Short putts - "read" or "feel"?

[RGuk]

I've installed my putting mat along the line of the fireplace. I didn't want to go this route, but there are no flat putts on the practice green at my course . As there is nothing on it to read the line, I'm just putting on feel. Out on the course, I tend to aim over a small mark between the ball and hole, but (if I'm being honest) I don't really do this for anything under 4 ft, unless there's some break. Does anyone always take a read (aim over an intermediate mark) or always just see the hole out of the corner of the eye and just hit it straight??

 

[RGuk]

Just to hijack my own post...I think this is very interesting.

http://articleheaven.co.uk/pdf/article-15.pdf

As a player who moves laterally to the back foot (right) and sits into the knee, this is kind of "challenging" to say the least! BUT, as a player who also bottoms out a tad early (especially under pressure) and not get back to the front foot...this could be the way forward......looks like a reverse pivot though!!!

 

[The23rdman]

Dave,

I've seen and read many articles and threads on S&T. The general consensus is it's a very very athletic move that has been performed well by only a few. Even more so the swing of Baddeley - the poster boy of S&T - doesn't look very much like it at all.

If you want to experiment with a swing that has little weight shift you're far better off checking out Chuck Quinton's rotary swing. It's powerful, biomechanically more correct, won't lead to back problems and is much more simple.

As for the putting, I pick a little point ot aim for all the time. There's a great article I'll find about where the best putters look, and it's always at a very small and specific point on the ball. The important point is their eyes never waver from this point meaning the brain doesn't get conflicting messages.

 

[clubchamp07]

I find alot of people read to much into short putts. Espically in competition. I played on Saturday and a guy I was playing with 3 putted from 3 feet because he was watching tv the night before and seen the pro's mark their ball as close as a foot from the hole. The guy I'm talking about here used to just walk up and tap them in. Now he is trying to think like a pro.

I always go through my routine, close my eyes and hope for the best.

 

[The23rdman]

good point, Clubchamp. I went through a stage of just wandering up to any putt of 3 feet or less and casually knocking it in on the move almost. I'm absolutely sure I didn't miss as many as I do now.

 

[TonyN]

how often do you miss a putt from a couple of feet away and end up a couple of feet away again, you walk uo to it one handed and with out thinking knock it straight in without thinkin about it. I try to do this for short putts.

 

[clubchamp07]

500th.

I feel the more you think and look at a putt the more thought's come into our/your heads. I see some people take ages over putts and still miss them. Around your own course you should know the greens and shouldn't take to much time on them.

Is it any wonder we hole more long putts than we do short ones. With long putts we're just trying to know them close. But with shorter putts we must think we have to hole them to win the open.

Routine everytime. do the same routine for every shot and you will get more results.

 

[medwayjon]

Anything inside the 4ft mark I just play firm towards the cup at my course. I think that reading into these little putts is very dangerous as you can start to see a bit of break that isnt really there. Even the pros do this from time to time. For me, address it, practise stroke, hit it.

 

[pjaz]

Puting is one area I need to practice more, especially as the range I use doesn't have a putting green (its not attached to a course). A local course does have a good practice green, but every time I think about going it rains or snows at the moment. Am therefore stuck with a new putter and an indoor practice mat - aarrgghhh. Playing tomorrow so hopefully all will be revealed.

 

[RGuk]

Anything inside the 4ft mark I just play firm towards the cup at my course. I think that reading into these little putts is very dangerous as you can start to see a bit of break that isnt really there. Even the pros do this from time to time. For me, address it, practise stroke, hit it.

Yes.....this is what happened to me when I started to "read" short putts on Sunday. I missed two tiddlers because I saw something that wasn't there, or didn't actually need reading if I'm going to hit a 5 1/2 foot speed putt for a 4 foot shot.

 

[RGuk]

good point, Clubchamp. I went through a stage of just wandering up to any putt of 3 feet or less and casually knocking it in on the move almost. I'm absolutely sure I didn't miss as many as I do now.

Me too! Clearly the more you think about things, the less relaxed and more yippy you might become.

 

[RGuk]

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=juYpfvpg5ZY&feature=related

I like this guy.....could be talking rubbish.....but I'm going to watch more.