AimPoint, anybody done it ?

[nil1121]

Hello,

I was wondering if anybody has done a Aimpoint putting instruction course ? There seems to be an increasing number of professionals that seem to be taking on this way of reading greens.

If someone has done the course, what did they think of it ? was it worth it ? do they use it ?

My daughter played in the Ladies welsh open last weekend and during the practice round we was behind a welsh international player and with her was one of the welsh coaches and he was using the aimpoint method as he was taking readings of the greens for the pin positions for the next day.

http://www.aimpointgolf.co.uk/

 

[Hendy]

Sounds expensive privilege and to be honest a few lessons with the pro can show/tell you what you need to know in my opinion.

 

[harpo_72]

Is it legal to use in competition? I can see its use in practice rounds. As stated previously is it not better to have a short lesson or read around the subject and practice, this will develop a skill that is transferable.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Homer has done the Seminar and uses it on course. It is apparently legal in competition but I'm not sure I could be bothered with it having seen it in use first hand. I prefer to leave putting to my instincts than get all technical with it. Homer likes it though and his putt reading has I think improved since he started (shame I can't say the same about his actual putting )

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Done the course and yes it is legal in play providing you don't take the read standing on the line of the putt. The cost was £90 for a 3 hour course plus the chart and I get to go on up to two refresher courses for free after that. Has helped enormously and have confidence in my reads. Didn't help me three putting 16 and 17 in the pairs event with Hawkeye on Sunday after hitting GIR's (think he's still not forgiven me - but in truth we were out of contention anyway!)

Here is the copy of the mail regarding the legality
Dear AimPoint Student,

The R&A has issued a decision on AimCharts (Decision Reference Number ES2012-0479) which states that using them during a stipulated round does NOT violate Rule 14-3 (Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment) provided that:

1. It is not used as a physical reference for gauging angle. This means that in R&A governed rounds you cannot use the AimChart at the MidPoint to pick the angle, you will have to visually pick the angle based on how it intersects your body, then move away from the MidPoint before looking up the break on the AimChart.
2. Golfers play without undue delay (Rule 6-7)
3. Players do not stand on or touch the line of the putt (Rule 16-1a)

Points 2 and 3 are existing rules governing standard play which you probably know already. The USGA has not commented on this decision, but to be safe we recommend that anyone playing USGA-governed rounds follow the same process. This modified process is just as efficient, just be sure to practice what angles visually look like when standing at the MidPoint. Two AimPoint players who already modified their process won this week—Stacy Lewis on the LPGA and Stacey Keating on the Ladies European Tour.

If you have any further questions regarding this decision, please feel free to contact your AimPoint Certified Instructor.

 

[percy_layer]

If you can justify the cost then I would highly recommend it. I had serious doubts about the value of the course when I drove to the venue but found it invaluable, especially for my coaching.
Will use a simplified method while coaching on the course without using the chart or Swinkey, mainly determining left or right break and where the zero line is.
Putting coaching on the practice green will involve the Swinkey and Inclimometer, helps improve real aim over perceived aim.
When you're used to the routine, it takes seconds to determine the break on greens.

 

[nil1121]

thanks for the replies, thinking about sending the daughter on the course as sometimes she does struggle to see breaks on greens.

 

[golfdub]

Im doing this in june for £170 I get breakeast aim point ciurse a 18 hile stableford comp and dinner

 

[scratch]

Anything that is going to lead to more dicking about on the greens and slowing down play even further has to be a bad thing!

This sort of thing is only of benefit if you are actually able to hit the ball on the intended line at the correct pace anyway which most club golfers can't do.

 

[need_my_wedge]

My brother did the course and swears by it. Didn't seem to cause any slowdown whilst he was working it out when I last played against him..

 

[mattdeeks]

So is it all about a chart and knowing the stimp reading?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Anything that is going to lead to more dicking about on the greens and slowing down play even further has to be a bad thing!

Naive at best. It takes a matter of seconds to get the angle, usually while others are still marking their balls, a quick read on the chart and you are ready. How is this any different to someone spending ages crouching behnd the ball trying to get a read. Surely any putt has to be hit on the intended line and with the right pace so can't see how Aimpoint or not makes a difference

 

[mattdeeks]

Do you have to do the course or can you pick it up by yourself?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I guess you could do it yourself but not sure how you'd work out the break depending on the slope and speed

 

[duncan mackie]

I guess you could do it yourself but not sure how you'd work out the break depending on the slope and speed

physics?

 

[mattdeeks]

I guess you could do it yourself but not sure how you'd work out the break depending on the slope and speed

How do you work out the stimp of a course your visiting? Ask pro shop or is there another way?

 

[6inchcup]

i was taught how to read greens when i was 13 (over 40 years ago) by the club pro as part of my lessons,little things about how the grass grows and looking for the path that water takes,looking round the cup at the angle and were to aim for up hill break as well as down hill ones,BUT it was always instilled in me that it was all about feel and instinct as well as hours of practice,i have had a few putting lessons from a pro who trained with dave pelz and to be honest he said the same things as the old pro did all those years ago,as for asking a club pro what his greens are running on the stimpmeter on a daily basis and he would look at you in disbelief.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

How do you work out the stimp of a course your visiting? Ask pro shop or is there another way?

There is a way to work it out the Aimpoint way.

 

[scratch]

Naive at best. It takes a matter of seconds to get the angle, usually while others are still marking their balls, a quick read on the chart and you are ready. How is this any different to someone spending ages crouching behnd the ball trying to get a read. Surely any putt has to be hit on the intended line and with the right pace so can't see how Aimpoint or not makes a difference

No it's not naive because this isn't a substitute for spending ages crouching behind the ball, it's in addition to that time so it's going to lengthen a round. There are already way too many people looking at putts from every angle and messing about, factor in this as well and a round of golf will take forever.

 

[mattdeeks]

There is a way to work it out the Aimpoint way.

It all seems a little hush hush looking through the Internet? Where did you do your course? Do you have to do the course to get the charts etc.