Need some help putting

[tmf9]

My putting has been god awful lately, seems like im pulling everything and when i try to correct it i open the blade up and push the putts.  Been going on for weeks now, anyone know any drills or tips that might help?

[ks8829]

practice with a piece of string attached too two metal clothes hangers that have been cut about 8 inches tall.  The string can be 8 - 12 feet long attached on both sides.  stick the metal stick into the putting area pass the hole and the other end straight as possible away from the hole.  One side can be lower and near the hole higher.

Now practice putting standing over the string as a guide line.  your club face should not open or close but stay square to the hole or target line, simple

The reason the end of the string is lower on the other end of the putting hole is to help you keep the putter low to the ground on the back stroke this will help you keep the line without pulling or pushing, so brush the ground on the backstroke of you putt without hitting the ground on the forward stroke of your putt.

Practice from 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet on back to build up your confidence and your technique.  you can try lower your rear shoulder while having 60% of your weight on the front foot.

practice, practice and more practice will help you improve your putting.  Remember putting is distance control first and then the line and reading the greens follows.

Your goal is too keep track of your putting during your round and keep it around and below 30 putts per round of 18 holes.  Pros have as little as 23 putt for 18 holes when they shoot a low score.  To compliment your putting a short game is essential for those one putts, so remember to practice putting first and your short game around the green next and 10 yards increments until you get to 100 yards to practice and improve your short game.

Do this and you will be improving your game and lower your scores as eventually shoot par and under.

[ks8829]

String putting video

[iacas]

Originally Posted by ks8829

practice with a piece of string attached too two metal clothes hangers that have been cut about 8 inches tall.  The string can be 8 - 12 feet long attached on both sides.  stick the metal stick into the putting area pass the hole and the other end straight as possible away from the hole.  One side can be lower and near the hole higher.

Now practice putting standing over the string as a guide line.  your club face should not open or close but stay square to the hole or target line, simple

The reason the end of the string is lower on the other end of the putting hole is to help you keep the putter low to the ground on the back stroke this will help you keep the line without pulling or pushing, so brush the ground on the backstroke of you putt without hitting the ground on the forward stroke of your putt.

I disagree with the two bold statements. An arc stroke is more natural, and the vast, vast, vast majority (99%+) use an arc stroke on the PGA Tour (according to Dean Thompson, and he'd know). Also, if the putter, like all clubs, is swung in an arc, then that arc is back, in, and up . Any manipulation of that arc will disrupt the stroke.

Originally Posted by ks8829

practice, practice and more practice will help you improve your putting.  Remember putting is distance control first and then the line and reading the greens follows.

I agree with your three commonalities of great putters: read, speed, and bead as we say (in no particular order). Get a good read, hit the ball the proper distance, and start the ball on the line you want.

But I will point this out too: you'll have to practice a lot less if you have good mechanics. For example, aim bias can lead to a stroke compensation. You may need more practice to get the timing down (see: Tiger Woods, right aimer, needs to release the toe to hit the ball on the proper line). When you don't practice that compensation, the timing can be all over the place.

[tmf9]

Appreciate the help guys, its just hard for me to get much practice in putting.  There is only one practice green within 30 miles of my house and it is not in good condition at all.

[ks8829]

practice on your carpet at home and come to the course an hour earlier before you play.

[helianthusdd]

Nice video and nice tips. Tks so much!

[glock35ipsc]

If I can't get to the range I lay out my 2 alignment sticks side by side on the basement floor, just far enough apart to accommodate the width of my putter head.  I then set coasters out on the carpet for targets, and practice putting to them.  I use a shorter putter (33"), and although I have bent over pendulum-type stroke that feels straight-back/straight-through, it is obvious on video that there is a slight square to in and up going back, then in to square to in and up going forward very much like Erik described.

On the range I focus on tempo and my stroke distance.  Slower tempo for fast greens, and faster tempo for slower greens.  The shorter the putt the shorter the stroke, and vice-versa for longer putts.  And I might even throw out the alignment sticks on the practice green too if it isn't too busy.

I too was getting to the point of trying to "steer" the ball to the hole.  The above drills from my instructor has all but cured me of that.

[LfSideStrngSide]

Erik,

Any tips for putting with ridiculous winds? I played last weekend and prolly could have shot around 3 or 4 over. One of my best tee to green days in a year. But I could not putt to save my life. I missed 3 birdies inside 8 feet. Usually I am a pretty confident putter but that day the wind just had me feeling like a complete hack.

Thanks much

[iacas]

Originally Posted by LfSideStrngSide

Any tips for putting with ridiculous winds? I played last weekend and prolly could have shot around 3 or 4 over. One of my best tee to green days in a year. But I could not putt to save my life. I missed 3 birdies inside 8 feet. Usually I am a pretty confident putter but that day the wind just had me feeling like a complete hack.

Wind can affect the break of a ball - and the speed of a ball - more than people realize. Also, sometimes a hill will prevent the wind from doing much on the green surface but you'll still feel it on your arms and face. So "read the wind" too, and don't get too discouraged if it's gusty - you're gonna miss a few you would have otherwise made (you might also make one you'd have missed occasionally).

For more stability, I widen my stance a little and I hold the putter grip a touch tighter so it will really feel stable. The wind with a really light grip can twist the putter head too. Widening the stance will help to eliminate any body swaying due to the wind.

[LfSideStrngSide]

Yeah I've always heard about widening my stance. I suppose it's just a matter of doing my best to try judging how much the wind will affect the putt along with the break? I suppose its something hard to get good at if you don't have those conditions very often

Originally Posted by iacas

Wind can affect the break of a ball - and the speed of a ball - more than people realize. Also, sometimes a hill will prevent the wind from doing much on the green surface but you'll still feel it on your arms and face. So "read the wind" too, and don't get too discouraged if it's gusty - you're gonna miss a few you would have otherwise made (you might also make one you'd have missed occasionally).

For more stability, I widen my stance a little and I hold the putter grip a touch tighter so it will really feel stable. The wind with a really light grip can twist the putter head too. Widening the stance will help to eliminate any body swaying due to the wind.

[ks8829]

1) One last though before you putt is to truly believe that you will make the putt.

2) The more you practice the more confidence you get with your putting.

3) Keep a record of you putts per hole, front, back nine and track your progress

4) Remember putt for dough and drive for show.

5) Theres no better feeling that sinking a 10 foot putt to win your match

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by ks8829

1) One last though before you putt is to truly believe that you will make the putt.

2) The more you practice the more confidence you get with your putting.

3) Keep a record of you putts per hole, front, back nine and track your progress

4) Remember putt for dough and drive for show.

5) Theres no better feeling that sinking a 10 foot putt to win your match

All good points.  To point #1, after I take a couple practice strokes while looking to the hole, my last thought after I address the ball is "stroke it and make it".