out there you guys can think of to slow it down and make the shot. Such as putting for the birdie rather than the eagle? What do you guys do in big situations like this to keep it loose and roll the ball into the hole?

[BostonSully]

Originally Posted by NI4NI

BS, Off-topic, but if you drove the green on the second and third holes as stated, then weren't they pars, and not bogeys?

Good point. I might have 4 putted and mental blocked it. I def bogeyed them.

Edited the OP.

See the thing is I think my only 4 putts have come on eagle opportunities this year. I think after I miss the birdie putt that im so PO'd I dont care if I get a par or triple bogey at that point and just wack the ball at the hole.

Im not a terrible putter but Its absolutely one of the weakest parts of my game. Ball striking is good, short range shots are good but once I got on/around that green anything can happen to me man.

[BostonSully]

Originally Posted by Kieran123

One thing that helped me A LOT with putting was picturing rolling the ball out of my hand to get a gauge on speed....helps with long putts for me

Ill remember that the next time I get a chance at one of these. It might do me better than my friends advice which is

"Just pretend that this putt is for 1 million dollars" --- I dont think that helps with being tense lol.

[NI4NI]

Originally Posted by BostonSully

Good point. I might have 4 putted and mental blocked it. I def bogeyed them.

Edited the OP.

See the thing is I think my only 4 putts have come on eagle opportunities this year. I think after I miss the birdie putt that im so PO'd I dont care if I get a par or triple bogey at that point and just wack the ball at the hole.

Im not a terrible putter but Its absolutely one of the weakest parts of my game. Ball striking is good, short range shots are good but once I got on/around that green anything can happen to me man.

So, you kinda go all Happy Gilmore on the green.  Been there, doing that

Sounds like you have the driving length to at least give you a fighting chance to bag an eagle.  If so, then you'll need to work on retaining your composure when putting, and not let a bad putt (or two) blow up a great start, and a possible eagle/birdie/par.  There are good books available on the mental aspect if you like to read, but one initial key is going to be to let it go once you muff a putt.  Try looking at it like a par hole (if you drive the green) - at least then you won't be bending the putter with a tense grip because you're trying too hard to make the eagle.

Take the eagle off the table, and perhaps that will put you in a better frame of mind to putt more loosely.   Worth a shot...

[Tomboys]

Originally Posted by BostonSully

So far this year my driving has been spot on -- (for my skill level)

As a result ive had 3 putts for eagle in about 10 or so rounds now. I havent gotten even a birdie on a single one of them.

First was a Par 5: 5i second shot to the farside of the green. First putt was 20+ft, 3 - Putt Par

2nd Par 4:  Drove the green(270yds) 3 Putt Bogey First Putt was inside 10ft.

3rd Par 4: Drove the green(265yds) 3 Putt Bogey.. First putt was less than 12 ft

I tend to become intensely focused on holing the putt for the E and usually wind up blitzing it past the hole sometimes farther than my initial putt was to begin with. I just cant seem to keep my cool in these situations.

Am I cursed to never get an eagle? Or are there any tips out there you guys can think of to slow it down and make the shot. Such as putting for the birdie rather than the eagle? What do you guys do in big situations like this to keep it loose and roll the ball into the hole?

Adrenaline can do weird things to your stroke (just ask Rory).  When faced with a "gotta make" situation on the green, some people tense up and try to coax the ball to the hole which usually leaves the putt woefully short.  Others try to "force" the ball into the hole which usually results in a putt that runs way past the hole.  Sounds like you're in the latter group.  Some of the advice/cliches we hear such as; never up, never in or never leave a (eagle or birdie) putt short can be a disservice.  While it's true that a short putt has no chance of going into the hole, a 10' putt that has enough pace to run it 8' past the hole probably won't go in either even if it hits the cup.

I've never been a great putter, decent, but nothing to write home about.  However, I've made some adjustments and over the past 5 rounds, my putting has been incredible.  Even my regular playing partners (who have benefited financially from my lack of putting prowess over the years) asked what my changes were because I'm putting so much better.

The key, for me at least, has been rolling the ball vs. hitting it.

Rolling the ball.  Now, all putts roll no matter what type of stroke you put on the ball, so that's not a major revelation.  Much has been made of the benefits of having good tempo and rhythm on the full swing.  Well, I've found that if I apply the same attributes to my putting stroke, I'm rewarded with better contact which allows me to have a better gauge of my speed.  From there, I have better distance control.  The key mental approach I'm taking on my full swings is to "sweep" the ball.  If I try to "hit" it, all kinds of bad things happen (out of synch, flip, etc.).  Similarly, if I try to "roll" my putts, I have a smoother stroke and I tend to make better contact.  When I "hit" my putts, I become "stabby" and my putts start offline and my putts are either way too short or way too long in addition to being offline.

I used a few "building" drills (aside from working on my rhythm and tempo) on the practice green(s).  The first one is picking a spot @ 6" in front of the ball and rolling the ball over that spot.  I don't pay attention to how far the ball goes.  Rather, I focus on making a smooth, rhythmic stroke where I make solid contact and the ball rolls over that spot.  From there, I set up two tees off to the side of a cup.  I throw balls down in random locations.  I employ the tactics from the first drill and roll putts to where the ball stops @ 1' after the tee "gate".  Finally, I again throw down balls in random locations, but this time using the tactics from the first two drills, I try to hole the putts.

Whether or not the above is helpful to you remains to be seen.  IME, it's worked wonders and I plan on continuing these drills.

[BostonSully]

Tomboy that sounds like an excellent drill I will most definitely work on finding a way to practice that. (Now I just need a practice green and some solo time with it)

About rolling vs hitting I completely get this. I think its just when I have the opportunity to score an E I wind up tensing and rather than rolling the ball I poke it with a rather wristy stroke. I think comes down inevitably to practice(or lack of) and patience. Ill try to remember to focus on rolling the ball next time a Birdie or Eagle putt comes up.

Thanks for the advice.

[trickymicky69]

when you can hole a 10ft putt, 10 times in a row

it wont matter if its birdie, par or bogey it will be automatic

[Ernest Jones]

I've mention this on another putting thread - Fred Shoemaker's "Extraordinary Putting" is an awesome book that really focuses on making your strokes smooth and "pressure proof". My favorite drill from this book is to line up for a longish putt (20-30 feet) and once your comfortable with your set up you flip the putter upside down so the grip is hanging down vertically, now close your eyes, walk to the hole and try (eyes still closed) to put the grip into the hole. You may be miles away either short, long, left or right but with a bit of practice you'll be closer and closer to being able to walk to the hole and place the grip in or near the hole with your eyes closed. It works wonders for your distance control and target awareness. There are at least a dozen putting exercises in the book and they are all really "mind blowing" exercises that you won't find anywhere else. Try it, it transformed my putting almost overnight and my distance control has never been better, usually my missed putts will stop about 12-18" past the hole. Too bad it took me 5 strokes to get on the green!

[Tomboys]

Originally Posted by BostonSully

Tomboy that sounds like an excellent drill I will most definitely work on finding a way to practice that. (Now I just need a practice green and some solo time with it)

About rolling vs hitting I completely get this. I think its just when I have the opportunity to score an E I wind up tensing and rather than rolling the ball I poke it with a rather wristy stroke. I think comes down inevitably to practice(or lack of) and patience. Ill try to remember to focus on rolling the ball next time a Birdie or Eagle putt comes up.

Thanks for the advice.

First off, thank you for the kind words and I sincerely hope it works for you.  Keep us posted on your progress.

Secondly, nobody is immune from making those bad putting strokes, even the world's best putters have and will continue to "pooch" a few.  The idea is to minimize the frequency and severity of the misses.  Also, and I feel this is most important; don't over-analyze/agonize when you miss one.  Even if it was in "kick in" range.  Last weekend, I drained 5 putts over 15'.  I also "pooched" a couple inside 4'.  One of the "pooched" putts came on the 17th green where I could've closed out my buds (on our bets).  Instead, by missing that putt, I left the window open for them to tie or beat me on the 18th hole. To make matters worse, they decided that the loser would buy lunch.  If saw my buds, you'd see that feeding them is an expensive proposition.

After two indifferent shots, I'm on the collar of the green above the hole @ 12'.  The bad part about this green is that it is fast, really fast.  If you miss the hole, you run it by at least 10'.  I've even seen some putts (from the collar above the hole) roll off the green into the water.  Well, I read the break, pick my spot, visualize the putt going in and stroke the putt.  The ball goes in for a birdie.  Never once did the "pooched" putt from the previous hole enter my mind.  I didn't try to do anything special on that last putt--I just committed to it, made the stroke and just let the rest happen.  Good thing it went in because, like I said, I wasn't sure if I had enough credit on my Visa to feed those "Hungry Hippo" buds of mine.

[jshots]

I definitely have an eagle curse. I've had driver distance to get on par 5s in 2 very often and even occasionally a short par 4 since my junior year of high school which was like 5 years ago and i have still yet to drop an eagle in my life.

[shakogolfer78]

you need to get the eagle putt off its high horse and visualize it as any other stroke.  That 10 footer for eagle counts just as much on the scorecard as a 4 footer for a triple bogey.  Think about it!