Putting - Starting from Scratch

[Vardon11LDN]

I have decided to finally address a major problem with my game, my putting. It is by far the worst part (4-6 three putts a round on average) and I know it costs me so many shots as i have a very inconsistant stroke (i.e throw the putter head at the ball and hope it goes in). Like most high cappers I spend too much time hitting drivers down the range and not enough practicing my putting but I have decided to change that and commit to two hours putting practice a week. I am looking to improve in time for the new season. Here is where I am so far; New putter (fitted at a SAMS lab) - Check, Ken Brown One Putt book - Check, Quality indoor putting mat - Check. I would be keen to hear peoples views on how they would approach this and any advice would be great.

 

[dan2844]

What did my putting the world of good was changing my grip. I now do 6 fingers interlocked, index fingers pointing down the shaft to the head and thumbs on top. Kept my stroke a lot steadier as I already felt competent with reading greens but just had an inconsistent strike

Edit: and a heavier Putter too

 

[IanG]

Predictable answer but it helped me - a putting lesson from your local pro. Then you'll know what you should be focussing on in your practice.

 

[ger147]

I see you have an quality indoor putting mat on your list above, so I would practice every day. Doesn't have to be loads of time/balls but 10-15mins once or twice day every day should help you groove a new and improved putting stroke.

 

[jasondransfieldgolf]

As IanG says a lesson from your local pro would be ideal. If you have got a putting mat I would also recommend a laser which will act as a string line as well a good base for checking alignment and a putting mirror. Good fundamentals are the key to producing consistent shots for all facets of the game. Try my indoor putting drill too, great for winter practice: https://jasondransfieldgolf.wordpress.com/coaching/coaching-tips/indoor-putting/

 

[Spear-Chucker]

Putting is a very personal thing (and this should be encouraged) although some orthodox basics do help. These points may be helpful or not to play around with but are fun to try either way:

- Keep your head still and over the ball
- Swing with the shoulders keeping arms and wrists fixed
- Neutral grip (place your palms either side of the grip so they are facing each other and then wrap your fingers round it
- Keep the backswing shortish and follow the putter head to the target
- Before playing, practice working on putting to a specific distance not necessarily to the hole - edge of the green in a flat area works well. The best way to get comfortable with the speed.
- Don't dither over a putt; get comfortable by all means but just hit it to the hole without over thinking the process

Putting is a great leveller in the game and a chance for all players to compete on an even level. Above all else it should be enjoyed - I know too many folks who worry about it and that stress feeds right into the stroke. Bob Rotella's putting book is a good read as well and I've probably stolen ideas unashamedly from it.

 

[garyinderry]

Only two things you need to do.

1. Learn to hot the ball straight on your putting matt. Hole putt and after putt on you 6-10foot matt.

Now that you can constantly start the ball straight ...

2. Learn distance control on your actual practice putting green at you club.


You are now the best putter at your club (depending on how much you put into 1&2)

 

[patricks148]

Predictable answer but it helped me - a putting lesson from your local pro. Then you'll know what you should be focussing on in your practice.

this

 

[3565]

4-6 3 putts a round is a lot. So, I would personally go for a lesson(s) with your Pro and tell him your concerns, as there will be numerous reasons that can attribute to you 3 putting. You'll get quicker results with your pro then trying to figure it out yourself.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Plenty of solid advice already. My son got me to try the claw grip at the end of last season. I had seen some pro's use it on tour but I didn't think it would work on normal greens. How wrong was I. It worked very well for me towards the end of last year. It may not be for you but the gist is be open to different grips and different techniques. You may come across a solution for you that you had not thought of.

 

[Neilds]

Are you sure it is your putting at fault? Are the 3 putts from 50 feet or 10 feet? If it is the former it may be yur short game is the problem and you aren't giving yourself a chance to get down in two.
Remember that even the pros don't hole out from distance most of the time.

 

[Region3]

Maybe I've misunderstood, but I wouldn't have got fitted on a SAM machine with a self-confessed horrible inconsistent stroke.

When you've improved as much as you hope to will they fit you again and tweak the putter you've already bought to suit you?

 

[dan2844]

Colin Montgomerie’s coach at college used to make the team perform the following exercise before they could tee it up on the course. Only when they had successfully completed it could they play. On the putting green, put 10 balls down forming a circle, with each ball about 2ft from the cup. Give yourself a target for consecutive putts holed that will be a challenge to reach. If you miss, you have to start over. Give yourself a reward for succeeding. For Colin Montgomerie’s college team the target was holing 100 consecutive 2 footers. You can imagine the pressure of those final few putts!
[FONT=Lato, Helvetica, sans-serif]The aim of this drill is to try and better simulate playing on the golf course when we practice. It is so easy to get complacent and just reach for another ball when you miss a putt or your target on the range and think nothing of it. You are not practicing the feeling that EVERY shot count or the the increased pressure you will feel on the course[/FONT]

This is one of the best tips ive taken, ive not tried it with 100 2 foot putts but i would be very keen to. apparently the first 60-80 are easy, its just when you know you have to start all over again when you miss that puts some pressure on, of course this takes self discipline to actually stick to it though

 

[Foliage Finder]

I get a pringles tube and place it randomly around my flat. 5 balls, focus on a smooth stroke and hitting the middle of the face. If you can putt into a pringles tube, a golf hole is bigger and more forgiving! I'm now quite good at anything within my living room's length, outside that I struggle but practice on the putting green.

Disclaimer: Other tubed potato snacks are available

 

[bobmac]

You only need 2 things to put well

1.Good direction control
Keep your lower body very still

2. Good pace control.
Control the distance with the length of your stroke and dont flick your wrists

 

[Vardon11LDN]

As IanG says a lesson from your local pro would be ideal. If you have got a putting mat I would also recommend a laser which will act as a string line as well a good base for checking alignment and a putting mirror. Good fundamentals are the key to producing consistent shots for all facets of the game. Try my indoor putting drill too, great for winter practice: https://jasondransfieldgolf.wordpress.com/coaching/coaching-tips/indoor-putting/

Thanks Jason, will take a look tonight

 

[Vardon11LDN]

Are you sure it is your putting at fault? Are the 3 putts from 50 feet or 10 feet? If it is the former it may be yur short game is the problem and you aren't giving yourself a chance to get down in two.
Remember that even the pros don't hole out from distance most of the time.

It's definitely the putting, I tend to leave 15-20ft 3-4ft too short or too long and I miss a lot from 3-4ft. My short game is pretty decent.

 

[Vardon11LDN]

Thanks for the help here guys, putting mirror ordered and looking forward to getting stuck in.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Another vote for a lesson I'm afraid but a mirror is a good investment as you can check the basics and eye position

 

[ScienceBoy]

Lessons
Definitely get a lesson! Scratch that... Don't get a lesson, get several! Most people have just one then never follow it up yet have multiple iron or wedge lessons. Almost (well nearly) half the shots hit in a round are with the putter!

Sort out the eye position, stance, alignment etc etc etc


Fundamentals
No matter how personal something can be, the basics MUST be right. Without fundamentals you cannot personalise it. GASP can even be used for putting! A short pre-putt routine with a quick read and GASP works wonders!

Remember:
Grip
Alignment
Stance
Posture.


Technique
Try to go straight back and straight through (no matter what putter type you have you should not arc through the ball). You may arc a little on the end of the backstroke (I certainly do) but the idea of the putter head shape is to correct you to straight back and through, not to exaggerate the problem!

NO BODY MOVEMENT, the unit of the hands, arms and shoulders move as one. The body is a perfect solid base.


Pace Control
Accelerating through the ball is essential and pace is controlled by how far you take the club back.

Remember, however far you take the clubhead back, you have to go past the ball twice as much.

Try using this method to hole a 2 foot putt with a 2 foot backswing (4 foot through), then try one around 1 foot (2 foot through), it will probably still be too much! Use this to learn how to accelerate through the ball. I putt this way on the course!

Compare it to a 2 foot backswing and a 1 foot follow through to really drill in the difference between the two!



Drills
I suggest Jasons suggested drill too.

I used to do a slightly different one from about 4-7 feet, my record is 52 (IIRC) in a row from 4 feet. Those drill types of practice sort out your game!

My last drill is at home on the carpet, putt from 5-6 feet to a 5p coin. Can you beat 8 in a row making a little clink? You have to roll right over the coin not hit the edge and stop a foot or two behind at worst.

You have to practice GASP at home too, 5 mins a night is enough to make a change. Then do the drill for 10 mins or so, I used to drive my wife mad!


Training Aids
Cant comment on a mirror as not used one. However I recommend a putting rail, worth the investment.

V-Easy was essential while learning the shot. I mean CRITICAL! Must keep that V shape and NOT flick with wrists, the unit from shoulders to club head move together.


Long Putting
Worth putting the time in, I like to pop my V-Easy down about 2-5 feet behind the hole (depending on putt length). I then have to get the ball between the sticks and the hole (1 point), hole the putt and its 3 points. Anything long (touches the stick or hits it), outside the box (2 foot either side) or short is -1 point. Anything level with the hole and within 2 feet either side is 0 points.

Set a score then try and beat it! Try from 10, 15, 20 feet and beyond. Its a cracking drill that is a lot of fun!

I also played a game of "18" hit 9 putts from various lengths to various holes (we only had 5 so 4 holes got 2 balls or 3 holes got 3 balls). Need to score 18 or better to "win".


Chipping
As for those who mention chipping, you are spot on, raise your chipping game at the same time as putting by trying to get up and down from off the practice green (if allowed), I have been lucky to have many clubs allow this so Ive had great chance to do that. 9 balls, 18 shots is the target!

Get a couple of chipping lessons, try getting a series of 6 lessons, 2 putting, 2 chipping and 2 on pitch shots. I doubt you will be shooting the same score after that!


A.O.B
Last tip- Don't neglect bunker play, wedge play, irons, hybrids, woods, driver etc. Try and keep those at the same standard while improving your putting by giving them about 20% of your practice time. A couple of range buckets to keep your eye in plus some course time. I found my alignment with my long game drifted so I had to keep that in check while bringing up the short game.


Summary
That's pretty much a dump of my putting knowledge right there, it got me down to 11 without really being able to hit long clubs and using my 3 goals method. My short game pretty made up 80% of my scoring ability.