Putting Woes..

[MrW00t10]

Yesterday I played my second consecutive 18 hole round with over 40 putts. I hit 14/18 and 15/18 greens, and 12/14 and 14/14 fairways, respectively. But no matter what length, break, speed, or consistency of the putting surface I had in front of me to finish a hole, I have apparently lost the ability to putt effectively. So I'm asking, no, I'm begging, all of you scratch players and even 20 handicaps, there has to be SOMETHING to tell me to snap me out of this.

I'm a single handicap (under 5), collegiate golfer, who has just lost his putting stroke and ultimately, the ability to break 80. I know obviously, without seeing my stroke and stance and such, there isn't a whole lot one can do over the web...but maybe some tidbit of advice you've heard or some key thing you always tell yourself standing over a putt is the key I need to get my game back.

[iacas]

Describe what you do and what you're thinking when you're approaching the putts that are giving you trouble.

Is your speed off from 23 feet or can you not make the three footers?

[MrW00t10]

Originally Posted by iacas

Describe what you do and what you're thinking when you're approaching the putts that are giving you trouble.

Is your speed off from 23 feet or can you not make the three footers?

I've always had the same approach to putts but this is the first, true time it's completely let me down. I never aim for the hole that leads to unnecessary overreading. I pick my spot and my line and let my feel decide the speed. I know it sounds queer but I was entirely self-taught. I have never had a lesson, from age 15, hacking it on the range or 19 now, when level par for 18 was almost unacceptable. I'm worried this is something in my head and not a mechanical error.

It's everything, variable, and objectionable. One 20 footer will come up short by ten feet then i'll blow that one past the hole for a 3 putt. Or i'll randomly try to jam in tap ins or overread 3 footers. Its everything a golfer could do wrong in a putting stroke.

[Dad-2-3]

I can say there are a few of us on here that are envious of your long game and I would give my left nut to hit the same amount of GIR.

OK not really, but you get the point. I can't offer you any advice. However if a hack like me can average < 2 putts per hole then anyone can do the same.

I think the old adage "confidence is everything" is so true, especially in putting. I believe in no way am I talented in the putting dept., but when I miss a GIR, I view it as  a challenge to get up and down and am severely disappointed if I don't. When standing over a par putt from any distance if you are saying to yourself "There is no way I'm going to make this" then there is little chance you will.

[iacas]

It sounds like speed is a bigger concern, particularly when it is affecting your read.

I'd try one of two things (or both):

1) line up, and look at a spot when you putt. Don't look at the hole unless the putt is flat and straight - look at an aiming location. If it's uphill, the spot will be behind the hole, downhill in front. If it breaks L-to-R, look at a spot to the left, and vice versa for R-to-L.

2) do a better ob of "reacting" to the putt. take some practice strokes looking at the hole or your spot. just go back and forth, rocking, until you make two strokes that feel like the proper speed. step into the putt and hit it quickly after taking one last look at your spot or the hole. This will make you rely on your natural athleticism more and won't give you time to think about it.

[Double Bogey]

Originally Posted by iacas

1) line up, and look at a spot when you putt. Don't look at the hole unless the putt is flat and straight - look at an aiming location. If it's uphill, the spot will be behind the hole, downhill in front. If it breaks L-to-R, look at a spot to the left, and vice versa for R-to-L.

I am a hack, but this has improved my putting greatly.  If I am not mistaken this is part of the "putting out of your mind" book, by Rotella.  Forget the hole, pick your line and then it is all about speed.  Only one thing to think about instead of two.

[ks8829]

I would get someone see you putt and give you helpful tips, unless you send us a video of your putting.  Some questions below:

1) can you sink 5 putts from 3 feet in a row?

2) can you sink 10 putts from 3 feet in a row with different breaks?

3) can you lag 5 putts from 10 feet within a 3 foot circle in a row?

4) can you lag 5 putts from 20 feet within a 3 foot circle in a row?

5) what percentage of your practice time do you spend on putting per week?

6) can you practice putting everyday for 1 hour for two weeks straight?

[MrW00t10]

Originally Posted by ks8829

I would get someone see you putt and give you helpful tips, unless you send us a video of your putting.  Some questions below:

1) can you sink 5 putts from 3 feet in a row?

2) can you sink 10 putts from 3 feet in a row with different breaks?

3) can you lag 5 putts from 10 feet within a 3 foot circle in a row?

4) can you lag 5 putts from 20 feet within a 3 foot circle in a row?

5) what percentage of your practice time do you spend on putting per week?

6) can you practice putting everyday for 1 hour for two weeks straight?

the answer to the first 4 are no. i'd say 40-60% of my practice time is devoted to short game and being a full-time, working student-athlete, its doubtful I'd be able to accomplish an hour of putting daily for two weeks straight. Not until summer gets here anyway.

[LankyLefty]

This may sound completely stupid but back when my grandfather used to play he was about a scratch golfer and he had about 5 Putters. Whenever he started putting badly with one he'd blame it on the putter and switch to another one. Now I highly doubt his putting woes were the putters fault but it seemed to do his head some good to just pick up another putter and sort of relearn how to put with it.

[RayG]

The difference in most peoples putting is 6 inches... The distance between the ears. Asking a Forum board for help will only fill that 6 inches with a lot of 'stuff'. Other than practice and a repeatable putting routine to take some of the extraneous thoughts out of your mind, this is something that you need to work out. I can only say that the above methods of picking the line can help. I will make ONE suggestion- that hole you're trying for isn't 4.5 inches across- it's a large as you can realistically visualize it for a given putt. 30 feet? it's 3feet across. 20? make it 2 ft across, and so on. I bet if you stood on the street from 50 feet away from an open manhole you could put it in almost every time.

[Ernest Jones]

Originally Posted by RayG

The difference in most peoples putting is 6 inches... The distance between the ears. Asking a Forum board for help will only fill that 6 inches with a lot of 'stuff'.

Absolutely agree!

Everytime I try to have an open mind some jerkoff tries to stick something in it!

[MrW00t10]

I am aware putting is almost an entirely mental thing. But thats why I asked in the forum almost, what to think rather, maybe not how to putt. I don't even know what to think standing over a putt because, as I'm sure everyone on here is aware, once you start missing putts, all confidence goes out the window and then you can't stop thinking about every bad putt you have hit.

[RayG]

As I mentioned- Don't think about the hole- think about that giant manhole that replaced it since the last time you played there. Nobody will be able to TELL you what to think, least of all how to putt. Without spending the time to actually practice to get some feel, it may be a long road. Playing for money? Don't- maybe the pressure is what's bugging you. Not playing for money? Then play for a buck or two, it might force you to focus on the task at hand. Other than that- it's in your hands... or brain...

[nachosgrande]

Originally Posted by LankyLefty

This may sound completely stupid but back when my grandfather used to play he was about a scratch golfer and he had about 5 Putters. Whenever he started putting badly with one he'd blame it on the putter and switch to another one. Now I highly doubt his putting woes were the putters fault but it seemed to do his head some good to just pick up another putter and sort of relearn how to put with it.

This...honestly.

Putting ultimately comes down to feel and confidence.  Once you lose confidence with a certain putter in your hand you are not going to magically get it back through hours of repetition on the green.  You need to throw your brain (and body) a curveball and what better way to do it then by picking up a totally different putter.  If you're currently using a mallet, pick up a blade and give it a shot.  If you're using a 35'', grab a 34".  A heavy putter, grab a lighter one.  Seriously, give it a shot.

[MrW00t10]

Originally Posted by nachosgrande

This...honestly.

Putting ultimately comes down to feel and confidence.  Once you lose confidence with a certain putter in your hand you are not going to magically get it back through hours of repetition on the green.  You need to throw your brain (and body) a curveball and what better way to do it then by picking up a totally different putter.  If you're currently using a mallet, pick up a blade and give it a shot.  If you're using a 35'', grab a 34".  A heavy putter, grab a lighter one.  Seriously, give it a shot.

that is a great point I never really put two and two together like that before. I old man is always ribbing me for jumping to the old axiom of "blaming the club" and running out and buying a new one when one fails me, but in this case, I feel like you're right. Putting is a complete mental thing and if your head isn't matched up with a certain putter, change it up. I may take a trip to Golf Town this weekend haha.

[Aquaguru]

If you looking to change your swing try this.  I started doing it to get the feel of my body (a connection between distance and body you could say)

Start on the practice green.  Instead of looking at the ball, pick your spot and focus on stopping the ball right on it and swing.  I promise you will put a good swing on the ball, its hard to miss.  I am completely "self taught" and a single digit HC like yourself.  If your a "feel" player, which I bet you have pretty feel on and around the greens this might help you.  I now do this on every putt, I use to be a horrible putter and it use to kill my scores now I'm very consistent from inside 15'.  Another tip while putting this way is to have the putter head cover the spot that your are trying to land the ball at after the follow through.  This keeps a smooth follow through and my distance control has been much better.

I know this is very unconventional but it works for me, doesn't mean that it will work for you or anyone else.  But if your desperate give it a shot.