Putting woes and how I hate golf.......sometimes!

[birdieman]

I put my Mizuno putter on Ebay t'other day in an effort to scare it and make it behave. It didn't work.
2nd round of a 2 round cup last night (1st round abyssmal so no pressure) and going along reasonably steady in an effort to get my 0.1 back.
Sitting +2 going up the 8th I knock it on in 2 about 30' away. Proceeded to take 4 jabs at it, including missing from inside a foot which I cannot recall ever doing on my home course before. That floored me a bit but I took that kick in the guts ok and tried to put it behind me.
So +4 at the turn I started playing better and birdied 11 and 14 to get back to +2 and am thinking I might get home in par from there and maybe even get 0.1 off (a very rare thing these days!). 15th tee poorish drive, trouble in sand, ended up with a 6 footer for bogey and after three putting that including missing from inside a foot again I hit the ball away in disgust. Didn't swear or throw clubs or anything daft but after a season of dross that was the straw that broke the camels back so to speak. Knocked it in for a 10 after calming a little and realising with the adjusted scoring I'd be scored a 6 anyway. Still a chance to stay in buffer.
Missed an easy birdie on 16, approach short on the 17th I proceeded to thin a chip 20' past and 2 putt for bogey, couldn't find a birdie down the last and missed the buffer by 1. Aaaaaarrrgghh.

Putting shouldn't be part of golf, 2 completely different sports imo.

Needless to say I have a different putter on order. Even though I know it's me and not the putter I hate it for ever more.

I feel better now.

Maybe I need a v-easy?

 

[RichardC]

I put my Mizuno putter on Ebay t'other day in an effort to scare it and make it behave. It didn't work.

 

[JustOne]

Rory just 4 putted and Daly has hit more lips than a blind dentist - you're worrying too much.

Maybe I need a v-easy?

I think it's already too late to plant tomatoes??

 

[kid2]

Rory just 4 putted and Daly has hit more lips than a blind dentist

Priceless....

 

[thecraw]

Birdieman,

I think your having a season like me. I started the year at 4.7 and I'm currently sitting at 5.6! I have had a mare and cant even begin to put my finger on it.

In fact I've now reached the stage where I'm not even enjoying my golf any more which is worrying! Is this the stage where you should call it quits and chuck the game??? Never in my life have I ever said or felt that I don't enjoy this game any more! Funny thing is my putting is my strongest part of my game at the moment and I cant chip worth a France!

 

[birdieman]

Yes Craw, that sums it up really.
I am still quite enjoying golf sometimes but I can't seem to focus this season to grind out scores.
Mind is elsewhere on the course and that's the root of the problem I think, not thinking through the shots properly and too quick with putting. The long game isn't too bad.
No games for a wee while so hopefully can get some practice in on and around the greens.
Midweek games where I'm turning up after a 9 hour day at work is getting harder now I'm in my 40's and isn't helping I don't think.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Just checked out SS2 and only had one 4 stab over the last two years. I am putting pretty well but have been through the pain. It is a game within a game but Birdieman is a much better golfer than me so you know it'll come good whatever stick he uses. Hang in there and it will come back

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Putting is another game birdieman, it's a mind game.

I went through a mare with putting years ago and found I was trying so hard I couldn't do it. My problem was pace, I was either miles short and miles long and I was taking 38 / 39 stabs a round. On one round I took 7 x 3 putts.

I got to the point where I stood on the green with a birdie putt and would have been happy walking off with a bogie.

Then I read 'putting out of your mind' and my whole mindset changed. I now consider myself a good putter but I don't think about it, I rarely practice putting to a hole and if I'm out on my own I don't putt out as I don't putt well on my own cause I don't concentrate.

I've got no idea what goes through your mind when your putting and your clearly a better player than me so I feel a bit odd giving you advice but if you're putting thinking about pace or not 3 putting you could do a lot worse than reading 'putting out of your mind by' Bob Rotella.

 

[birdieman]

I'm good on pace it was lefts and rights that were killing me. Maybe just a confidence thing, hoping some solid practice will help as my technique is a bit suspect too - jabbing instead of a smooth through swing. Will see what the new putter does too and report back in due couse.

 

[bobmac]

Are you keeping your lower half solid or is it moving ?

 

[birdieman]

I'm not sure Bob, probably moving on Thursday anyway.
I putted ok for most of that round, made some decent putts but I don't generally make my share of 4-12 footers I don't think, will try widening my stance a little and not look after I've hit the ball to try and minimise movement. Does that sound wise?

 

[bobmac]

It's not so much about keeping the head still but but more to stop your hips and shoulders from turning.
Try and keep your left hip very still and swing your putter passed it on the line you have picked.