Putting woes!

[rosie]

I had to check that this thread hadn’t been started by me in a moment of dark despair over my putting ?
If I have a 3 putt early on in a round my confidence goes and I can’t putt for toffee, I have games where I dread putting. My action is ok, i can read the line, but as I get more and more tense my right hand twists. I putt left hand low as it helps slightly, I know it’s all in my head but have no solution. Even if I chip to 3 or 4 foot it’s a 2 putt. So following this thread for helpful advice.

 

[Orikoru]

Best putting tip I ever received was from an auld boy..
As a young teenager I was wingeing to him in a similar way to the OP.
His reply was, 'you seldom 3 putt from the middle of the green'
If you are putting badly, look at your club selection/accuracy.
Most of the time golfers club themselves to play to the front of the green

Ah yeah, just hit it into the middle of the green every time. Easy fix. Wonder why we didn't think of that?

 

[jmf1488]

I had to check that this thread hadn’t been started by me in a moment of dark despair over my putting ?
If I have a 3 putt early on in a round my confidence goes and I can’t putt for toffee, I have games where I dread putting. My action is ok, i can read the line, but as I get more and more tense my right hand twists. I putt left hand low as it helps slightly, I know it’s all in my head but have no solution. Even if I chip to 3 or 4 foot it’s a 2 putt. So following this thread for helpful advice.

One of the common mistakes i see from fellow playing partners who miss these sort of putts is that they never hit them hard enough. From 3 feet it is possible to take any break out of a putt by giving it a good hit. Aim it at the hole and drill it in. Try it the next time your on a putting a green. Whatever pace you think you need, give it a bit more and watch the results. If you miss left or right then either the swing path is wrong or the face is pointing the wrong way at impact.

 

[Orikoru]

One of the common mistakes i see from fellow playing partners who miss these sort of putts is that they never hit them hard enough. From 3 feet it is possible to take any break out of a putt by giving it a good hit. Aim it at the hole and drill it in. Try it the next time your on a putting a green. Whatever pace you think you need, give it a bit more and watch the results. If you miss left or right then either the swing path is wrong or the face is pointing the wrong way at impact.

I used to do this until we couldn't take the flags out anymore. Now it runs the risk of bouncing out if the flag is too thick, or leaning slightly one way, or there's a stupid lifting device on it.

 

[bobmac]

One of the common mistakes i see from fellow playing partners who miss these sort of putts is that they never hit them hard enough.

I wouldn't agree it's a mistake, it's a choice.
Some prefer to ram them in, others prefer to drop them in.
The rammers say the ball stays on line better, the droppers say a ball has more chance of dropping in the side door if hit with dead weight.
One thing is certain, if they both miss, the rammer will have the longer putt back.

 

[bwstokie]

Do you vary the length of your backswing for different length putts?

Just back from a quick 9 holes where I played lovely tee to green yet again - 4/6 fairways, 6/9 GIR, yet I've 3 putted 4 times and twice from within 20 feet. I've really tried to concentrate on the putts, took my time to read them, line up my ball over my intended start line (I mark all of my balls with a large line to in theory aid alignment), looked at them from all sides and really tried to concentrate on the pace before taking my final address. It's absolutely psychological as the strike/roll is just so inconsistent. Think I'm definitely making matters worse because of tension etc.

I'm going to have to really focus in on this practice as it's what's stopping me being a solid single figure player. Frustrating the hell out of me that I can regularly find tight fairways and greens but then can't get the little white ball in a hole that's around 3 times as wide as the blasted ball!!!

In response Bob, I try to however I wouldn't swear that that's what actually happens?

Thanks everyone for all of the advice.

 

[Boomy]

Ah yeah, just hit it into the middle of the green every time. Easy fix. Wonder why we didn't think of that?

Sarcasm aside - It’s actually a really valid point. Most amateurs think they hit their clubs a lot further than they actually do in reality... and generally come up short, leaving a cute chip or long putt. Unless you’re at such a level to know your accurate yardages and hit them consistently playing for the middle of the green is a good way to shorten your putts and give yourself a chance.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

I'm in the same boat, since I joined my new club for this year, coming back from lockdown I've hit the ball probably better than ever, but shooting mid-80s with 36+ putts. All the greens at the new place are rapid and on a side slope. I can never read them correctly, and the downhillers I just can't hit them soft enough at times. I've had at least 3 three-putts every round so far. These days I'm not confident in making a two-putt from anywhere, and not confident of holing anything outside of one foot.

I don't have any advice as I'm clueless as well, just showing solidarity. ???

For a downhiller that is as rapid as you're describing, the solution is in your approach play rather than your putting. As you get used to your new course you'll learn where you can and cannot miss based on pin locations and you'll get to grips with it.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

Just back from a quick 9 holes where I played lovely tee to green yet again - 4/6 fairways, 6/9 GIR, yet I've 3 putted 4 times and twice from within 20 feet. I've really tried to concentrate on the putts, took my time to read them, line up my ball over my intended start line (I mark all of my balls with a large line to in theory aid alignment), looked at them from all sides and really tried to concentrate on the pace before taking my final address. It's absolutely psychological as the strike/roll is just so inconsistent. Think I'm definitely making matters worse because of tension etc.

I'm going to have to really focus in on this practice as it's what's stopping me being a solid single figure player. Frustrating the hell out of me that I can regularly find tight fairways and greens but then can't get the little white ball in a hole that's around 3 times as wide as the blasted ball!!!

Thanks everyone for all of the advice.

If you think the strike is inconsistent, wrap two elastic bands round your putter either side of the sweet spot and practice hitting putts with them on. If you're missing the middle of the putter the ball will hit one of the elastic bands and go off on an angle. You'll soon find out if you've got an inconsistent strike!

The only other thing bit of advice I'd give you (and it contradicts what I've said above a little) is that it sounds like you might be overthinking it. Kids putt really well and they don't do any of the above, they take a look at the hole, then just putt it in a completely tension free way - sounds like just walking up to it, having a quick look and then putting might be more effective. Overthinking, taking too long over it, adds to tension which is a killer for putting. As an example, if I have a short putt, say 2 or 3 ft, and i just walk up to it and tap it in, sometimes even with the back of my putter, i never miss. If I line it up for ages, think about pace, break, I'm more likely to miss.

 

[Orikoru]

Sarcasm aside - It’s actually a really valid point. Most amateurs think they hit their clubs a lot further than they actually do in reality... and generally come up short, leaving a cute chip or long putt. Unless you’re at such a level to know your accurate yardages and hit them consistently playing for the middle of the green is a good way to shorten your putts and give yourself a chance.

Valid in the context of golf, but not really valid in the context of this thread. If you're short of the green then that's actually one less putt, making your putting stat look better in isolation.

I'm usually aiming for the green as a whole, let alone the middle of it, and I'm happy if it gets on there at all. At my new club I've been forced to start thinking about playing for front and back as well because of the severe slope on some of them. But I don't think "hit it to the middle of the green" is really applicable advice here.

 

[Orikoru]

For a downhiller that is as rapid as you're describing, the solution is in your approach play rather than your putting. As you get used to your new course you'll learn where you can and cannot miss based on pin locations and you'll get to grips with it.

I already know where I can't miss. That doesn't mean my ball won't go there anyway.

 

[bobmac]

In response Bob, I try to however I wouldn't swear that that's what actually happens?

Thanks everyone for all of the advice.

Your tempo should never change, just the length of the swing.
Set up for a 3 feet putt and place an object (milk bottle/bean tin whatever) 4-6 inches behind the ball.
Make the stroke and don't let the putter head hit the object.
This feeling will help you if your backswing is too long and give you a more positive stroke.

 

[chrisd]

I was fine with the flagstick in, but now we've changed to the lifting disc fitted on to the stick I've seen too many putts from me, and my playing partners, hittin the flagstick and bouncing out. This has lead to trying to drop the ball in and on poor bobbly putting surfaces the result is more missed putts that way.

 

[Boomy]

Valid in the context of golf, but not really valid in the context of this thread. If you're short of the green then that's actually one less putt, making your putting stat look better in isolation.

I'm usually aiming for the green as a whole, let alone the middle of it, and I'm happy if it gets on there at all. At my new club I've been forced to start thinking about playing for front and back as well because of the severe slope on some of them. But I don't think "hit it to the middle of the green" is really applicable advice here.

Every little helps! The OP highlighted a lot of long putts, so, work on hitting the middle of the green, sink 1 or 2 mid length putts = confidence boosted = confident putting ??‍

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Ah yeah, just hit it into the middle of the green every time. Easy fix. Wonder why we didn't think of that?

Nearly right, I was suggesting taking the correct club to reach the middle of the green.
The other advantage of this strategy is that very few greens have hazards beyond the middle point.

Disadvantages are you can't brag to your pals that you hit the par 5 with a drive and a six iron [even if you are an inch on the green and 65 feet from the flag. ie two/three clubs short]]

One of my training aids for good young golfers [2-8 handicap] was to note the number of times their shot to the green finished past the pin.
In most cases it was around 2 or 3 out of 18.

 

[Ser Shankalot]

Tension and confidence can take time and practice to fix. Probably lots of good suggestions here. But as a short term band aid while you work on the underlying reasons and solutions, have you thought about using a fatter putter grip? My understanding is that they help reduce grip pressure.

 

[bwstokie]

Tension and confidence can take time and practice to fix. Probably lots of good suggestions here. But as a short term band aid while you work on the underlying reasons and solutions, have you thought about using a fatter putter grip? My understanding is that they help reduce grip pressure.

Funny you should say that - my 'second' putter has a fatter grip so perhaps my 'first' putter needs to go on the naughty step for a bit!

 

[RichA]

Your tempo should never change, just the length of the swing.
Set up for a 3 feet putt and place an object (milk bottle/bean tin whatever) 4-6 inches behind the ball.
Make the stroke and don't let the putter head hit the object.
This feeling will help you if your backswing is too long and give you a more positive stroke.

I'm not a good golfer, but I used to putt OK. When I started again last year and had lessons, one of them was dedicated to putting. The pro is a putting specialist. He taught what you're talking about - chanting, "One thousand and one," to myself so the tempo was always the same. I got worse. Since I've gone back to changing the tempo, maintaining the same swing length and going with my feelings (cringe), things have improved.
I guess what works for good golfers doesn't necessarily work for hackers like me.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

Funny you should say that - my 'second' putter has a fatter grip so perhaps my 'first' putter needs to go on the naughty step for a bit!

Might be a good idea. Sounds like you need to do something to give you a fresh start as the issue sounds like it's between your ears and not technical!

Putting one handed can be good - takes technique out of the equation.

You might disagree, it just doesn't sound to me like you need to change your putting technique, you just need to get out of your own way

 

[bwstokie]

Just back from today’s knock and pleased to report something resembling progress!

No 3 putts and didn’t leave any first putt woefully short or aggressively long - put the old two ball putter with the 2 thumb grip in the bag and it was night and day. Just seemed to have lots more feel and the stroke felt much better. Think the fatter grip and the more level shoulders helped along with the cheeky 15 footer on the par 5 1st for birdie helping massively with confidence.

Thanks for all the suggestions!