Putting Problems!!!!

[Cali Golfer]

I'm usually a pretty descent putter, but lately i've been hesitating when it comes time to putt. My pre-putt routine is fine, but when it comes time to address the ball and start my putting stroke I hesitate. I hesitate just enough that it throws off my stroke and it's either too long or too short. I have have no consistency to my stroke right now and my game is suffering. Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated!

[Mr. Desmond]

Review your ball position, it sounds inconsistent resulting in pushes and pulls

Take your address position, now straighten up. Next, put your club down to the ball without moving your arms. If the ball rests naturally up against the face at address - the problem lies elsewhere. If the ball is far behind or on top of the ball, the issue is ball position.

If not, you may be using your arms or hands too much.

To find the problem, get neutral -- see patobriengolf.com

Pat is a big believer in a neutral setup.

[saevel25]

stop thinking about missing or making, tell yourself that you need to stroke this putt three seconds after you get into your set up. Just count, one-two-three, putt..

[rustyredcab]

You didn't get to be a 5.8 index with a wishy washy putting stroke that requires lots of technical help. Stop thinking about your stroke and hit the ball to your target at the correct speed. Tune everything else out except your target and speed. Trust your instincts to do the rest.

I found Dr. Bob Rotell's book "Putting Out of Your Mind" improved my putting after one listen and keeps improving my putting with additional listens. (I like the audio book which has Dr. Rotell as the reader.) You can download it and start thinking better today.

I did not make every putt Saturday. But I hit lots of great putts and only hit two or three where I let bad thinking hurt my effort. Putting is now more fun and a good part of my game in no small part because of that book.

[goodatgolf]

Maybe it sounds too simple, but just stop hesitating. Seems you just have to relax some.

If you know that you are waiting too much. Focus on doing your routine and just roll the rock.

And don't make each putt more important than it is. If you make it fine if not fine as well. You always play 18 holes.

[westcyderydin]

The issue could be a mix of mindset and pre-shot routine...if you aren't ready to step up and hit the ball then you must not have gone through everything well enough in your pre-shot routine.

In your mind you want to know exactly what you are going to do when you step up to the ball.  Once you step up to the ball, you are just executing what your mind and body read in you pre-shot routine.

Once you step up to the ball, you should have already have made the putt in your mind.  Whether you feel that in your practice stroke (if you take one), or when you are behind the ball, you need to make the putt in your mind before you setup and hit your shot.

To get into this line of thought you either need some sort of confidence or you need to trick yourself.  One great thing to do to build that confidence is to make putts.  That means practicing.

In the two leagues i am in, i notice that i take far more 1-2 foot putts than anyone on the practice green.  I feel it helps with my alignment, but i also get the feel of hitting the ball into the cup.  The cup is a lot wider when it is a foot away than what it looks like from 10 feet isn't it, haha.  Then i will of course hit some long putts and then a few from 5, 10 15 ft., etc...but you want to get the feel of hitting the ball in the hole.

So to recap...and maybe add a thought or two...

1) Use your pre-shot routine to judge your line first, then your distance.  I like to feel the distance of the putt last thing before i step up to the ball because i feel that it is far more important than line.

2) Make the putt in your mind before you step up to the ball.

3) The only thing you are doing when you step up to the ball and make your putt is EXECUTING what is already felt in your mind and body.

4) Make a lot of putts.  Between practicing, and finishing out when you play...gain confidence on the greens by making putts.

5) Trust your unconscious mind... Your conscious mind is good at setting up what you want to do, but when it comes to executing, your unconscious mind will be much more effective.

6) This mindset can be used for any shot on the course, not just on the green.

I have ADHD so i have had to do a lot of work to get my mental game to a point where i can get to the level i believe i am physically capable of.  Not there yet, but i think that's true for everybody.  Good luck, and hope this helps.