How to Practice Long Putts

[Golfingdad]

I calibrate longer putts this way.

When I take the putter back and my right bicep meets my right side, that's the length of backswing that sends the ball ~15 feet.

Taking it back farther, I feel a slight tug on my lower left side from the torque of turning. That's the length of backswing that sends the ball ~22 feet.

When take the putter back still farther, the sensation transfers to the center of my lower back = ~30 feet.

Going back more, the tug is felt on the lower left side = ~40 feet.

Much beyond 40 feet, I use the 40 feet stroke and add a little pop with my right hand.

Practice these strokes during a warm-up before the round to see what they deliver on that course on that day to adjust the distances if necessary.

I like it!

This kind of thought process works perfectly if you are using a proper pendulum stroke where you're hitting the ball with zero acceleration (or even a slight decel) because it's easily replicated.  Those who try to accelerate through the putts are going to have a hard time being consistent with a system like this - or with long putts in general - as I was until just last year.  Realizing that I was accelerating into the ball and taking a much-too-short backswing and correcting it has turned me into (at least IMO ;)) a really good putter.

[golflovin]

This little guy helped my tremendously with my long puts, and I can practice in my office which is a plus.

[Torres9]

For me it depends a lot on the speed of the greens themselves based on a stimpmeter. I tend to play better on faster greens and seem to sometimes struggle to adjust to municipal type public courses which are cut to protect the green from high traffic and roll slower and sometimes inconsistent. When you play on consistent greens the mind set for long putts is is usually confident - respect. Confident I can roll the putt and give it a chance to go in and not think too much and be overly careful, but respect the speed of the green and not be careless with lag either.

[joekelly]

@billchao Is ballstriking a defined word applicable only to woods and the various irons?

Don't you think the pros, indeed all top putters, strike the ball with the putter much more consistently than we do?  Watch that Mike Shannon video and recall that the pros are much tighter in consistency, tighter in arc-line and more uniform in motion, compared to ams.

And personally, if i am thinking about the clubhead when putting, usually disaster results.  JNicklaus says, (a paraphrase) 'focus on the spot 6 inches in front of the ball over which the ball will travel to the hole'.  No looking at the putter before impact.

[RFKFREAK]

@scorpion12 , @Ernest Jones covered it.  There a bunch of drills you can do indoors and even make up your own to create variety.  I do the gate and the last drill Jason mentioned which is like playing pool with your putter.  The idea is to nail your aim and start line down, then you only need to worry about speed on the course.

A little late to this discussion but how do you practice bead indoors with a knitting needles and string?

[Golfingdad]

A little late to this discussion but how do you practice bead indoors with a knitting needles and string?

Gotta get creative ... off the top of my head, I'm thinking ditch the needles and just tie the string between the legs of two dining room chairs 3-4" off the ground.  That oughta do the trick, no?

[dsc123]

Another thing Erik suggested for beading that works inside is to putt on a metal yard stick.  I can't say whether it works or not because the few times I've tried it my  toddlers thought it was a game for them and would grab my ball just as i start my backswing.  Seems like it would work, though.

Also for those of you who want to try the string but are confusing by "knitting needles", they sell them at golf stores, too.  It just costs a bit more.   http://www.amazon.com/Golf-Training-Aid-Putting-String/dp/B007BAOI4G

[RFKFREAK]

Another thing Erik suggested for beading that works inside is to putt on a metal yard stick.  I can't say whether it works or not because the few times I've tried it my  toddlers thought it was a game for them and would grab my ball just as i start my backswing.  Seems like it would work, though. Also for those of you who want to try the string but are confusing by "knitting needles", they sell them at golf stores, too.  It just costs a bit more.   [URL=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode;=ur2&camp;=1789&creative;=9325&tag;=thesandtrap-20&location;=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FGolf-Training-Aid-Putting-String%2Fdp%2FB007BAOI4G]http://www.amazon.com/Golf-Training-Aid-Putting-String/dp/B007BAOI4G[/URL]

Yeah, I've done that drill and I surprised myself because I'm a terrible putter and I didn't do the drill as badly as I thought I would.

[Patch]

I sort of do what Scott describes. I will start off with some practice lag putting. I will try up hills, down hills, and level putts. I will usually start off with hitting putts from one side of the practice green to the other side.  This gives me an idea of what my longest putt might be once on the course. From there I will hit 20 footers, 10 footers, and so on, while mixing the distances up.  Except for the putts across the practice green, I always have a target in mind to putt to.  The down side is that sometimes the practice greens are not in the same shape as the course greens. The green speeds don't  match up. When that happens, I  need to get my distance strokes dialed in during the first three holes or less when out playing if I want a successful putting day.

I never used the string and needles idea.  To much trouble, especially if the practice area is crowded. I just use a dime, penny, or something similar, and place the coin 12"-24" in front of the ball. I then try to stroke the ball straight, to roll it over the coin. Obviously this works best when on a some what level green. Indoor carpeted areas are another good place to use the coins. If the ball rolls over the coin, then I am hitting straight putts off my putter face. Regardless of the distance, I still need to hit straight putts. It's my contention that all putts should be hit straight to a spot, that may or may not be the hole. The ball may never reach the spot on those putts that curve, but it is still my intended target.

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

@scorpion12

,

@Ernest Jones

covered it.  There a bunch of drills you can do indoors and even make up your own to create variety.  I do the gate and the last drill Jason mentioned which is like playing pool with your putter.  The idea is to nail your aim and start line down, then you only need to worry about speed on the course.

A little late to this discussion but how do you practice bead indoors with a knitting needles and string?

The knitting needles are for outside.  I do the "hit ball to ball drill" a lot.  Put a ball 1 to 3 feet away on a flat lie and aim to putt your ball to hit the other ball dead center.  Don't just putt to barely touch it either.  Give it a whack like you are putting a 30 footer.  Ideally, the putt ball should stop and the other ball go directly forward.  It is like playing pool.

[RFKFREAK]

The knitting needles are for outside.  I do the "hit ball to ball drill" a lot.  Put a ball 1 to 3 feet away on a flat lie and aim to putt your ball to hit the other ball dead center.  Don't just putt to barely touch it either.  Give it a whack like you are putting a 30 footer.  Ideally, the putt ball should stop and the other ball go directly forward.  It is like playing pool.

Ahh. So, does the second ball have to go straight for you to consider it a successful effort or just hit it?

[Abu3baid]

Ahh. So, does the second ball have to go straight for you to consider it a successful effort or just hit it?

I don't know the answer to the question, but I becernpracticednit this way, for me it was always get it to just barely touch. I can't wait to practice it the other way though, it sounds like it will help with me getting a more confident stroke too!

[rehmwa]

Well, it appears that your "man card" is safe for the foreseeable future.

Unless he goes into a Joanne's store.   Then forfeit.

I'd even say it's a bit in jeopardy for not just rigging up the equivalent - Stretch a (chalk line, string, twine, fencing wire, woven animal tendons) between (two sticks, two knives, two bowie knives, two tent stakes, two spare pieces of extra chewy beef jerky).

Half a man card for using alignment sticks but only because golfers might have them handy (1/2 a point to keep for using what's available, 1/2 point loss for purchasing something that's essentially just a straight stick).

[Shindig]

Unless he goes into a Joanne's store.   Then forfeit.

What if I go to a Michael's instead?

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

The knitting needles are for outside.  I do the "hit ball to ball drill" a lot.  Put a ball 1 to 3 feet away on a flat lie and aim to putt your ball to hit the other ball dead center.  Don't just putt to barely touch it either.  Give it a whack like you are putting a 30 footer.  Ideally, the putt ball should stop and the other ball go directly forward.  It is like playing pool.

Ahh. So, does the second ball have to go straight for you to consider it a successful effort or just hit it?

As you get better it will.  It also depends on how flat your floor is and how far the ball is away.  Start with 1 foot.  You will get the hang of it quickly.

[RFKFREAK]

As you get better it will.  It also depends on how flat your floor is and how far the ball is away.  Start with 1 foot.  You will get the hang of it quickly.

Yeah, I did a bit of this this weekend and was successful from 1 foot or so away the ten times I did it. Between this and the yard stick drill, my aim doesn't appear to be the weakest part of my putting game.