Putting error on and off the course

[ZappyAd]

I've been practicing my putting recently and so have maybe started noticing more about the results I get on the green.  One thing that does seem to be happening is that my average miss on the practice green is measurably different from my miss during a round.  By this I mean that on the practice green for 15-20' putts I pretty consistently get it to within 3', meaning I get down in 2 most of the time.  On course for putts in the same range I reckon my error is about 5' which means I more often take a 3 (or 4 eek).

I'm guessing this could be down to lots of different factors - speeds might be different on the course and between each green, I spend more time on the practice green so I can read it better etc.  Obviously the biggy is probably that on the course the putt means more and that is affecting me.  I do think though that having a stat to measure might be useful in tracking if I can improve my putting on course, was just wondering if anyone else did something similar and had any tips on the best way to record all this data!

[garush34]

I would think that it could be down to how you practice. If you are standing in one stop hitting the same put 2-3 times your adjusting for the speed of the green etc. On the practice green you should never try to play the same put twice, moving around different targets is best as this keeps the mind thinking about it.

[Gator Hazard]

Another factor could be:  Does your practice green change the hole locations from time to time (my home course does not)?  If not, then it could also be that you know every way the ball is going to roll from all directions because you have spent so much time on the practice green (putting to the same locations) whereas they change the pin location on the greens in play every day.  This assumes you do most of your putting practice at the same location or a few locations of course.

Edited October 15, 2015 by Gator Hazard

[Patch]

Another issue is the time of day you play and/or practice. I have noticed over the years that greens change speed during the day. Also most practice greens will roll different than on course greens. Fresh cut greens roll faster than those in between cuts. 

To be decent putter the golfer has to be able to hit a straight putt. Then the golfer has to adjust to the speed and the greens slopes. Ajusting to speed is probably the tougher of the three.

[saevel25]

I'm guessing this could be down to lots of different factors - speeds might be different on the course and between each green, I spend more time on the practice green so I can read it better etc.  Obviously the biggy is probably that on the course the putt means more and that is affecting me.  I do think though that having a stat to measure might be useful in tracking if I can improve my putting on course, was just wondering if anyone else did something similar and had any tips on the best way to record all this data!

Speed doesn't change enough to be worth 5 feet of error. I doubt your aim would be off 5 FT versus speed control even if you read the practice green better. 

First, ditch practicing 15-20' putts. They are statistically unimportant compared to 3-15' and 25'+. If you want to work on distance control then practice putting from 25' and out. Try to get the ball to end up with in 10% distance you putted from. So if you have a 40 FT putt you want to be with in 4 FT. 

If you still struggle on distance control then post a video of your putting stroke. It might be you have too short of a backstroke. Most people don't take a long enough backstroke on long putts. 
 

Edited October 15, 2015 by saevel25

[ZappyAd]

I would think that it could be down to how you practice. If you are standing in one stop hitting the same put 2-3 times your adjusting for the speed of the green etc. 

I tend to play a 'round' with one ball and hole out each time (hence I know I am getting down in 2 most times)

Another factor could be:  Does your practice green change the hole locations from time to time (my home course does not)?  

They don't change by much so this could be a problem - I try to vary where I start from and not play all the holes in the same order every time but ultimately it is the same piece of grass.

.

[mvmac]

I've been practicing my putting recently and so have maybe started noticing more about the results I get on the green.  One thing that does seem to be happening is that my average miss on the practice green is measurably different from my miss during a round.  By this I mean that on the practice green for 15-20' putts I pretty consistently get it to within 3', meaning I get down in 2 most of the time.  On course for putts in the same range I reckon my error is about 5' which means I more often take a 3 (or 4 eek).

Couple good threads to take a look at. If speed control is an issue, good chance you need to stop accelerating on your putts and lengthen your backstroke. Don't gauge the distance by how much you "hit" your putts, do it with how far back you take the putter.