SAM Putting Lab

Ingenius. This is where i've being going wrong with my putting woes. Put it in the hole! I feel like an idiot. Thank you for solving my problems in one fell swoop. Hero.
 
Perfect practise makes perfect.

Certainly helps, once you define 'Perfect Practice'. Though my understanding of this (using errors as a learning exercise rather than a failure) means your quote becomes pretty much an oxymoron,

I would be interest to know how many of MarkGS's 90+ blows in any round were putts. The 'all you need to do is practice' philosophy could be extended to the full swing and short game, doing away with the need for any sort of training - one approach, but not one I'd advocate as particularly 'effiien'!

As Bob posted, SAM produces a serious amount of data, with some pretty pictures, so strengths, weaknesses and tendencies can be identified. Subsequent practice, or possible equipment change can use the data to optimise either practice or putter choice.

@OP I hope the session goes well. When are you going?
 
@OP I hope the session goes well. When are you going?

Cheers fella, going on Monday, 11am. I believe the pro at Pannal GC has a good reputation in the short game area so in addition to the SAM fitting business, I'm hoping to get some tips and hints to help me improve my putting, or at the very least how I can practice more efficiently, and as has been mentioned above, practice the right things.
 
The Sam putting lab will give you lots of data.
It will show you stuff like the angle off attack, the speed, the direction of the swing, where you make contact on the putter face etc etc
In other words, you will discover what you do well and what you dont.
Using different putters may give you better results in some areas and and worse in others.
You pay your money, you take your choice

At the end of the day, it's about the direction of the stroke, the speed of the stroke and the confidence your putter gives and if a new putter gives you more confidence then pay the dosh.

I did one of these at Pachesham, and it does exactly what Bob says. In my case it identified that I took the putter away outside & cut across the ball on the way back. It also identified that I did that very consistently. They identified my style of stroke and based on that and other measurements recommended a putter type (face balanced) and length, but the best bit was that they didn't push anything on me, just gave me the information and left me to go and choose one. I would recommend them, good luck with yours.
 
Well, had the session this morning and it was very informative. Dave Padgett the pro at Pannal was very friendly and delivered some straight forward hints/tips/critiques on my putting stroke.

Without boring everyone with statistics, the summary of my stroke and overall putting technique from the SAM technology and Dave's professional opinion was as follows;

* Good setup position with face in neutral position.
* Backswing too short.
* Face at impact on average between 2 and 3 degrees open.
* Come across the ball at impact, so putter path goes out to in, missing puts right.
* Despite the above, I have a consistent stroke.

So, from the data delivered by SAM and the pro's observations, he gave me some points to improve my putting. The main change was my grip on the putter, particularly in relation to my left hand and trying to keep the back of it pointing at target throughout the stroke, and also trying to maintain a consistent relationship between the angle of my forearm and putter shaft. This was quite difficult to master in the session, but using a mirror helps to check the setup position.

In addition, my stance was widened and set back a little further away from the ball, with a view to getting my eyes on the right line, on or just inside the line of the ball. Currently I stand too close to the ball, with my eyes outside the line of the ball.

So, we finished the session with some suggested drills and practice work (mirror, mirror, mirror) when I piped up with asking about putter types/lengths and what was the best thing for me to use. Dave suggested that a face balanced model would perhaps suit and help me to reduce the open face angle at impact. He also emphasised finding a putter you like the look of to inspire confidence.

I didn't get fitted for a putter there and then, with Dave's advice being to practice the drills first and try and put them in to play (maybe find a face balanced putter to try out) and see how I get on. Then, when I'm more settled with the changes, come back for another session to check my progress.

Overall, I was happy with the session and did find it very informative with all the data available. That said, I think I benefited more from the pro's advice than the actual numbers generated by SAM. So, a putting lesson, yes, HIGHLY recommended. A SAM putting session, maybe, but good sound professional advice will take you further.

Cheers
 
Seems an excellent session!

I wouldn't be quite so quick to play down the benefit of the Sam PL. I believe such tools are a huge help in the 'selling' process of the lesson - just like Video lessons.

Centre shafted putters tend to dominate the face-balanced area and while while many are also mallets, there are quite a few that are more blade like - Odessey make a few. There are also a number of Anser style ones as well - Yes Tracy II is one.

Good luck with your search - and progress.

Seems like a putting mirror is a likely purchase too!
 
Well, had the session this morning and it was very informative. Dave Padgett the pro at Pannal was very friendly and delivered some straight forward hints/tips/critiques on my putting stroke.

Without boring everyone with statistics, the summary of my stroke and overall putting technique from the SAM technology and Dave's professional opinion was as follows;

* Good setup position with face in neutral position.
* Backswing too short.
* Face at impact on average between 2 and 3 degrees open.
* Come across the ball at impact, so putter path goes out to in, missing puts right.
* Despite the above, I have a consistent stroke.

So, from the data delivered by SAM and the pro's observations, he gave me some points to improve my putting. The main change was my grip on the putter, particularly in relation to my left hand and trying to keep the back of it pointing at target throughout the stroke, and also trying to maintain a consistent relationship between the angle of my forearm and putter shaft. This was quite difficult to master in the session, but using a mirror helps to check the setup position.

In addition, my stance was widened and set back a little further away from the ball, with a view to getting my eyes on the right line, on or just inside the line of the ball. Currently I stand too close to the ball, with my eyes outside the line of the ball.

So, we finished the session with some suggested drills and practice work (mirror, mirror, mirror) when I piped up with asking about putter types/lengths and what was the best thing for me to use. Dave suggested that a face balanced model would perhaps suit and help me to reduce the open face angle at impact. He also emphasised finding a putter you like the look of to inspire confidence.

I didn't get fitted for a putter there and then, with Dave's advice being to practice the drills first and try and put them in to play (maybe find a face balanced putter to try out) and see how I get on. Then, when I'm more settled with the changes, come back for another session to check my progress.

Overall, I was happy with the session and did find it very informative with all the data available. That said, I think I benefited more from the pro's advice than the actual numbers generated by SAM. So, a putting lesson, yes, HIGHLY recommended. A SAM putting session, maybe, but good sound professional advice will take you further.

Cheers

any update on how things are now 2 weeks later? still improving? bought an appropriate putter?
 
My putting in the two comps directly after the lesson (lesson on Saturday, rounds the same day and Sunday) was the best it's ever been. In my matchplay I had three single putt holes in a row, all from over 8 or so feet! Then I peaked.

My putting is certainly better since the lesson and it's something I'm working on with practice, but the initial success has been tempered slightl, still can 3 putt with the best of them.

As for a new putter, I still have the steel Ping Anser 2 in the bag, but always on the look out. I'd like an Anser Milled, but they seem like rocking horse poo to get hold of at a reasonable price.

Hoe about you Darth? SAM on the cards?
 
My putting in the two comps directly after the lesson (lesson on Saturday, rounds the same day and Sunday) was the best it's ever been. In my matchplay I had three single putt holes in a row, all from over 8 or so feet! Then I peaked.

My putting is certainly better since the lesson and it's something I'm working on with practice, but the initial success has been tempered slightl, still can 3 putt with the best of them.

As for a new putter, I still have the steel Ping Anser 2 in the bag, but always on the look out. I'd like an Anser Milled, but they seem like rocking horse poo to get hold of at a reasonable price.

Hoe about you Darth? SAM on the cards?

yes, trying to get a suitable date sorted as I type........key for me will be consistency, consistency of strike, the line and speed is something more borne out of experience but theres no point picking the right line and speed of stroke only to mis hit.
 
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