Basic Putting Technique

[UnfairWay]

So I'm very new to this game and frankly not very good. However, I am improving - I've had a couple of lessons, put work in at the range to work on what my teacher tells me and it's having an effect. My irons are getting longer and straighter; my driving is still very, VERY slicey but the slice is getting less with work; chipping I haven't had a lesson on but the area I naturally feel most comfortable with so no major difficulty.

The one big issue I have is with putting. All other shots I am far from perfect, but i have a method - I know what I am trying to do, I have a basic awareness of what causes problems, and therefore what to try and fix if I'm hitting it badly. I have never once been taught a putting technique, and don't expect to do much of it in future lessons (there's only so much you can focus on after all), but I need to develop a simple, basic technique which will service me OK for now. Can anyone recommend a basic technique, or a video article which will help me develop this.

For context, my current, made up as I go along / copied from others technique:

• Thumbs both pointing straight down the shaft directly in front of my chest, fingers interlocking, right index finger on the back of the shaft
• Feet lined up
• Hands slightly in front (similar to set up for an iron)
• Head over the ball
• "Pendulum", all movement from the shoulders (wrists rigid)

[saevel25]

51 minutes ago, UnfairWay said:

• "Pendulum", all movement from the shoulders (wrists rigid)

Don't do this. Allow your wrist to be softer. By taking the wrist out of it you take feel out of the putt. It's hard to gauge distance control with just use shoulder turn. 

 

 

[Groucho Valentine]

Ive discovered that there really is no right or wrong way to putt. The only mechanical constant I've found with good putters vs poor ones is that good putters are always loose through their forearms and they have good eye lines. They set themselves up in a way where they see their lines over the putt and they deliver the ball on that line to the hole.  But i think how one does that is totally up to the player. Equipment plays a factor, but not as much that gets made of it, IMO. So employ whatever method you feel helps you drain putts. No matter how unorthodox it may seem at first. 

Edited July 27, 2016 by Groucho Valentine

[boogielicious]

1 hour ago, UnfairWay said:

So I'm very new to this game and frankly not very good. However, I am improving - I've had a couple of lessons, put work in at the range to work on what my teacher tells me and it's having an effect. My irons are getting longer and straighter; my driving is still very, VERY slicey but the slice is getting less with work; chipping I haven't had a lesson on but the area I naturally feel most comfortable with so no major difficulty.

The one big issue I have is with putting. All other shots I am far from perfect, but i have a method - I know what I am trying to do, I have a basic awareness of what causes problems, and therefore what to try and fix if I'm hitting it badly. I have never once been taught a putting technique, and don't expect to do much of it in future lessons (there's only so much you can focus on after all), but I need to develop a simple, basic technique which will service me OK for now. Can anyone recommend a basic technique, or a video article which will help me develop this.

For context, my current, made up as I go along / copied from others technique:

• Thumbs both pointing straight down the shaft directly in front of my chest, fingers interlocking, right index finger on the back of the shaft
• Feet lined up
• Hands slightly in front (similar to set up for an iron)
• Head over the ball
• "Pendulum", all movement from the shoulders (wrists rigid)

I recommend reading, The Art of Putting, but Stan Utley. I use this set up and technique. It is very natural and relaxed in my opinion. I also stand fairly tall. I also agree with @saevel25 that you shouldn't be rigid. I keep a fairly firm grip with my left hand, but my arms are relaxed. I am a pretty decent putter and average about 32-33 putt per round.

[UnfairWay]

 Thanks for the suggestions. I will certainly think about my wrists / forearms next time I putt or practice putting, and the Stan Utley book looks good, seems to get good reviews on this site and others so will definitely check it out.

Can anyone recommend a good video tutorial? Verbal advice is useful but nothing beats seeing it for yourself. I'm careful of just googling this kind of thing, there's a whole load of info out there and I've got no way of knowing what's good and what's crap.

Edited July 28, 2016 by UnfairWay

[saevel25]

4 hours ago, UnfairWay said:

Can anyone recommend a good video tutorial? Verbal advice is useful but nothing beats seeing it for yourself. I'm careful of just googling this kind of thing, there's a whole load of info out there and I've got no way of knowing what's good and what's crap.

A good drill would be to place two pennies down on the green, between you and the ball, parallel to the target line. Make sure the pennies are equal distance from the ball. Then make putting strokes so your backstroke equals your forward stroke. 

Make putts with soft wrists and letting gravity do a bit more work than your shoulders and torso.