Jump to content
IGNORED

Matt Kuchar's putting style


Slowcelica
Note: This thread is 2556 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

Does anyone here putt like him, bracing the putter on their lead forearm? I see a few pro's have started putting in that style and have improved their putting. Is there any reason to not putt like this? I've heard people say that it makes putting a lot easier, and I'm looking to really improve my putting this year, and I am looking at changes to help make that happen. What do you guys think?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Moderator
28 minutes ago, Slowcelica said:

Does anyone here putt like him, bracing the putter on their lead forearm? I see a few pro's have started putting in that style and have improved their putting. Is there any reason to not putt like this? I've heard people say that it makes putting a lot easier, and I'm looking to really improve my putting this year, and I am looking at changes to help make that happen. What do you guys think?

Most that are doing it were transitioning from anchored putting.

For you, I would recommend posting your putting stroke and routine in your My Swing thread. I did that a while ago and also as an Evolvr submission.

Scott

Titleist, Edel, Scotty Cameron Putter, Snell - AimPoint - Evolvr - MirrorVision

My Swing Thread

boogielicious - Adjective describing the perfect surf wave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Yea I probably will submit a video to evolr. From the people I have heard that have tried it say that from 8 feet and in its pretty much automatic, but lag putting takes a bit to get. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

23 hours ago, Slowcelica said:

Yea I probably will submit a video to evolr. From the people I have heard that have tried it say that from 8 feet and in its pretty much automatic, but lag putting takes a bit to get. 

 

Don´t worry about that. I think that it´s ok to have 2 putting strokes. One for putts inside 15 feet where you try to hole the putt, favoring accuracy and another for putts over 15 feet where you try to make 2 putts and hole out by luck where you favor speed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Moderator
On 3/27/2017 at 6:47 AM, Slowcelica said:

Does anyone here putt like him, bracing the putter on their lead forearm? I see a few pro's have started putting in that style and have improved their putting. Is there any reason to not putt like this?

I've experimented with it myself and while I really like the general premise of the method the results were mixed. I wanted to try it because it seems like it simplifies the stroke and will help produce good impact numbers (handle forward while rising).

The tough thing is it's not easy to find a putter (other than a Bettinardi) to try it out. One of the guys I play with has a Kuchar putter so I was able to try it with a putter with enough loft. My tendency was to either roll it perfectly or pull it. I couldn't figure out what the heck I was doing differently. 

Here's what I think it was. With my standard stroke I can arc it inward too much on the backswing and loop it it back over on the through swing. With the Kuchar set-up the handle is more forward so the putter can have a tendency to arc even more inward. I even experimented with it with an adjustable length putter I have and got similar results.

If you go out and try it one thing I would recommend is making sure the entire grip stays connected to the left forearm.

 

Mike McLoughlin

Check out my friends on Evolvr!
Follow The Sand Trap on Twitter!  and on Facebook
Golf Terminology -  Analyzr  -  My FacebookTwitter and Instagram 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I have used an arm lock putter for about 1.5 years now. As mvmac states very few models are available, I purchased a like new odyessy wide #1, 42 inches I believe, from Calloway preowned for about $100.  With 30 day trial n then return for full credit I thought why not.  I would not then or now pay $400 or whatever for a Bettinardi.

i had been using a conventional putter, not extended by the way.  It takes some practice, but I have learned to use it and I guess I putt fairly well.  Fellow league members say I putt well.  Play a lot of two man scrambles and many want me to putt last so they can try n give me the line.  Definitely not for everyone, others have tried my putter, and reaction is generally, how the hell can u put with that.  As mvmac states, locking against left arm is required, that is how they are designed to be used.  If u have used conventional for many years, it will be tough and a long learning curve I would guess.  I was fairly new to the game at the time so didn't have long ingrained habits etc.

I also have basically two stroke patterns with it, more straight/back thru for shorter putts, more arcing for longer.

Edited by Fsgolfer
Corrected spelling bettinardi
  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


In February, I found a TaylorMade Rossa “long” putter at an estate sale. I think it is/was a belly putter. Bought it and polished out some scratches. It is pretty with red and black Winn oversize grip.

According to my research, you use this putter like Matt Kuchar does, with the arm-lock putting method that was deemed legal by the USGA and R&A under Rule 14-1b. Although a player can't anchor a putter to his chest or stomach, the arm-lock allows the putter grip to rest against the left forearm in an effort to maintain a stable stroke through impact.

Anyway it felt pretty good…Like it would take out a wristy, off-line stroke. But in the end, it's not for a short guy like me. I gave it to an organization to use as a door prize. -Marv
 

DRIVER: Cleveland 588 Altitude ( Matrix Radix Sv Graphite, A) IRONS: Mizuno JPX-800 HD Irons & 3,4,5 JPX Fli-Hi (Grafalloy Prolaunch Blue Graphite, R); WEDGES: (Carried as needed) Artisan Golf 46, 50, 53, 56 low bounce, 56 high bounce; PUTTER: Mizuno TP Mills 9

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

@marvchamp

yes I forgot to mention in my original post the arm lock definitely reduces or locks any left wrist breakdown etc.   I still have a tendency to let the right hand overpower the left with it.  Same issue with a full swing to some extent, although there are two schools of thought on this, I think.  This is similar to many conventional putters who have gone to a claw right hand to take the right hand influence out.  I played around with a claw right hand, but eventually settled on just relaxing the right hand so the left leads.  Still working on it though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


On 3/28/2017 at 2:29 PM, mvmac said:

Here's what I think it was. With my standard stroke I can arc it inward too much on the backswing and loop it it back over on the through swing. With the Kuchar set-up the handle is more forward so the putter can have a tendency to arc even more inward. I even experimented with it with an adjustable length putter I have and got similar results.

I have the opposite problem, I have a tendency to start to far outward on the backswing.

I ended up picking up a betinardi kucher 2 putter for a decent price. I've only been able to play around with it for a bit in the house, but so far I like it. I used to extend my index fingers down the grip of my traditional putter to help take the wrists out of it, but this really makes it easy to do by locking it into my left forearm. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

On 3/28/2017 at 2:29 PM, mvmac said:

I've experimented with it myself and while I really like the general premise of the method the results were mixed. I wanted to try it because it seems like it simplifies the stroke and will help produce good impact numbers (handle forward while rising).

The tough thing is it's not easy to find a putter (other than a Bettinardi) to try it out. One of the guys I play with has a Kuchar putter so I was able to try it with a putter with enough loft. My tendency was to either roll it perfectly or pull it. I couldn't figure out what the heck I was doing differently. 

Here's what I think it was. With my standard stroke I can arc it inward too much on the backswing and loop it it back over on the through swing. With the Kuchar set-up the handle is more forward so the putter can have a tendency to arc even more inward. I even experimented with it with an adjustable length putter I have and got similar results.

If you go out and try it one thing I would recommend is making sure the entire grip stays connected to the left forearm

What does a Kuchar putter look like? Longer than a usual one with a long grip?

In my bag:

Driver: Titleist TSi3 | 15º 3-Wood: Ping G410 | 17º 2-Hybrid: Ping G410 | 19º 3-Iron: TaylorMade GAPR Lo |4-PW Irons: Nike VR Pro Combo | 54º SW, 60º LW: Titleist Vokey SM8 | Putter: Odyssey Toulon Las Vegas H7

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Moderator
4 hours ago, jamo said:

What does a Kuchar putter look like? Longer than a usual one with a long grip?

Yeah, almost belly length, long grip, putter has about 7 degrees of loft, the hosel bend looks a little different as well (maybe that's because it has more loft).

Bettinardi-Kuchar-Model-1.jpg

IMG_2864.jpg

Mike McLoughlin

Check out my friends on Evolvr!
Follow The Sand Trap on Twitter!  and on Facebook
Golf Terminology -  Analyzr  -  My FacebookTwitter and Instagram 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Note: This thread is 2556 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...