Becoming a better putter

[BobbyA]

Evening all,

I'm really struggling with putting at the moment. My speed control is way off so I either leave things very short or smash them past. For context I played 9 today, and had a total of 25 putts! 1 x 4 putt, 6 x 3 putt, 1 x 2 putt and 1, 1 putt.

I had a putting lesson earlier in the year and we worked on set up and tempo, initially things were good but last couple of rounds have been bad.

It's really frustrating because I've worked hard this winter with lessons and my ball striking is really good at present

Any advice to become a better lag putter, any drills to try?

 

[Maninblack4612]

What works for me is to do a couple of practice swings while looking at the hole, concentrating on the length of the stroke. Then put the same stroke on the ball. Improves my speed control no end.

 

[BobbyA]

I already do that, still struggle LOL!

Maybe it's just a couple of bad rounds but the last 3 have had way too many 3 putts!

 

[pendodave]

Tragically, lag putting is mostly reps on the putting green (assuming you're hitting the centre of the putter and have a reasonably repeatable tempo).
Before getting too worried though, a couple of other things - if you leave every approach shot 40 get away, then you're going to 3 putt, and it's not a putting problem.
Also, if you're serious, keep some numbers for a couple of rounds and check them against what someone of a similar handicap would expect to score. It could be that you really are terrible, but if might just be that your expectations of what is "normal" are way off.
One final thing - greens are still a bit inconsistent at this time of year, so wait a month before beatng yourself up!

 

[chico]

It's all about feel I think. You can learn the line and weight but if you can't feel it you'll be out. Most clubs have a practice putting green get on it and work and you'll definitely improve.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Answer to getting me having fewer three putts is me getting my approach shots closer. That sounds trite - and in some ways it is - but in other ways it's the answer.

 

[garyinderry]

That putter wouldn't be in my bag again. It's clearly the putter.

 

[hambugerpete]

Depends on the context. If you're 3 and 4 putting a lot from 10 feet or so then that's bad. If it's like 35 feet plus then it's not unusual to 3 putt.
I find practising pace putting helps, like trying to stop the ball near the edge of the putting green as opposed to trying aiming at a hole.

 

[CliveW]

Depending on where you play, greens are not consistent at this time of the year. At the moment ours are currently undergoing maintenance and some are being tined and sanded so are different pace depending on when they were done. Also there is a lot of bobbling due to repaired pitch marks. My advice would be to concentrate on pace first and then direction. Remember that short putts never go in!

 

[garyinderry]

What putter are you using?

 

[BobbyA]

What putter are you using?

Taylormade Spider

 

[garyinderry]

Taylormade Spider

I was guessing it was going to be some kind of old unforgiving blade.

I'm really not sure what to say. The spider should be stable enough to help you brush in the short putts.

Maybe look at length of swing when hitting short , medium and long putts. Try and be consistent with that. An awareness of it for starters helps.

 

[BobbyA]

When i had the lessons we worked on tempo to ensure it remains consistent. I've had 2 lessons and in the second my tempo was much better and consistent. The trouble is even with a good tempo if i judge the speed incorrectly then i will still be long or short.

Maybe its just more reps on the greens.

 

[Neilds]

When i had the lessons we worked on tempo to ensure it remains consistent. I've had 2 lessons and in the second my tempo was much better and consistent. The trouble is even with a good tempo if i judge the speed incorrectly then i will still be long or short.

Maybe its just more reps on the greens.

You've hit the nail on the head. If you don't practise regularly (and ensure you are practising the right things) then things will never improve. Go back to the practise green, dig deep to remember exactly what the pro taught you and then practise what he said to do.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Depends on the context. If you're 3 and 4 putting a lot from 10 feet or so then that's bad. If it's like 35 feet plus then it's not unusual to 3 putt.
I find practising pace putting helps, like trying to stop the ball near the edge of the putting green as opposed to trying aiming at a hole.

I don't spend much time on the putting green before I go out...but even if I only have time for half dozen putts these will ALL be the longest putts I can do without getting in anyone's way. All about pace.

 

[rulie]

When i had the lessons we worked on tempo to ensure it remains consistent. I've had 2 lessons and in the second my tempo was much better and consistent. The trouble is even with a good tempo if i judge the speed incorrectly then i will still be long or short.

Maybe its just more reps on the greens.

If it's purely pace that is your issue, try just throwing (underhand, rolling) balls to a spot. Get your mind and body to understand the effort required for the distance seen.

 

[Robster59]

A few things that I can suggest.

• Make sure you're not stabbing at the putt. A smooth flowing putting action gives more control than those who stab the putts.
• Don't have a long backswing, that could cause you to decelerate through the putt. Things are more stable with acceleration so a short backswing and a slow steady acceleration through the impact will give you better control.
• Aim at the back of the hole, or a few inches past will perhaps help you from finishing up short.
• Try and be as relaxed as you can and don't grip it too hard.

 

[Backache]

Have you tried putting looking at the hole rather than the ball?
Takes a bit of practice but it improves speed control.

 

[Orikoru]

Read "Putting Out of Your Mind" by Bob Rotella. Putting is 10% technique and 90% mental in my opinion. Reading that book helped me no end. I used to panic and second guess myself after a bad putting day - the book taught me not to overthink it. Just get a line and hit the putt - treat every putt the same. Tell yourself you're a good putter until you believe it. Ignore the setbacks and remember the good ones.

 

[BobbyA]

Read "Putting Out of Your Mind" by Bob Rotella. Putting is 10% technique and 90% mental in my opinion. Reading that book helped me no end. I used to panic and second guess myself after a bad putting day - the book taught me not to overthink it. Just get a line and hit the putt - treat every putt the same. Tell yourself you're a good putter until you believe it. Ignore the setbacks and remember the good ones.

Good idea, I've read golf is not a game of perfect and that was good!