Hinging Wrists and Putting? What is This Madness??

[saevel25]

I don't know if i think about it or not, basically for putting i just try to feel like i don't move my elbows. I like to maintain a V with my elbows and chest. I don't mention my hands. I also like to keep my head down for about a half a second after impact. This really helps, i get in a bad habit of looking up.

But if i video tape my putting stroke, which i might do now just to check. I probably have a little float. I don't think about it, but i feel like i am moving my hands, and not the clubhead. So i think there's probably a bit of float in the wrist. Let me get the ipad here, and i will check back with ya :p. The reason i think i do is, because i tried to be very restrictive in my putter movement, and everything goes to hell in a hand basket. Feel, consistent striking, distance control.

[dak4n6]

Originally Posted by iacas

Quote:

Originally Posted by dak4n6

I think this thread shows how personal putting is. With the exeption of Tommy Gainy, there is really not that much variation in how pros hit full shots - grip, stance, impact postion, etc.

Huh?

There's tremendous variation in how pros hit full shots. I'd post pictures illustrating what I mean but quite honestly I don't know that I want to take the time - I consider this plainly obvious with even the smallest amount of study. Grips vary, stances vary, impact positions vary, backswings vary, turning rates vary, shot shapes vary, etc.

Putting strokes probably vary least simply because there's less time/distance/space for them to have variations, you don't need to generate much power, etc.

I knew I might invoke some disagreements with that statement, becasue it is subjective, but c'mon Erik, there is much more variation in both form and degree in putting. Ever see anyone hit a full shot left hand low? Claw grip full shot? That would be interesting. How about hiting a full shot with Arnie's old crouching knock-knee address?

[chipandcharge]

Left hand low or right hand low--in case you're curious about which you should use.  I went to a putting clinic, and the pro had us putt one handed, check to see which hand was more stable.  He recommended that they more stable one should be low and active, and the less

stable one should be high and passive.  I'm right handed, and my right handed putting was full of twitching, but my left handed putting

was smooth as silk.  I changed to left hand low immediately, and I'm happy I converted.  There were others in the clinic whose right hand

was smoother and left hand twitched.

[iacas]

I knew I might invoke some disagreements with that statement, becasue it is subjective, but c'mon Erik, there is much more variation in both form and degree in putting. Ever see anyone hit a full shot left hand low? Claw grip full shot? That would be interesting. How about hiting a full shot with Arnie's old crouching knock-knee address?

You must be defining "more variation" quite differently than I do.

All you've listed are different grips (and there are guys with left-hand-low grips on their full swings). Maybe a little posture. The strokes themselves are virtually identical, while the swings of guys vary tremendously - so many things happening over such a larger distance, no, in no way is there "more variation" in putting.

Not on topic here though.

[virtuoso]

Even if you keep your hands and wrists completely rigid, the putter moves independently anyway because the soft tissue can't truely "clamp" the grip. So, you might as well embrace it and soften everything up. Add a little "in-sequence" wrist give as the putter changes directions, and while you're at it, let the hips swivel a very tiny amount to help keep your eyes quiet.

[7 iron]

Like pitching a ball, some have natural talent; some don't. But fundamentals can help go a long way if you don't putt well. To me how you get it there just doesn't matter. Would anyone recommend teaching Mr Palmers style? It was very awkward looking and he slapped the ball (rougher greens understood). He's my hero, but I'd get back spasm putting his way. Some of my best golf friends don't have 6 handicaps because they putt partularly well, they just hit the ball a long way, gaining stroke after stroke on the parr 4/5's. The point is...get it to the hole and another 16". You'd be surprised how many strokes are added by leaving putts short; and how many go in hitting it just a bit past the hole...every time.