Wristy Putting Stroke

[AirShad]

Recently, I realized the (in my opinion) correct way to release a club for full shots was to almost feel like I'm throwing the club with my right hand at the ball.

I had found some old putting tips from some of the greats: Bobby Jones, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus. Many of them had very wristy putting strokes, which feels very similar to the release of other clubs.

I understand these players had somewhat slower greens than today, but why is it generally not advisable to putt this way on modern greens?

Distance control doesn't seem to be a problem with this stroke and that's really all you would need to control for faster greens.

Also, Brandt Snedeker has the exact same stroke now and he's an excellent putter.

 

Edited February 28, 2019 by AirShad

[klineka]

15 minutes ago, AirShad said:

I understand these players had somewhat slower greens than today, but why is it generally not advisable to putt this way on modern greens?

Because modern greens are much much faster and smoother than greens from 50+ years ago

Also, I'd also say we know more about what motions deliver the most repeatable and optimal results thanks to advancements in technology with high speed cameras and launch monitors/SAM Putt Lab 

15 minutes ago, AirShad said:

Also, Brandt Snedeker has the exact same stroke now and he's an excellent putter.

One player is too small of a sample size. If most PGA Tour players don't do it, there's probably a reason why

Edited February 28, 2019 by klineka
additional content

[Piz]

Watch some of the old, grainy, footage of guys like Bobby Jones putting.  Those guys were basically chipping with a sawed-off cleek.  The balls bounce across the green on the way to the hole and pull up quickly.  As the late Ken Venturi once said: the greatest technological advance in his lifetime, pertaining to the game of golf, was the lawn mower.

[AirShad]

2 minutes ago, Piz said:

Watch some of the old, grainy, footage of guys like Bobby Jones putting.  Those guys were basically chipping with a sawed-off cleek.  The balls bounce across the green on the way to the hole and pull up quickly.  As the late Ken Venturi once said: the greatest technological advance in his lifetime, pertaining to the game of golf, was the lawn mower.

I agree Bobby is a bit of an extreme example because his greens were most likely cut higher than modern fairways. However, what about the stroke makes it not suited for lightning fast greens... I would assume it is distance control as that is the differentiating factor between the two types of greens simply because of speed. But with a refined stroke this way, distance control doesn’t seem to be an issue. 

[Piz]

I think, like @klineka mentioned, that a wristy stroke is more difficult to control...for most people.  In addition, modern putters are not designed with either the method, or conditions, that players were accustom to in the 1920's.  That doesn't mean that a wristy, or wristier, putting stroke cannot be effective...just that it has fallen out of fashion for good reason.  If putters were still made the way they were 100 years ago...I imagine the putting stroke, as we have come to know it, would be somewhat different.

That should read "for" either the method, or conditions, etc...

Edited February 28, 2019 by Piz
mistake

[iacas]

6 hours ago, AirShad said:

Also, Brandt Snedeker has the exact same stroke now and he's an excellent putter.

He doesn’t, actually. It’s a normal stroke that’s simply at a fast tempo.

[AirShad]

26 minutes ago, iacas said:

He doesn’t, actually. It’s a normal stroke that’s simply at a fast tempo.

He does actually it’s just pretty condensed for the faster greens I would assume. Watch a putting video of his and you’ll see the butt end of his putter barely moves. He also says his stroke is a throwback. 

[Vinsk]

4 minutes ago, AirShad said:

He does actually it’s just pretty condensed for the faster greens I would assume. Watch a putting video of his and you’ll see the butt end of his putter barely moves. He also says his stroke is a throwback. 

 

No. He doesn't. At 0:15 in slow motion. Not a 'wristy' stroke at all. 

Edited March 1, 2019 by Vinsk

[iacas]

19 minutes ago, AirShad said:

He does actually it’s just pretty condensed for the faster greens I would assume. Watch a putting video of his and you’ll see the butt end of his putter barely moves. He also says his stroke is a throwback. 

No. I have multiple SAM PuttLab reports from Brandt. It’s not that wristy.

Watch the video above from @Vinsk.

[SPJr]

On 2/28/2019 at 3:40 PM, AirShad said:

Recently, I realized the (in my opinion) correct way to release a club for full shots was to almost feel like I'm throwing the club with my right hand at the ball.

I have no comment for the putting portion of this.... I have a question.

Does anyone agree or disagree with his statement about "almost feel(ing) like I'm throwing the club with my right hand..." statement?

I'm just curious, because I have been thinking about 'releasing' a club a lot this off-season and just might spend some time focusing on it when the weather breaks.

[iacas]

15 minutes ago, SPJr said:

I have no comment for the putting portion of this.... I have a question.

Does anyone agree or disagree with his statement about "almost feel(ing) like I'm throwing the club with my right hand..." statement?

I'm just curious, because I have been thinking about 'releasing' a club a lot this off-season and just might spend some time focusing on it when the weather breaks.

In a putting stroke? No.

[boogielicious]

19 minutes ago, SPJr said:

I have no comment for the putting portion of this.... I have a question.

Does anyone agree or disagree with his statement about "almost feel(ing) like I'm throwing the club with my right hand..." statement?

I'm just curious, because I have been thinking about 'releasing' a club a lot this off-season and just might spend some time focusing on it when the weather breaks.

For me, I try to feel the opposite. I let the left hand have a firmer grip and have the right hand only stabilize the shaft. I use the feel that gravity is moving the club on the down-stroke. I get much better distance control that way.

[SPJr]

25 minutes ago, iacas said:

In a putting stroke? No.

Sorry. I should have been more clear.

No, not in a putting stroke. In a regular swing.

[iacas]

Just now, SPJr said:

Sorry. I should have been more clear.

No, not in a putting stroke. In a regular swing.

This topic isn't about the regular swing.

I'd recommend finding (or starting) a topic on the regular swing if you want to discuss that. But understand that you'll probably get a lot of "feel ain't real" types of responses because, well, it isn't.

[SPJr]

7 minutes ago, iacas said:

This topic isn't about the regular swing.

I'd recommend finding (or starting) a topic on the regular swing if you want to discuss that. But understand that you'll probably get a lot of "feel ain't real" types of responses because, well, it isn't.

Noted. Thank you.

[Buckeyebowman]

Looking at the slo-mo video it's not really a "wristy" stroke, but it is certainly what I would call a "pop" stroke. The follow through is much shorter than the backstroke. And the left wrist does break down just a little through impact, but not like in the old days. I guess it comes to whatever works for you! Just a little while ago I noticed Brooks Koepka putting with the index finger of his right hand extended down the grip! 

[iacas]

23 minutes ago, Buckeyebowman said:

And the left wrist does break down just a little through impact

Virtually everyone's does, or your elbow would have to keep coming off your rib cage.