So now I can putt, what next?

[Stub]

As a high handicapper and older(66) golfer of 3 years standing my putting has been best described as streaky, sometimes good sometimes awful, and when bad well capable of missing from inside 2 or 3 feet. I practice regularly and have tried different drills for gauging the strength of a putt i.e. how hard to hit it but most drills were a case of repeating a 'mechanical' process intended to achieve some consistency in strike or distance but not so reliable when faced with a 'new' putt during a round rather than a repeated putt on the practice ground. Then a few weeks ago our Pro gave me a putting tip as a throwaway remark at the end of a chipping lesson. The tip was simply to 'visualise' the putt when rehearsing the putt i.e. see the putt in your mind's eye and the speed it will need to run at, the breaks it will take etc. When you have 'visualised' it step up to the ball and execute the imagined putt.

It is obvious and simple and I'm sure there will be many (all?) forum members who have been doing this since in nappies, but I cannot get over the difference it has made to my putting. I now know I can hole out a reasonable percentage from 10 feet or more and four to five footers are almost (but never totally) guaranteed. The longer putts that I don't make are generally close enough to ensure a 2 putt at worst.

I'm sure I'm relaying the bleeding obvious to those in the know but I am simply chipper with the state of my putting.

Now off the play the next rounds of our knock-outs with increased confidence:whoo:

 

[Deano23]

Visualisation is really important once we have a sound stroke. you sound like a great putter now!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Excellent news. Keep at it, keep working hard and start getting those cuts

 

[KJT123]

Sounds good!

Wish I was as confident as you are now, I'm putting like a complete buffoon. Had 7 easy birdie chances today and converted 0.

 

[Agent Pies]

Good work!

 

[joer422]

my putting was abysmal until about two weeks ago when i got a putting lesson, just moved the ball forward a bit and longer backswing on long putts and today i holed everything inside 8 foot.... not too bad considering i would go around in the forty something putts before....great feeling when you hole putts.... I would take sinking a 10 footer to save par over a 300 yard drive any day

 

[MC72]

The thing about putting us ensuring your putting stroke is in line with taking the ball to the hole. On a short(-ish) putt for me the putter follows the ball towards the hole in a line towards the hole ensuring that I have the correct line and maintain it.

i have seen a practice routine whereby 2lines are drawn in the ball and when you putt you can see if you are coming across the ball or putting in a straight line, as a rest of the lines.

I wasted to practice along a skirting hoard by one if the older guys at my club who plays off 5 (consistently) as this will promote/dictate a straight putting stroke.

my putting was abysmal until about two weeks ago when i got a putting lesson, just moved the ball forward a bit and longer backswing on long putts and today i holed everything inside 8 foot.... not too bad considering i would go around in the forty something putts before....great feeling when you hole putts.... I would take sinking a 10 footer to save par over a 300 yard drive any day

 

[sev112]

As a high handicapper and older(66) golfer of 3 years standing my putting has been best described as streaky, sometimes good sometimes awful, and when bad well capable of missing from inside 2 or 3 feet. I practice regularly and have tried different drills for gauging the strength of a putt i.e. how hard to hit it but most drills were a case of repeating a 'mechanical' process intended to achieve some consistency in strike or distance but not so reliable when faced with a 'new' putt during a round rather than a repeated putt on the practice ground. Then a few weeks ago our Pro gave me a putting tip as a throwaway remark at the end of a chipping lesson. The tip was simply to 'visualise' the putt when rehearsing the putt i.e. see the putt in your mind's eye and the speed it will need to run at, the breaks it will take etc. When you have 'visualised' it step up to the ball and execute the imagined putt.

It is obvious and simple and I'm sure there will be many (all?) forum members who have been doing this since in nappies, but I cannot get over the difference it has made to my putting. I now know I can hole out a reasonable percentage from 10 feet or more and four to five footers are almost (but never totally) guaranteed. The longer putts that I don't make are generally close enough to ensure a 2 putt at worst.

I'm sure I'm relaying the bleeding obvious to those in the know but I am simply chipper with the state of my putting.

Now off the play the next rounds of our knock-outs with increased confidence:whoo:

Seriously, the vast majority of handicap golfers miss the short ones.
Given your percentage success from 10ft you actually sound as good as anyone on here.
Pelz quotes a 20% rate at 10 ft upwards.
I wouldn't change anything you are doing
The visualisation thing is very good, but some people just don't "see" things like that . When I'm putting well, I can "see" the line, but when I'm not I can't . Then I pick a spot, aim for it and try to get the pace right for a 2 putt.