Putter Itch

[Slab]

My putting as been pretty steady recently but the one aspect I'm struggling with is getting the weight right on putts in the 40-60 ft range

Too often I'll be short by 8-10 feet which of course risks a three putt

My taylormade blade does require more oomph on long putts than the one I used to use but I've had it in the bag for some months so would of expected to adapted to it by now

The 'itch' in the title is me thinking of putting the old one back in the bag believing it'll cure me of leaving putts short but hopefully wont rob me of the benefits I've gained inside 10ft with the TM

Do I tinker or do I practice & persevere?

Given the variables green to green are there practice drills for 50ft putts?

 

[Alex1975]

Hard to get a 40 or 60 foot putt dead... but surly you don't have many putts at that range? Got lots of really big greens?

 

[Slab]

Hard to get a 40 or 60 foot putt dead... but surly you don't have many putts at that range? Got lots of really big greens?

We're talking less than 15 paces so it can come up 2-3 times a round, most of the greens are easily over this size (& if the flags to one side I'll wager my ball will be on t'other side )

 

[Alex1975]

hehe...

I am aware that people do swap putters in the winter for this reason. Something a little heavier for the slower greens.

 

[Slab]

hehe...

I am aware that people do swap putters in the winter for this reason. Something a little heavier for the slower greens.

Yeah the old putter is definitely heavier (& an inch longer) but the greens are double digit on stimp and the delicate touch needed when facing the make-able 4-8ft putts with the heavier putter was one of the reasons for getting the TM in the first place

I really don't want to carry two putters :fore:

 

[Foxholer]

Practice, practice, practice!

And accept the occasional 3-putt when you start in '3 putt country'!

 

[One Planer]

Practice, practice, practice!

And accept the occasional 3-putt when you start in '3 putt country'!

Beat me to it :thup:

 

[Slab]

Practice, practice, practice!

And accept the occasional 3-putt when you start in '3 putt country'!

OK so if I understand you correctly you're saying put a fatso grip on the heavy putter and stick it in the bag!

 

[ruff-driver]

A drill to try;

Putt toward the fringe (don't worry about putting at a hole, just focus on speed and feel). Try to get each ball to roll about one foot onto the fringe without leaving any short and without running any beyond the fringe into the rough.

 

[Baldy Bouncer]

Hard to get a 40 or 60 foot putt dead... but surly you don't have many putts at that range? Got lots of really big greens?

Ok, so he`s having trouble with 3 putting some greens.........but name calling just isn`t on, surely?
I`ll get me coat.

 

[the_coach]

My putting as been pretty steady recently but the one aspect I'm struggling with is getting the weight right on putts in the 40-60 ft range

Too often I'll be short by 8-10 feet which of course risks a three putt

Given the variables green to green are there practice drills for 50ft putts?

useful drill for longer distances. with 6 balls set up a ladder drill. behind the hole around say 2' 6" place an alignment stick at 90º to the line of the putts. at 25',35' & 45' feet place 2 balls.
ideal goal to end up with 6 balls that reach the hole but don't go over or past the stick from the 3 distances. as most 3 putts from distance happen because of pace, putt is either too short or too long, more so than line right or left.

start at 25' have bunch of practice strokes while you're still looking at the hole.
then set up to 1st ball, look to the hole & while looking at the hole make the stroke.

then with second ball make a bunch of practice strokes while looking at the hole, then step up to make stroke but this time looking at the ball, but just look at hole once then eyes back to ball make the stroke. repeat for other distances up 'the ladder'.

'quiet eye research' with any putts shows best outcomes happen if the time from the eyes return to the ball from last look at the hole to the stroke is not to be overlong, brain reacts better to gauge distances.

you can do above drill & make it a bunch more about touch & feel, by looking at the hole while making the 1st stroke with ball, but then making the 2nd ball stroke with the eyes shut.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Practice. Nothing else really makes a difference although leaving such long putts several times a round does suggest there is an issue with club selection or distance control assuming a decent strike

 

[Oddsocks]

To the op, I used to find the same with a blade putter ( vp1 milled ) but after some practice noticed my hands were slightly behind the ball at set up, as I looked down I could effectively see the putter face. Addressing that issue especially on long putts ensured a stronger roll without having to piss about with putters and tinkering.

Next time your on a long putt just try pushing your hands forward 1/2 - 1" and try that

 

[Slab]

Just returning to this after the weekend, appreciate the additional replies & tips guys

I think part of the trick is to get the right kind of practice i.e 50ft carpet not much good as I can generally repeat the length pretty consistently whereas putting 50ft with the nap of a green then against is probably where I'm leaving it too short on some occasions and that's without adding in any slope factor

think in addition to practice & your suggested drills i'll also have to discipline myself to establish grain direction prior to putting

Thanks again