Question regarding putting.....

[bjwestner]

While I have probably gotten better since I started playing golf with lag putts, I think that I am not as good as I was when I started at making medium distance putts and also making short putts (i.e. under 5 feet).

I know that when I first started golfing, I had no idea what good putting mechanics were, thus when I putted the ball I used a "hingy" wrist type motion.  After learning more about this, I now try to keep my left wrist (I'm right handed) as flat as possible with no cupping of my left wrist at all during the putt.

It seems that this change has resulted in lesser made putts per round and I have noticed a lot more misses from 5 feet and in.  Has anyone else gone through this at all?  I do not think that it's an equipment issue (I have been using an Odyssey White Ice 330 Mallet putter although I am awaiting arrival of the Odyssey White Hot Two Ball as I tried it in the store and liked it much better).  Thus maybe changing to the two ball will help?

It seems like I am aligned right on these putts with the 330 Mallet but they are always missing the cup from under 5 feet.  I do not miss them all but more than when I first started and used my wrists to putt.

[rustyredcab]

Could be mental. The book (I have the audio book), "Putting Out Of Your Mind" by Dr. Bob Rotella helped me instantly.

http://www.amazon.com/Putting-Out-Of-Your-Mind/dp/0743507754

Walking off the third green one day, and after costing our team three holes, I complained to my partner that I had hit ever putt exactly where I wanted and they just were not going in. He said, "Perhaps you should want them to go in the hole." I recall that line often and when it is going badly, I try to think more about the putt going in than making a good stroke.

[iacas]

I disagree that the left wrist should be "locked" and certainly that it should be flat. Making it flat either tends to require a ball position that's well forward in the stance or forces a good amount of de-lofting of the putter with putter shaft lean forward.

[bjwestner]

If that is the case then you are okay with some wrist movement (especially with the left wrist) while putting?  I prefer to putt that way.  In fact I went to the practice green last night and felt much more comfy being a little more "wristy" in my putts versus the flat left wrist that is not allowed to move at all which is preached by many out there.  I also seemed to make more putts going back to my old stroke too....