Tiger and his Putting

[Mr. Desmond]

So as I'm completing my expense reports for the last few months, I'm listening to TGC Coverage of the Honda Classic, and I'm left speechless.

The commentators discuss how Foley and Tiger, from looking at video, that Tiger, when putting well, was aiming right of his target line with the toe of the putter up.

Lately, I assume, he's been aiming at his target with a neutral lie. So what do the dynamic duo do?

They have Tiger aim right and with the toe up.... and I guess, Tiger is rolling the toe closed, relying on timing.

Whew.

I don't know --  it just seems like the incorrect approach.

I think I'd rather have the putter aim on my target line, have a neutral lie, and have the putter face remain square to the line ... and for the good of my long term game, adjust my aim and putter to the target line and not roll the toe over - rolling the toe closed means he is relying on timing, which gets worse when one gets older. I mean, it might take some time to grow accustomed to doing it right, but ... but ... but...

[iacas]

I thought that you might spot that bit too if you were watching.

Whatever. As we know, too, a toe up will actually aim the face back to the left. Not a lot, but over a 10 foot putt even one degree difference in aim can matter quite a bit.

http://thesandtrap.com/b/the_numbers_game/angles_of_error

And yes, you bet... I think I'd rather find a putter I can aim and simply build a stroke that gets me back there at impact.

[GaijinGolfer]

Yeah, setting up with the toe up is definetly not what most pros teach but for whatever reason it helps Tiger sink putts.

IMO, its only a matter of time before Tiger is using a long/belly putter.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by TitleistWI

IMO, its only a matter of time before Tiger is using a long/belly putter.

How much are you willing to bet? How many years do you give it? I'm guessing you'll find plenty of people to take that action.

[GaijinGolfer]

Originally Posted by iacas

How much are you willing to bet? How many years do you give it? I'm guessing you'll find plenty of people to take that action.

I give it 3 years tops if Tiger cant get his putting together on a consistent basis.

[michaeljames92]

I can't understand Tigers obsession with having to 'release the putter head'. It shouldn't be a conscious action to 'release' it. I know Stricker is a fantastic putter yet apparently he tells Tiger to do it. What are your opinions?

[jamo]

I can't understand Tigers obsession with having to 'release the putter head'. It shouldn't be a conscious action to 'release' it. I know Stricker is a fantastic putter yet apparently he tells Tiger to do it. What are your opinions?

If I had to guess, I'd say it's probably because that's the way he's always done that. He talks all the time to going back to what his father taught him when he's putting poorly, and that's what he learned from his dad. He's different with the full swing though, there he's always learned to tinker.

[k-troop]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

The commentators discuss how Foley and Tiger, from looking at video, that Tiger, when putting well, was aiming right of his target line with the toe of the putter up.

Lately, I assume, he's been aiming at his target with a neutral lie. So what do the dynamic duo do?

They have Tiger aim right and with the toe up.... and I guess, Tiger is rolling the toe closed, relying on timing.

Isn't this the way he's always putted?  They've finally identified that he's putting differently now?

Quote:

Originally Posted by iacas

And yes, you bet... I think I'd rather find a putter I can aim and simply build a stroke that gets me back there at impact.

Got any suggestions for such a putter?  Know any fitters?  Seriously though, Erik--I'm a believer in what you say about people not seeing their true aim point more often than not, because I can see that in my own stroke.  But Tiger was the greatest clutch putter the game had ever seen.  I don't care if he was putting with the back of a driver using only his left hand, it worked, and that is how he should be putting now.

Regardless, though--he needs to change something on the greens.  I think (and I've said this before) that his full swing is back where he needs it to be.  He's having a little trouble with distance control, but that will come.  I think (and this is opinion/speculation) that he is putting a ton of pressure on himself with the irons, because he has no expectation that he will be able to make any putt outside of 5 feet.  If his wedge game is off (which it's clearly not great, as brocks has pointed out a few times), I'd guess that it's because he knows he needs birdie in those situations, and the only way he's going to get one is if he puts the ball in gimmie range.

Once he starts making some putts, it will relax his iron game, and everything might come together.

[Mr. Desmond]

The only problem with aiming right and having the toe up, and then rolling the toe closed -- is that it relies on timing. Timing means you can be great one day, and craps the next -- See Tiger  lately for evidence of such issues. Timing typically deteriorates with age, so it might behoove Tiger to have a stroke that remains square to his target line and to aim at his target.  And maybe he ought to pick up a little on Dick Stockton about not remaining over the putt... there is feel that is reliable, and there is feel that relies on timing...

[iacas]

Originally Posted by k-troop

Got any suggestions for such a putter?  Know any fitters?  Seriously though, Erik--I'm a believer in what you say about people not seeing their true aim point more often than not, because I can see that in my own stroke.  But Tiger was the greatest clutch putter the game had ever seen.  I don't care if he was putting with the back of a driver using only his left hand, it worked, and that is how he should be putting now.

Tiger was great, yep. He also putted for two or three hours a day to get his timing down. :) If reverting to the way he used to putt allows him to use his old timing, great. I think we saw a bit of that this week (except maybe Thursday).

Find an Edel fitter near you. If you can aim one of your current putters, great. You'll find out quickly how well you aim your current putter(s).