Increasingly frustrated putter

[pokerjoke]

Over the last few games from tee to green I have actually been playing well and my driving has been much better however my putting has stopped me scoring well enough to get a cut although a very good round is just over the horizon.

Since my putting has not been good enough and short putts for a long time now I have started looking at purchasing a new putter.

When in the pro shop on Sunday I picked up a Ping Cadence putter that was much longer and it seemed to be a putter that you anchor to your wrist,i tried it briefly and it felt quite good,has anyone got a putter that they anchor like Matt Kuchar and whats it like.

Today I was putting in the mirror and saw that my hips were moving quite significantly so I went to the club to practice my putting.

If you can imagine I was trying to lock my legs into position especially the right one whilst also trying to hold the putter much lighter than I usually do probably about a 6 instead of an 8 or 9.

Using my 34 inch putter using the above and it all felt much more stable and the results were encouraging,so now a bit of a dilemma but I feel a change coming on.

I am getting quite despondent playing well but putting so badly at times.

 

[Ross61]

When I think my hips are moving I take a wider stance for more stability.

 

[pendodave]

while it may be a technical issue, I'm always a bit wary about reading too much into any short game issues at this time of the year. Greens are slow, bobbly and generally rubbish. You could hit the same putt 10 times and each might end up in a different place. Wait until April before beating yourself out and opening the chequebook.

 

[Wildrover]

If you put the putter up your forearm Kuchar style, you will need to add quite a bit of loft as you are in effect creating a big forward press. Standard on a Ping putter is 3 degs but you will need more like 8 to 10 degs.

 

[Region3]

I'm terrible for not staying still when putting, and I've found a few practice strokes looking at my stomach and focussing on that not moving helps.

 

[USER1999]

You could always try looking at the hole. You have no idea what moves then, so it doesnt put you off.

 

[ruff-driver]

I'm terrible for not staying still when putting, and I've found a few practice strokes looking at my stomach and focussing on that not moving helps.

My stomach blocks the view of the ball,any tips ?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I always focus on a single dimple on the ball as I take the stroke and keep looking down at that spot until I see grass. Stops me moving my head or lifting the left shoulder with an early peek at the hole

 

[Parsaregood]

Over the last few games from tee to green I have actually been playing well and my driving has been much better however my putting has stopped me scoring well enough to get a cut although a very good round is just over the horizon.

Since my putting has not been good enough and short putts for a long time now I have started looking at purchasing a new putter.

When in the pro shop on Sunday I picked up a Ping Cadence putter that was much longer and it seemed to be a putter that you anchor to your wrist,i tried it briefly and it felt quite good,has anyone got a putter that they anchor like Matt Kuchar and whats it like.

Today I was putting in the mirror and saw that my hips were moving quite significantly so I went to the club to practice my putting.

If you can imagine I was trying to lock my legs into position especially the right one whilst also trying to hold the putter much lighter than I usually do probably about a 6 instead of an 8 or 9.

Using my 34 inch putter using the above and it all felt much more stable and the results were encouraging,so now a bit of a dilemma but I feel a change coming on.

I am getting quite despondent playing well but putting so badly at times.

If you're thinking about grip pressure on your putter on a scale 1-10 you really shouldn't be any more than a 3. Sam Snead had a good one, feel like you're holding a small bird in youre hands, you don't want to hurt it but you don't want it to fly away either. Lighter grip pressure helps with the flow of you're stroke and if you play around with it you will have much better feel.

Having said that I wouldn't necessarily be looking at a new putter. You're problems sound technical if you have lower body movement on you're putting stroke, that is a definite no no. Rock the shoulders everything else should be still as can be. Go and see a pro with SAM putt lab get them to sort you out with drills that will be of benefit to you. Very hard to take advice over a forum. Just my 2cents.

 

[SaintHacker]

I recently changed to a 38" putter Tony. I tried one in the shop and it just felt right, if that makes sense, probably as I'm well over 6 foot. Bought a second hand one of a forum member in case it didn't work. Took it out for a couple of practice rounds and as you can imagine it took a bit of getting used to, but I put it in the bag this Sunday and it was superb. Only one three putt for the whole round, and won the match on thelast by holing a 25 footer. Currently praying its not just new club syndrome!

 

[pokerjoke]

If you're thinking about grip pressure on your putter on a scale 1-10 you really shouldn't be any more than a 3. Sam Snead had a good one, feel like you're holding a small bird in youre hands, you don't want to hurt it but you don't want it to fly away either. Lighter grip pressure helps with the flow of you're stroke and if you play around with it you will have much better feel.

Having said that I wouldn't necessarily be looking at a new putter. You're problems sound technical if you have lower body movement on you're putting stroke, that is a definite no no. Rock the shoulders everything else should be still as can be. Go and see a pro with SAM putt lab get them to sort you out with drills that will be of benefit to you. Very hard to take advice over a forum. Just my 2cents.

No mate I appreciate your thoughts.

I don't think I could ever do a 3 though a 6 is a big improvement for me.

 

[pokerjoke]

I recently changed to a 38" putter Tony. I tried one in the shop and it just felt right, if that makes sense, probably as I'm well over 6 foot. Bought a second hand one of a forum member in case it didn't work. Took it out for a couple of practice rounds and as you can imagine it took a bit of getting used to, but I put it in the bag this Sunday and it was superb. Only one three putt for the whole round, and won the match on thelast by holing a 25 footer. Currently praying its not just new club syndrome!

Do you anchor it to your forearm mate or is a 38 good because your so tall.

I really expected someone to be anchoring.

I think I will hopefully get the pro to tape it up and let me have a round with it or at least half an hour on the putting green.

I really do want to become a better putter my poor putting has gone on way too long.

 

[SaintHacker]

Do you anchor it to your forearm mate or is a 38 good because your so tall.
.

No anchoring, just my normal grip. I've also found it helps to come down the grip a bit for short putts

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Tony, have a look at one of these.

http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/sh...Aid&highlight=Navigator&p=1452754#post1452754

 

[ger147]

Do you anchor it to your forearm mate or is a 38 good because your so tall.

I really expected someone to be anchoring.

I think I will hopefully get the pro to tape it up and let me have a round with it or at least half an hour on the putting green.

I really do want to become a better putter my poor putting has gone on way too long.

They're not for everyone but have you thought about a putting lesson?

Especially with the SAM putting lab, it could be very interesting and might help...

 

[chrisd]

I agree with the SAM lesson, it'll certainly highlight whats going wrong in the setup and swing. When i did Aimpoint, (and i dont want to turn this into an Aimpoint discussion) Jamie Donaldson said my tempo was great, my distance control was very good but that i had more moving parts in my putts than Ben Hogan did with his irons! As soon as i stopped moving everything I certainly started to hole more putts. It is vital to be rock solid Tony!

 

[bobmac]

If your lower half is moving you'll never putt well.

Try this drill, you could use a chair/desk/wall etc
Keep the pressure the same on both 'cheeks' against the chair throughout the stroke. You'll soon feel if your hips move


[video=youtube;vsTLHVK9DqY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsTLHVK9DqY&index=15&list=PL7Uf2W3sfvqYBJ3 OUldKvQT7ZWYEmPOyW[/video]

 

[Khamelion]

Before I got my new putter, I bought an extra long counter balanced grip for my Odyssey, it felt a lot better, a little less wavey on the take away and follow through. So rather than looking at a whole new putter try a new grip. Mine was fitted to my 34inch putter.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

If your lower half is moving you'll never putt well.

Try this drill, you could use a chair/desk/wall etc
Keep the pressure the same on both 'cheeks' against the chair throughout the stroke. You'll soon feel if your hips move


[video=youtube;vsTLHVK9DqY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsTLHVK9DqY&index=15&list=PL7Uf2W3sfvqYBJ3 OUldKvQT7ZWYEmPOyW[/video]

I remember when I played a pro am a couple years and the Pro said my hips move every time I putt - he tried a few drills with me and he found in the end I putter worse when I keep my hips still ! I guess everyone is different but moving hips doesn't seem to affect me and seems to help me putt ?

 

[pokerjoke]

They're not for everyone but have you thought about a putting lesson?

Especially with the SAM putting lab, it could be very interesting and might help...

I agree with the SAM lesson, it'll certainly highlight whats going wrong in the setup and swing. When i did Aimpoint, (and i dont want to turn this into an Aimpoint discussion) Jamie Donaldson said my tempo was great, my distance control was very good but that i had more moving parts in my putts than Ben Hogan did with his irons! As soon as i stopped moving everything I certainly started to hole more putts. It is vital to be rock solid Tony!

Maybe in the distant future this could be an option but for the moment I will try harder to keep everything still and of course it will take time.

A new putter is an option but I have just purchased a new driver so now that's also on hold.

The putter I use now I did actually get fitted for it so I will persevere and really work on my technique obviously if it continues then I can look again.

I am still quite surprised no one anchors though