Can't Putt - Can't Putt - Can't Putt

[BrizoH71]

I'd second the get a lesson approach, also checking you're using the right putter for your stroke.

My putting has improved drastically for the move to a centre-shafted putter from a blade putter.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Ive never had a single lesson with anything to do with golf, Handicap is now at 8

I didn't have one and I got to 6 - but unbeknown to me I developed and grooved a very serious swing fault that only years later has manifest itself and has caused me serious problems. The fault was so ingrained in my swing muscle memory that it is a real struggle to fix and I am essentially having to develop a 'new' swing. So beware of feeling good about getting low with no lessons. I suggest asking your pro to give your swing an MOT - just so you are aware of any faults that could cause you problems - if not now then sometime down the line. I wish I had.

 

[rksquire]

Sometimes when I lose confidence with the putting stroke I'll revert to a more of a stab at the ball, with the strength of the stab varying. If you're an 8 handicapper and reasonably co-ordinated there's a natural feel to the strength of this but the role isn't as pure but it's a nice quick stroke that invariably leaves the ball within a 2ft radius and a reasonable fall back if my putting is off.

 

[Crocodile JD]

One tip I was given that has helped me was to always let the putter head follow the ball and track towards the hole on the short 5 footers and under. Helps keep on line and prevents deceleration as I have a tendency to pull them left

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I fixed my putting by developing a routine that I stick to religiously for EVERY putt. In that way I take all prep variables out of the equation and doing the same thing every time the feel comes.

 

[turkish]

I'm a terrible putter. Felt like I made some good progress playing in Spain, but since getting back I've putted awfully. 3 rounds in a row with over 2 putts per hole so have decided to commit some serious time this winter to improving my putting. I've bought a Welling Putt mat which I love so far and going to read in a book or two and see how much I can improve.

How are you getting on with this? Is it the 4m or 3m one you got? I am thinking about getting one to replace my small 6 foot one- only thing I've found is in the house, straight putts with no breaks it gets a bit boring but I guess learning a continuous stroke would help a lot

 

[Thexindi]

Have now tried some lead weights onto my putter head and today played a round with it.
Slight improvements but nothing to freak out about I got a few longer putts past the hole (barely) so I'm gonna stick with that awhile and see how it goes

 

[Ian_S]

Often I find when I've had a lot of putts I look back and realise I just happened to have lots of longer putts, so fewer one putt opportunities, more risk of three stabs.

Best thing, practice from different distances and work out where you're worst from (pro's make 50% from eight feet, amateurs five, are you making half your six footers, for instance?)

 

[Thexindi]

Often I find when I've had a lot of putts I look back and realise I just happened to have lots of longer putts, so fewer one putt opportunities, more risk of three stabs.

Best thing, practice from different distances and work out where you're worst from (pro's make 50% from eight feet, amateurs five, are you making half your six footers, for instance?)

My short putting lets say 8 feet in is quite decent I think its my longer putting I really do struggle with always leave the long putts short then next long putt I hit too hard I have no consistency in my long putts

 

[tsped83]

It sounds as though you need to spend a while on the putting green and practice your lag putting. Not an exciting answer but focused and specific practice is all you need!

 

[bobmac]

I'd say your backswing is too short on the long putts

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Practice your distance control and lag putting. It's not exciting and needs patience and a strong mind not to get bored after a few minutes but will be worth it in the long run, especially tied in with a lesson to check the fundamentals

 

[t0m]

Putting is the 1 thing that is easy to work on over winter I practice in the living room while the wife is at work

 

[delc]

Putting is the 1 thing that is easy to work on over winter I practice in the living room while the wife is at work

Easy if you are a kept man! :mmm:

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

We have a couple of small diameter holes on our putting green - I've recommended practicing to these holes to a couple of folks who have struggled with their putting - but putting from no more than 18". You have to get weight and direction bang on to hole them; it's difficult to leave them short and I tell folk to try and hit the back of the hole with weight - no more. Makes putting to normal holes feel a total skoosh and it has worked for them.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We have a couple of small diameter holes on our putting green - I've recommended practicing to these holes to a couple of folks who have struggled with their putting - but putting from no more than 18". You have to get weight and direction bang on to hole them; it's difficult to leave them short and I tell folk to try and hit the back of the hole with weight - no more. Makes putting to normal holes feel a total skoosh and it has worked for them.

I use one of these. Very difficult with the smaller ring in. However even with the bigger ring only, it makes holing out from 2-3 feet hard but take it out and the hole looks huge http://www.perfectmygolf.co.uk/putting/putting-alignment/no-3-putt.html