Putting: how do you stroke it?

[krokodil]

I'll happily admit i'm not the best putter in the world, anything more than 30ft is a probable 3 putt for me. Anyway.....I was chatting to a guy who is a fabulous putter of the ball and we get talking about the pendulum action, which I was familiar with, but he noticed that I dont take my putter straight back and through with the face staying straight, i actually take it back slightly open but obviously turn my hands back through on impact....I tried to take it straight back and through and just couldnt do it, any opinions on this, am I the only guy who opens the face on the back stroke?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Try the Eyeliner putting trainer. Basically a mirror with lines to align your shouldrs square to the path and to see that your eyes are over the ball and a guiding rail that takes the putter back and through in a straight line.

However having looked at dave Pelz's putting bible on longer putts there has to be an element of coming inside the line to maintain the shoulder position and to alieviate any breakdown in the wrists.

 

[jeffc]

I also struggle with putting but as homer says especially on long putts it has to come inside to inside otherwise you would need to break your wrists or bend your elbows or move your hips.
There seems to be a constant debate as to wether you should be back and through straight or have an arc.

Have a look at the link below, I found it to be one of the best internet demos to help with putting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5TockpcqG8&feature=related

 

[krokodil]

Thanks guys!

Homer-where is this available?

Jeff-will have a look, cheers.

 

[Pinseeker]

Sorry guys but I feel I have to jump in here. You all seem to be tying yourself in knots with these tips about how you should putt! Just get on the practice green and get comfortable with getting the ball rolling. If you’re concentrating on all this mumbo jumbo you have no chance! Try and clear your heads and enjoy yourself. So many of us have already said when we go out there an play with this carefree attitude we shoot better scores! There’s your answer!

 

[Herbie]

I agree with pinseeker.
Ive just been out today in strong winds just to enjoy smacking a golf ball.Not a thought in my head about anything much and when I totted it all up at the end Id shot 77 and never needed more than 2 putts, very nearly birdies on several holes. People think far too hard about the game, do your thinking and learning on the range then stop thinking on the course so much.

 

[RGuk]

Back in the old days I was a fair putter. These days I'm a tad shaky.
I worked on 2 things,
1) straight back and through (unless it's a big 'un) and
2) not too far back and accelerate slightly on the up stroke and keep the face at the hole.

I practice on flag sticks, up against the skirting boards, down a channel of books (or whatever) on the lounge floor.

Find something (anything!) you are happy with and rolls the ball nicely and straight, then do lots of it!!!

 

[forefortheday]

I think i've got a similar problem to you Krokodil.

I am currently trying to get over the ball more.

I think I stand up too straight on putts have read and seen people who have the top of their spine almost parallel to the green?

I believe it will help me swing the putter more like a pendulum, at the moment I think the way I am standing means my arms have to open the face of the putter.

 

[RGuk]

It's an interesting thought f-f-t-d.

Most putters are coming out the factory WAY longer than they used to. It's all about "comfort" for the larger bellied folk of the golfing community.

I never saw Jack Nicklaus live, but on vidoes, it's clear he stood way over the ball. Paddy's putter is 1/2 short and a few degrees upright....perhaps more regular specs on putters might encourage a different posture?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The easyline is good for that. The mirrored surface makes sure your eyeline is directly over the ball and that the shoulders are parallel. From that position it is easy to make a nice action back and through down the line

 

[andiritchie]

i always thought that the putter should work inside to square to inside however the less angle of the shaft will give a strighter stroke,so a broomhandle will go back much straighter,the putting stroke will be straight back and through in relation to the angle of the putter shaft,then again i not a good putter

 

[viscount17]

I saw one of the pro's using a putting aid at the Belfry today (on the practice green I hasten to add!).

It was little more than a flat plate with four pegs forming a rectangular 'box' little wider than the head of the putter and about 8 - 10 inches long. There were also a few alignment marks on the plate. He set the ball in the centre of the box and just swung back and through both gates.

tbh, you don't need this. just use four tees and set up your own gates, you'll soon get in the habit of swinging straight back and through.

 

[jeffc]

on the video link I posted the guy talks about that problem and suggests that you make sure your arms and hands are hanging vertically from the shoulders to help you swing through straight, if you don't do it making gates with T pegs and other putting aids wont really solve the problem. I tried it and it helped me a lot.
I also liked his sytematic ideas to help judge distance because its always difficult to decide wether to have a short backstroke and accelerate through or longer backstroke and allow the momentum to come through etc etc infnitum

Anybody had a look at the link, I think it's pretty good myself seems to be talking sense and not gobbledegook for a change.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5TockpcqG8&feature=related

 

[USER1999]

If I ever start to think about my putting stroke, shoot me, as I will never hole anouth putt as long as I live.

 

[krokodil]

I think i've got a similar problem to you Krokodil.

I am currently trying to get over the ball more.

I think I stand up too straight on putts have read and seen people who have the top of their spine almost parallel to the green?

I believe it will help me swing the putter more like a pendulum, at the moment I think the way I am standing means my arms have to open the face of the putter.

I have a 33" putter as I figured I wanted to keep my arms as straight as possible. I believe my problem is to use a standard stance, i.e left shoulder higher than the right, which I think induces the in-square-in swing shape.

 

[minty18]

It's all in the hips, just tap it in!

 

[TonyN]

At the moment my putting is so woeful, i dont even know how to set up.

I am definitly getting a lesson when I get back from Greece
(hello from Greece by the way guys!)

 

[haplesshacker]

Anyone putt like Phil Michelson?

I tried it and found that it works quite well for me. Much easier to judge pace. The problem is that I often forget to putt that way and revert to traditional putting stroke accidently. I really must try to concentrate more.

 

[viscount17]

this is the putting aid, it has three, not two, pairs of gates.

 

[krokodil]

Thanks Viscount!