DO we think about Putting wrong.

[Ken_A]

For father’s day my 2 year old got me the book dream on by John Richardson - It’s a wonderful read so far. There is a lot of parts of the book I would love to talk about - some time, today I want to get the thoughts on putting

John tells us that the brain has 2 sides the RHS (creative side) and the LHS (methodical bit) - no huge surprise - he then mentions that people who use the ~RHS side have less putts than the folk who use the LHS.

Generally I dont think about it much I just fog my mind into not thinking about it and putt.
For my handicap I am generally a very good putter, If I think about the line and really think about the breaks and weight (I am an engineer, so its natural) then I normally mess it up by only getting half way there or misreading the line etc.

I certainly believe in the theory - but with so many fancy putters, putting aids etc perhaps we are taught wrong!! (by the way I hear the Veasy is great )


I remember watching the fantastic Lee Westwood in an interview and he mentioned the fact that he was and always has been a poor putter - this RHSvLHS argument would mean the likes of Lee would only be as good as he is - as you cant help people to become creative unless they are creative, yes a brain coach may help but if tiger is naturally more creative then he will be a better putter.

What's your thoughts?

 

[USER1999]

After reading this, I am thinking about thinking. This is not good. At least before I just had a think about it, but now I have to think about not thinking, this is going to get messy.

 

[JustOne]

In general I think people putt poorly because they don't spend enough time on the practice putting green.... and that's all there is to it.

One of the perks of getting old I think...and hour on the putting green or a beer...... hmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[Whereditgo]

After reading this, I am thinking about thinking. This is not good. At least before I just had a think about it, but now I have to think about not thinking, this is going to get messy.

ROFLMAO

 

[viscount17]

more from the Science of Golf,
just started the chapter on putting and the first memorable facts,

if the stroke is offline but the head is square on contact the effective error (ie the line the ball will take) is only 1/6 of the actual misalignment.

if the stroke is online but the head is not square on contact the effective error is 80% of the misalignment.

 

[USER1999]

I think I will have to take your word for it on that one.

Personally I think the answer to all golfing woes is Stella.

 

[AlexanderAdair]

My brain??? Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

As soon as i start thinking, my game falls apart... Funny considering i studied philosophy. hehe

 

[CrapHacker]

One of the perks of getting old I think...and hour on the putting green or a beer...... hmmmmmmmmmmmm

I scived off work an hour early..

Put in 30 minutes on the practise putting green,

then came home and poured myself a cold one.

Best of both worlds

 

[Farneyman]

For father’s day my 2 year old got me the book dream on by John Richardson - What's your thoughts?

Amazed your 2 year old could pick such a great book.

Have read a lot of his stuff and would recommend people checking it out. It was a pretty amazing feat he achieved.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have noticed a big difference to my scoring since I've been practicing my chipping, putting and bunker play more. As I can't drink I'd rather have the hour practicing

 

[AliB]

if the stroke is offline but the head is square on contact the effective error (ie the line the ball will take) is only 1/6 of the actual misalignment.

if the stroke is online but the head is not square on contact the effective error is 80% of the misalignment.

Does not understanding this make me more creative?
Living in hope.
AliB

 

[brendy]

Bob Rotella says study the putt as you walk onto the green, walk up, take stance look at hole once, look at your ball, glance back at the hole, return back to the ball and putt it. Don't mess about thinking about where it "might" bobble or hop. You react to it and the longer you stand and think about it the more you dull your senses and are increasingly likely to screw it up.
Saying that, since I went to a 2 ball Bill Oddie, my putting has come on in leaps and bounds, confidence on the green isnt my problem, its consistency with my second shots.

 

[CrapHacker]

I have noticed a big difference to my scoring since I've been practicing my chipping, putting and bunker play more. As I can't drink I'd rather have the hour practicing

As a great man once said

'' The more I practice, the more I realise just how bad I really am. ''

 

[John_Findlay]

If you have decent mechanics then putting will be easy if you stop thinking about it. That was my pro's tip last time I went for a putting lesson. It helped. Just stand up and putt like a kid. Instinct rather than conscious thought about pace, line etc. I was surprised how well that worked. Thinking about putts once you're over the ball simply doesn't work for me.

On the other hand, people who can chip well are clearly all masters of the black arts. In days gone by they would be hunted down by the Witchfinder General. As well as good technique they will have great imagination and feel. This is not right. Burn them, I say. They probably sacrifice their neighbour's household pets of an evening and have a "special" room in their house that no-one is allowed to see. I bet Christopher Lee chips like the devil himself.

 

[USER1999]

that'll be me then.

I have a black cat too.

 

[Jonny_Stevenson]

Dream On is a superb book. Best book on golf I've read in a long time but like Farneyman I'm a fan. It's an amazing insight into some of the golf nonsense that we all go through while trying to get better.

Rotella talks about something similar in his putting video with Brad Faxon - he uses an analogy where he tosses his keys to Faxon and they talk about how we have an instinctive feel for distance which we seem to lose when we have a putter in our hands.

You would never contemplate a practice swing to through a set of keys (or anything else) so why do we with a putter. I think it's a great concept but to be honest still feel the need to have a couple of little practices before I putt. I suppose it's conditioning as much as anything else.

Fascinating subject though.