Lining up your putt.

[Golfmmad]

Sorry if this has been discussed before.

How long do you take? I'm not one to look from all sides as I find it too confusing. Preferring to, as I walk up to green looking at the slopes and burrows and where best to leave the ball for the easiest putt - uphill lie. Then, stand behind ball looking down the line, one or two practice strokes and then fire away.

How long would a round take if we took as long as the pro's!
I once watched a 4 handicapper at my course lining up a 6ft putt. He stood behind ball, knelt down and looked at line, walked round to front, knelt down and looked at line, then did the same left and right! I was thinking is he ever going to take this putt! When he did eventually take it he missed the bloody thing. OK I know his putting stats will probably be much better than mine, but what a drag it would be if we all took as long.


What d'ya think guys?

Golfmmad.

 

[Putting_Green_Pro]

Depends how important the putts are. For the pro's pretty much every shot missed puts them further away from the money so take ages on making sure they have as few as putts as possible.
where as i would normally looking at the slope close my eyes and hope for the best :\

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I tend to look at the green as I'm walking up and from the side if I'm putting my bag there for the next hole. Once on the green I usually look from behind and if I'm really not sure I might go to the other side of the hole and look. I have a pretty good idea of the breaks on most of our greens anyway.

 

[Golfmmad]

For the pro's pretty much every shot missed puts them further away from the money so take ages on making sure they have as few as putts as possible.

Of course, I wasn't suggesting the pro's take too long

Putt for dough and all that

Golfmmad.

 

[EaseNgrace]

I just kneel down and have a look for 5 seconds, address the ball and take a practice stroke, then take my putt. 30 seconds in total I guess. The most important thing is thhat it's repeated consistently.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The most important thing is thhat it's repeated consistently.

The only thing in my putting I repeat is the missing of the hole

 

[TonyN]

I try to do all my prep when my oppo's/partners are playing. I steal a quick look from behind and choose a line. When its my turn I line the ball up and take another quick peep from behind to make sure its lined up. Quick practice stroke for pace and go. Prob about 30 seconds maybe, start to finish.

 

[Screwback]

I recently listened to bob rotellas book and he said unless it is a particularly undulating putt just have a wee look at it pick your target think about it and hit it. its been working for me (sort of ).

 

[kid2]

Same as screwback.
I walk up have a quick squat pick my target which is usually something off the green in line with the line i want the ball to take...Have 2 practice swimgs and pull the trigger unless im outside 8ft ill try putt it...If im outside this distance ill nearly always aim to finish 12-18 inch's from the hole hoping to 2 putt..... Doesnt always work that way though

 

[Sneds]

Once my caddy has told me where to hit the putt, I'm usually fairly quick x

 

[Golfmmad]

Once my caddy has told me where to hit the putt, I'm usually fairly quick x

Very clever Sneds

Golfmmad.

 

[painterboy]

I recently listened to bob rotellas book and he said unless it is a particularly undulating putt just have a wee look at it pick your target think about it and hit it. its been working for me (sort of ).

Screwback says,

'pick your target think about it and hit it'

According to Rotellas book, Putting out of your Mind., not thinking about it is the way to do it.
It works for me (sort of )

 

[JustOne]

Once my caddy has told me where to hit the putt, AND LINED YOU UP I'm usually fairly quick

Spot the edit...

I did say to my mate once that I'm entitled to take as much time over my 4 shots as he did over his 6

 

[Robobum]

I only look from behind the ball at my line if at all possible. The only time I go behind the hole and look back to the ball is if there is a bank behind my ball or a bunker which stops me from getting down to see the line from that side.

Do most of the sizing up whilst cleaning my ball or waiting for others to putt. When my turn comes I squat down for another quick read, place the ball with the 'line em up' facing where I want the ball to start, pick up the marker and shuffle back a couple of steps to check it is pointing in the right direction. Move in and take my stance and have one look at the hole, line the putter up behind the ball and take another quick look at the hole, look back at the ball and then pull the tits off it and miss two cups left!!

Ditched the practice stroke last year and had really good results after doing it. Didn't like the thought of trying to hole a putt by putting a good stroke on it if I've just watched a practice stroke wave about all over the place.

 

[jammydodger]

I did say to my mate once that I'm entitled to take as much time over my 4 shots as he did over his 6

Great quote , got me chuckling this morning

I tend to have a look from the hole side while others are sorting themselves out , then up to my ball one practice stroke (usually) and pull the trigger , then I just tap it in to finish off

 

[bigbiffa]

i look from behind before the others take their putt, then another quick confirmation look, find the apex,aim my ball there, then hit it!

 

[EaseNgrace]

Wait a minute, whats putting? I have hardly taken my putter out of the bag since November because I usually dont bother putting on temps.

 

[freddielong]

As long as it takes to be happy with the line 90% of the time I can do that from behind but sometimes I will have a look from the other side, there is no point hitting a putt if you dont know where you are hitting it.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Normally, briefly from behind the ball. When my playing partners are putting I spend a little longer behind the ball &/or try to get a look from behind there putt if it'll help (obviously observing the rules of not standing behind them as they play the shot).

If it is really tricky for me to read (I'm generally not too good at reading putts) I'll go up to the hole to see exactly where the ground slopes into the hole. This gives me a better idea then from a distance.

 

[Tiger]

It depends on length of putt. I get my first impression from behind the ball but if it's particularly long (or tricky) I'll have a look from the sides or behind to verify my thinking. I always putt to make it as I feel confident with any putt within six feet. So far this approach has held me in good stead.