Higher Handicap Because of Terrible Putting

[Dave2512]

It was just abnormally good ball striking. Technically I didn't hit every green but I never had to use a wedge. Some very long first putts that would likely have been a chip on any other day. A couple were over 80 feet across several ridges that got to within 8 feet or so, didn't miss the hole by much with the 2nd putts. I didn't score any worse than usually do.

[Lihu]

This thread is a jinx I 3 putted 4 times on the front last night.

See? It's much easier to do than you thought! :-D

[Dave2512]

The tough thing was the 4 good shots that got me home in two on both par 5's. I can live with 3 putt pars.

[Duff McGee]

The thing I wonder about putting though is this: Even though pros only make 55% of the shots ten feet and in....my % is probably like 20%. They expect to make all these birdies every round. If they have 6 birdies or so in a round, many of the birdies are from longer putts. Is it just that they have so many more opportunities? The other day I think I was putting for birdie at least 8 or 9 times and made none of them. Does that mean that I am actually hurting myself with putting and should allocate more time to putting then?

[RandallT]

The thing I wonder about putting though is this:

Even though pros only make 55% of the shots ten feet and in....my % is probably like 20%. They expect to make all these birdies every round.

If they have 6 birdies or so in a round, many of the birdies are from longer putts. Is it just that they have so many more opportunities? The other day I think I was putting for birdie at least 8 or 9 times and made none of them.

Does that mean that I am actually hurting myself with putting and should allocate more time to putting then?

I see you have a "Lowest Score Wins" badge. That entitles you to the Member Content area of their site:

http://lowestscorewins.com/members/strokes-gained-putting-worksheet

I helped them post a spreadsheet that will tell you roughly (lots of caveats) where you stand in relation to the pros. Here's a snapshot:

You simply enter in the putt distances, and it calculates where you stand. You can PM me if you can't figure out the site, and I can run your numbers for you.  It's cool to see where you stand once in a while.

[Yoji Endo]

IMHO, its going to be hard to lower your score to the next level by putting better.  10 shots is hard to make up by putting alone.  If you are barely breaking 80 with 32 putts, there is no way you are going to break 70 by improving your putting.  Its all about GIR and proximity to hole.  I worked on my wedge game, 40-110 yards and that alone made a 5 stroke difference.  It also improved putting a bit since i was closer to the hole and putting for more eagles and birdies.

Basically, if you are not breaking 90, putting is the least of your concerns.  Focus on ball striking, wedge game, consistent ball contact.  Doesnt matter how well you putt if its always to save a par.

[Duff McGee]

I see you have a "Lowest Score Wins" badge. That entitles you to the Member Content area of their site: [URL=http://lowestscorewins.com/members/strokes-gained-putting-worksheet]http://lowestscorewins.com/members/strokes-gained-putting-worksheet[/URL] I helped them post a spreadsheet that will tell you roughly (lots of caveats) where you stand in relation to the pros. Here's a snapshot: [URL=http://thesandtrap.com/content/type/61/id/129888/] [/URL] You simply enter in the putt distances, and it calculates where you stand. You can PM me if you can't figure out the site, and I can run your numbers for you.  It's cool to see where you stand once in a while.

Thanks for the info. I didn't know I had a badge. I've been running to the mailbox everyday and been disappointed to not receive the book yet. It might have gotten lost in the mail bc I think I ordered it almost 3 weeks ago.

[dchoye]

When I first played golf I like smashing the ball and payed little attention to improve my putting. When I started playing in club events I scoring so high mainly because I was 3 putting half the greens if was an embarrassment I still like swing and driving but putting and chipping had slowly improved to the point that I can feel like I 3 putt maybe once every two rounds. Im playing same course and familiar of the greens help. I admire the guys who can putts lights out on different course and unfamiliar with greens other than their home course I'm convinced being about to read green properly Take aimpoint lesson is half the battle to be a good putter And being more specific aiming like a spot or aim for specific edge like back edge of the cup makes the misses smaller than looking at the whole cup to aim at.

[Duff McGee]

I will say that watching these guys today my putting is nowhere near their levels in that they are sinking a bunch of birdies from 8ft out. I always just assumed that because of the putting statistics that they were making a ton of birdies from 5 feet but most of these guys' birdies per round are a fair distance away.

[mvmac]

I will say that watching these guys today my putting is nowhere near their levels in that they are sinking a bunch of birdies from 8ft out. I always just assumed that because of the putting statistics that they were making a ton of birdies from 5 feet but most of these guys' birdies per round are a fair distance away.

Yes these guys are good but keep in mind that TV coverage can skew your perception. You're watching the 6-10 guys playing their best this week as well as "highlights" from other players making a run.

Average distance of birdie putts made.

http://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.02440.html

And your putting probably isn't as off as you think.

http://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.02327.html

http://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.406.html

[Duff McGee]

Yes these guys are good but keep in mind that TV coverage can skew your perception. You're watching the 6-10 guys playing their best this week as well as "highlights" from other players making a run. Average distance of birdie putts made. [URL=http://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.02440.html]http://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.02440.html[/URL] And your putting probably isn't as off as you think. [URL=http://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.02327.html]http://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.02327.html[/URL] [URL=http://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.406.html]http://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.406.html[/URL]

Thanks Mvmac. I suppose I should be a little more aggressive with my birdie putts but I always shoot higher scores when I "make sure to get the ball to the hole" instead of just focusing on lags. The other day I was like 0 for 9 or 0 for 8 on birdie putts and I missed quite a few 10 footers. But whenever I am more aggressive I make a few birdies a round but also three putt a lot

[Duff McGee]

Someone mentioned something in the PGA Championship thread that I think might be an explanation for why I feel my putting is sub par. I don't necessarily see these guys making tons of big benders and downhill putts (they do make them but not automatic). I think my big issue is that I'm not taking advantage of fairly flat or uphill putts within 15ft.

[dchoye]

just had a ah ha moment playing with a couple of good putters at our club championships Was struggling after 9 and then had lightbulb moment in putting. I was having trouble adjusting to the speed of the greens but if I just imagine the time it takes for the ball to get to the hole For. example a downhill putts travels "slower" so it trickles into the front edge. On downhill hill putts ii ry to be more firm on my stroke So a downhill putt is a "slow putt". And a uphill putt is a " fast putt". It's negative thinking when faced with a downhill putt on fast green and say "it's a fast putt". I said to myself " it's a slow putt". Then I was able to control the speed of the ball better.

[RandallT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duff McGee

I will say that watching these guys today my putting is nowhere near their levels in that they are sinking a bunch of birdies from 8ft out. I always just assumed that because of the putting statistics that they were making a ton of birdies from 5 feet but most of these guys' birdies per round are a fair distance away.

Yes these guys are good but keep in mind that TV coverage can skew your perception. You're watching the 6-10 guys playing their best this week as well as "highlights" from other players making a run.

Average distance of birdie putts made.

http://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.02440.html

And your putting probably isn't as off as you think.

http://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.02327.html

http://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.406.html

@rkim291968 and I are analyzing his putting through the above spreadsheet, and I won't divulge any numbers, but I've followed his ongoing narrative of his golf game in a different thread, and from the numbers we are seeing initially for one round, putting is nowhere near the top of his list of areas to practice. Not even close. I wish I had his putting!

[iacas]

@rkim291968 and I are analyzing his putting through the above spreadsheet, and I won't divulge any numbers, but I've followed his ongoing narrative of his golf game in a different thread, and from the numbers we are seeing initially for one round, putting is nowhere near the top of his list of areas to practice. Not even close. I wish I had his putting!

Got a link?

[RandallT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandallT

@rkim291968 and I are analyzing his putting through the above spreadsheet, and I won't divulge any numbers, but I've followed his ongoing narrative of his golf game in a different thread, and from the numbers we are seeing initially for one round, putting is nowhere near the top of his list of areas to practice. Not even close. I wish I had his putting!

Got a link?

I was referring to the spreadsheet you posted on LSW site:

http://lowestscorewins.com/members/strokes-gained-putting-worksheet (for those with member access and have a mac!). It's been a while since I dug that out and looked at it, as I had moved on to other geeky spreadsheets.

Or did you mean a link to his narrative?

[iacas]

I was referring to the spreadsheet you posted on LSW site:

http://lowestscorewins.com/members/strokes-gained-putting-worksheet (for those with member access and have a mac!). It's been a while since I dug that out and looked at it, as I had moved on to other geeky spreadsheets.

Or did you mean a link to his narrative?

No, I mean a link to his numbers (or the discussion about his specific numbers).

I seem to recall he's wanted to shave 2 strokes putting and is down 1.5, but it sounds like perhaps he's playing his putts from longer distances if you think his putt total is pretty good.

[RandallT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandallT

I was referring to the spreadsheet you posted on LSW site:

http://lowestscorewins.com/members/strokes-gained-putting-worksheet (for those with member access and have a mac!). It's been a while since I dug that out and looked at it, as I had moved on to other geeky spreadsheets.

Or did you mean a link to his narrative?

No, I mean a link to his numbers (or the discussion about his specific numbers).

I seem to recall he's wanted to shave 2 strokes putting and is down 1.5, but it sounds like perhaps he's playing his putts from longer distances if you think his putt total is pretty good.

We're chatting by PM about the putting specifically, so I hope I'm not betraying his confidence to even mention that chat (I don't think so). But that's why I won't mention numbers. As for a link, I'm just lurking in the Drive for 5 thread for people's improvement, so I have a general idea of the people's handicaps and goals (including his):