Putt reading drills.

[pinberry]

Sam, still confused by this ......surely if you put down a spirit level on your intended line, then moved it forward a few feet you will get a different reading and what about pace - wouldn't a slope closer to the hole have a greater impact than one a few feet in front of your? Earlier someone suggested multiple "readings" but I don't see people doing that much.

The talk about measuring like this intrigues me, but am struggling to understand how it can be converted into an almost mechanically sounding exercise despite the multiple variables involved.

Steve, the objective or Aimpoint (or any putt reading technique) is not to get a 100% accurate reading. This is impossible - unless you have a tour level green map. The objective here is to get a good enough reading by feeling the slope with your feet - or by using your eyes or whatever.

Yes, slopes are different all the time, but does that matter? Not much. If a slope changes from 2.2% to 1.9% and then back to 2.5% in the space of 5 feet, the impacts are negligible. Assuming it's a 2% it's good enough and will get the ball into the hole. You might even read it as a 3% slope and still get it into the hole. You get the idea.

Moreover, on longer putts, then getting the read spot on becomes a futile exercise. I mean, there are so many variables. A spike mark here, a pitch mark there, too much speed, face 0.5 degrees open.

As you can see, the AimPoint method is all about getting a good enough approximation that maximizes the chances of reading the putt correctly. Instead of using your eyes you use your feet. And by the way, contrary to popular belief, it might actually result in faster play. Instead of looking at the line from behind, sideways etc you just get one / two reads which take very little and you're ready to putt.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

From behind the ball I look straight down the line to the hole.

I then try and work out the break and 'see' the line and then the ball running along it.

I identify some aimpoint on my imagined track between ball and hole.

Once I have that I rock to the left or to the right depending upon my initial assessment and look straight down the line from ball to the aimpoint and imagine the ball tracking along it to the hole. Rock2L for a Right2L break, Rock2R for a L2R break - looking at my aimpoint to see if that slight change of perspective makes a difference. If it seems to I actually move myself to the side I spotted the difference and check and reassess.

 

[turkish]

I had all those doubts too but when I did the course it all became perfectly clear. It's not so mechanical and I think for me that's doing the feeling with the feet, and what I learned in the speed control course, has given me a more solid putting routine and as a result more putts now drop. If I make 2 more putts a round and save one shot on driving and iron play I'm then a single figure golfer, so it's worth doing for me.

There was no one on my course who failed to get the basics of the method within a very short time and we did cover double breaking putts and 30 to 40 foot putts too but the system needs to come into play most from about 6 foot as even the top pro's only make about 50% of putts from 10 foot, so most of the longer distances are for lagging purpose

Hi Chris,when did you start aimpoint and in terms of putts per round what have the improvements been?

im very interested in it after my 6 course putting lesson on SAM puttlab

 

[chrisd]

And by the way, contrary to popular belief, it might actually result in faster play. Instead of looking at the line from behind, sideways etc you just get one / two reads which take very little and you're ready to putt.

I agree, I'm sure I don't take any longer than before and I usually do my first read from behind the ball when I mark it. The point of Aimpoint also is that you ONLY read the slope with your feet and don't take into account misleading views from various angles.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

My putt reading drill starts as I approach the green, and put my trolley to the side of the green nearest the next tee. All the time I am looking at the green judging the lie. I don't use anything other than my eyes. I also play for 2 putts, which usually means more single putts than 3 putts.

 

[chrisd]

Hi Chris,when did you start aimpoint and in terms of putts per round what have the improvements been?

im very interested in it after my 6 course putting lesson on SAM puttlab

I did the Aimpoint course in September and had previously done two SAM sessions. I don't keep stats at all but I absolutely know that I am a better putter as a result of the system and the pre putt routine being much more stable. I also got told by Jamie Donaldson that had too much movement going on in my putting that was affecting my strike and putting line. - Sam didn't highlight this, I believe because its done indoors on a fast mat, and only from about 10 feet, whereas the Aimpoint Speed Control was from 10, 20 and 30 feet and showed up the problem.

The Aimpoint is quite different from SAM though as SAM is really only about the putter being right for you and applied to the ball correctly, where Aimpoint is mostly about picking the line of the putt to maximise the chance of going in

 

[turkish]

I did the Aimpoint course in September and had previously done two SAM sessions. I don't keep stats at all but I absolutely know that I am a better putter as a result of the system and the pre putt routine being much more stable. I also got told by Jamie Donaldson that had too much movement going on in my putting that was affecting my strike and putting line. - Sam didn't highlight this, I believe because its done indoors on a fast mat, and only from about 10 feet, whereas the Aimpoint Speed Control was from 10, 20 and 30 feet and showed up the problem.

The Aimpoint is quite different from SAM though as SAM is really only about the putter being right for you and applied to the ball correctly, where Aimpoint is mostly about picking the line of the putt to maximise the chance of going in

Thanks yeah that makes a lot of sense. right now my 6 package course is more than just SAM it's generally to get my technique improved and nailed down-it's showing up that my tempo was poor which was leading to poor distance control. I’m using my welling puttmatt and swinpro to work on that and getting nearer and nearer to the 2:1 tempo and putting to between 6-24 inches by the hole. Definitely feel that I am improving on this aspect but like you say the problem is going to be in the longer putts and the ones with more break so once I am more confident in my ability aimpoint will probably be my natural progression. The only problem with practicing the lag putts just now is the greens are so slow just now at my track and i’m not sure I’d get full benefit.

 

[chrisd]

Thanks yeah that makes a lot of sense. right now my 6 package course is more than just SAM it's generally to get my technique improved and nailed down-it's showing up that my tempo was poor which was leading to poor distance control. I’m using my welling puttmatt and swinpro to work on that and getting nearer and nearer to the 2:1 tempo and putting to between 6-24 inches by the hole. Definitely feel that I am improving on this aspect but like you say the problem is going to be in the longer putts and the ones with more break so once I am more confident in my ability aimpoint will probably be my natural progression. The only problem with practicing the lag putts just now is the greens are so slow just now at my track and i’m not sure I’d get full benefit.

During the Speed Control lesson, tempo was the main issue, Jamie put a tempo and line reading device on the top of each players putter and continued putting 10, 20 and 30 feet until everyone's tempo was correct. Their system was based on a set distance of back swing and the consistent tempo to putt those distances on a flat surface.

 

[SteveJay]

Over 20ft you take 3 reads and use the highest % break.

In terms of pace, the hole is 'largest' on a putt going 12" past.

I live in swindon, so only 10mins from you, would happily meet up and show you it one day. It will open your eyes - especially with regards to under borrowing

Cheers Sam, and the other guys who have replied, starting to make sense. Thanks too for the kind offer......we exchanged posts before - I am also in NH (Audit). May well take you up on that sometime

 

[MendieGK]

Cheers Sam, and the other guys who have replied, starting to make sense. Thanks too for the kind offer......we exchanged posts before - I am also in NH (Audit). May well take you up on that sometime

I quite regularly go to Broome at lunch, if you can take 60mins out of making everyone's lives tougher at work I could show you then? 😂😂

 

[3565]

Thanks yeah that makes a lot of sense. right now my 6 package course is more than just SAM it's generally to get my technique improved and nailed down-it's showing up that my tempo was poor which was leading to poor distance control. I’m using my welling puttmatt and swinpro to work on that and getting nearer and nearer to the 2:1 tempo and putting to between 6-24 inches by the hole. Definitely feel that I am improving on this aspect but like you say the problem is going to be in the longer putts and the ones with more break so once I am more confident in my ability aimpoint will probably be my natural progression. The only problem with practicing the lag putts just now is the greens are so slow just now at my track and i’m not sure I’d get full benefit.

doesn't make any difference if greens are 8 or 12 on stimp Aimpoint allows for differing speeds on different days.

 

[SteveJay]

I quite regularly go to Broome at lunch, if you can take 60mins out of making everyone's lives tougher at work I could show you then? 

Sure......have a busy week this week but maybe next week sometime? Will ping you an e-mail at work!