Putting Lesson

Sneds

Sneds

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Due to my present immobility I have been considering getting a putting lesson and practicing that area of my game until I am able to start swinging again. Oo-er.

A friend of mine who plays to a good standard is completely against a putting lesson, citing that a good putting stroke is a very individual thing and it is whatever works for you.

Of course, my problem is that nothing works for me ;)

But seriously, do you think I should have a lesson and just nail down the basics of putting? I almost see putting like the swing, where I want to get my posture, grip and stance right so I can have a decent chance of becoming a good putter.

One other thing, teachers who focus purely on putting seem to be quite sporadic. I know I could get a lesson off a pro, but I was considering seeing somebody who is a putting freak, rather than a pro who might do a putting lesson 6 times a year. The grove offer an hours lesson for £80 and that is certainly an option, is anybody aware of any other specialists?

Thoughts appreciated x
 
I believe in building a relationship with someone who understands what you are trying to achieve throughout your game.

For me that wouldn't be a weird and wonderful specialist who I'd only see as a one off.

It'd be the guy that I see every time I go up to my club, so he'd have an interest in my development as a person.

The fact that he'd also have a regular critic walking through the door means he'd have every incentive to help you get as good as you possibly can.

So for me, I'd avoid the overexpensive putting freak dudes. Talk to your own pro and explain what you are trying to achieve, and he'll help you get there.

As far as your mate's opinion, I'd say that's fine if you have a repeating stroke that gets the ball where you want it to be. But if your putting is less than perfect, I'd be more than happy to get some outside advice. And if your stroke was perfect for you, you wouldn't even be asking the question, so forget about him.

But again, I'd steer clear of one off visits. Either do it with someone who you can have a chat to on those days when it all feels wrong, or don't bother.

The most important thing in building a relationship with any pro is to be able to tell them what you want, not just to expect them to know. Otherwise they'll give you a generic lesson, rather than one that is specifically aimed at your needs.

IMO I'd avoid the £80 lesson like the plague. They aren't going to have time to get to know you and your quirks, so you'll be even more likely to get the generic option.

That's my tuppence, anyway.
 
Have you read Dave Peltz Putting Bible ? If not I'd suggest that that is a good place to start. Read and try some of the drills in there. If you read it with an open mind it can offer an insight into putting that you may not have had before.

I still have a browse through it most years at some stage or other and it has certainly made a hughe differenc to my putting sine reading it.

As for the lessons, I'd go along with CH on this one. don't go for a one off fix. Go to your club pro, he'll help you along and get you on the righttrack with basics etc. Its then up to you where you take it from there. Putting is one area where we can all improve very easily. Saving 1-2 shots a round can make a big difference.
 
I had a lesson last year and it has transformed my putting. My set up was poor and so made it hard to be consistant. My grip also meant my hands were fighting to keep the blade square. I agree that it is a unique part of the game and no two strokes are the same but whatever method you use there has to be a way of getting the blade square at impact. I can't see any harm in getting a lesson either with your club pro or another good teaching pro locally
 
3 simple things m8. a good putting stroke is all in the shoulders, 4get hands etc. no lower body movement, and keep the head down 2 secs after you hit the ball. these are the 3 main things you would be taught. it doesnt matter where you go. first practice these yourself, then move onto drills, dont over do it or you get bored with putting.....try these 4 a few wks,and if no improvement,then go for a lesson.
 
I'd recommend a lesson. I had one yesterday morning.

Previously I thought my set up, posture and stroke were all OK and that my downfall was mental - apparently not.
My grip's OK - bonus.
My posture's OK as well.
My stroke's rubbish!!! I putt like I'm hitting a Driver - i.e, I turn my wrists, therefore, the face has no chance of being square at impact.
I'd never have known this without a lesson.
 
I understand what your friend is saying, but if you're fundamentals are wrong, you wll never be a good putter.

Most people can look at a putt and know if it's left to right, uphill or whatever.
If you cant stroke the ball where you want it to go and cant control the distance it will go, I'm afraid you are not going to putt well.


A few good fundamentals in putting.

Lower body movement..nill. Dont let your hips turn.
Be comfortable at address.
Wrists nice and firm with no flicking happening.
The stroke feels like a smooth gentle acceleration being generated by the shoulders.
The disance the ball travels is goverened by the length of swing....not how hard you hit it.

My 2ps worth
 
To me the most important thing about putting is to remember all you are trying to do is hit a ball in a straight line along the ground, all the borrow and break is looked afer by the green. You see so many people lift their shoulders and there heads trying to get the ball to take a borrow or to move one way or the other.
I think when you see footage of Jack Nicklaus's putting stroke you see this really well the ball can only go in a straight line of his putter.
 
Interesting views on here.

The main problem is my relationship with a pro is that the pro I used to see with regards to my swing is on a driving range, with no putting facilities.

Personally, I'm not all that confident about the pro at the club that I have just left. I don't know - the guy just doesn't inspire confidence in me. I wouldn't want a lesson with him.

There is a club that I intend to join once I have recovered from my op, but would I be able to go over there and book a lesson through the pro and use the facilities before I had membership? x
 
I would recomend the pro also looks at the fit of your putter. My pro recently took an inch of the length of mine, made it more upright and regripped it. Each time I line up to putt I feel much more comfortable and confident, maybe make that the first thing for him to look at ?
 
I would recomend the pro also looks at the fit of your putter. My pro recently took an inch of the length of mine, made it more upright and regripped it. Each time I line up to putt I feel much more comfortable and confident, maybe make that the first thing for him to look at ?
Click to expand...

i.l.t.b.a.w.t.r.o.t.l.p. :)

I was the most anti-putting lesson person ever, until I went for one....

Anyone who says no to a putting lesson (and "fit" in my case) has their head buried firmly in the sand of self denial.
Do you need to go to an expensive specialist? probably not
Do you need to see someone who understands you and your game? probably not.
A one-off lesson is just that....
If your posture is wonky, your grip decidedly dodgy and your stroke a piece of self-created tat....GO AND SEE A PRO.

There....my colours are attached to the mast.
 
I would recomend the pro also looks at the fit of your putter. My pro recently took an inch of the length of mine, made it more upright and regripped it. Each time I line up to putt I feel much more comfortable and confident, maybe make that the first thing for him to look at ?
Click to expand...

i.l.t.b.a.w.t.r.o.t.l.p. :)

I was the most anti-putting lesson person ever, until I went for one....

Anyone who says no to a putting lesson (and "fit" in my case) has their head buried firmly in the sand of self denial.
Do you need to go to an expensive specialist? probably not
Do you need to see someone who understands you and your game? probably not.
A one-off lesson is just that....
If your posture is wonky, your grip decidedly dodgy and your stroke a piece of self-created tat....GO AND SEE A PRO.

There....my colours are attached to the mast.
Click to expand...

I have no idea what "i.l.t.b.a.w.t.r.o.t.l.p" means but I agree with the rest. :eek:
 
I'll be having a putting lesson at some point this year, I reckon I lose 10+ shots a round on the green due to bad putting.

Do they focus on the physical act of putting only or do they give tips on reading the green as well?

I think half my problem is looking at the green and not knowing which way it is going to go!!
 
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