Will a new putter help

[chrisd]

As usual Coach, a lot of great advice to pick from - thanks

I bought a Nike counter balanced putter last week on a whim, so just going to try it and see if it works better than my Odyssey Versa or not

 

[louise_a]

Some things to think about there Coach.

I try and keep them tucked in Bob, not sure how long my backswing is, about 6 inches maybe.

 

[User62651]

Fishers are heavy and may help if you tend to overswing then decelerate on short putts. Had a pal who did that.

I'd get a cheap putt returner for carpet putting. If you can repeatedly hole over and over again on short putts with that you know you can do it and take it to the course.

My main focus on short putts is the follow through - absolutely make sure the club head swings through on plane without turning/twisting in hands - stiff wrists key.

 

[One Planer]

I think you should be asking with the right putter help. In that case, maybe.

Will a new putter fix a putting flaw, probably not.

 

[louise_a]

I think you should be asking with the right putter help. In that case, maybe.

Will a new putter fix a putting flaw, probably not.

I know it wont fix a basic fault, my thinking is am I waving it about because it is too light.

 

[bobmac]

I would suggest you have a technical issue with your stroke, rather than an unsuitable putter.
Keep the hips, head and wrists still during the stroke and that should help.

This would help..........

www.v-easy.co.uk

 

[louise_a]

I already have one Bob!

 

[Dasit]

Having a real crisis with my putting too so nice to see an active thread on it.

Rest of my game is getting leaps and bounds better, but putting is getting worse.



Lag putting is what kills me, I leave everything short, sometimes 10 foot or more. When I force myself to not leave short I can put it 10 foot too far.

Is it a practice thing with lag putting? Should I be getting loads of reps to start to develop better feel?

 

[louise_a]

I used to struggle with pace on long putts but eventually it just clicked and I have no idea why. So as you are pretty new to golf you just need patience and it will come.

 

[the_coach]

think having a look at the stuff mentioned could be a big help
taking vid of your practice sessions as you go would be able to see what is actually going down with the putting stroke both from face on caddy view and dtl - then you can review it during practice

from what's been said you finding difficulty with the motion & short putts - wouldn't think that it's a 'weight' issue (albeit that's possible but real unusual to have a very very light putter - but would have to check the current putter against some others to see) - and also check a heavy putter to discover whether it would be any help certainly wouldn't jump into that though

can't of course be sure but would seem to be technique is some ways is making this more difficult

would check over too the hands grip pressure being applied - a tad overtight hold can mean it's difficult to be able to 'feel' the weight of the putter head - plus the stuff earlier over 'where' the handle lies in the hands - if the handle is as a norm being more across the width of the hands so diagonal to be 'gripped' by the fingers - then if the 'tighter fingers' & hands are the initiator of taking the putter back real easy to have a 'stutter' to the putter head which travels too far back for the short distance so it decels into the ball

really think it could prove very fruitful to work through the stuff mentioned previously

 

[GreggerKBR]

Serious question.

I have been hitting the ball really well recently but constantly messing up by missing putts. My long putting is pretty good but when faced with a shortish one, I wave my putter around, I cant seem to make a nice smooth backswing.
I often miss ones under 3 feet and rarely hole anything from 3-10 feet.

This is clearly nowhere near good enough when compared with the rest of my game, I have tried allsorts to improve but nothing helps.
I m not one to blame the clubs but I really do wonder whether a putter with a heavier head would help or do I just resign myself to being a rubbish putter?

Hey Louise
The best thing to do is go and see the putting guru Mike Kanski at Harold Swash - at Formby - close to you.
He will put you right. So don't waste time with anything else... or buying a new putter.
You can trust him, he will tell if you need a new putter, most probably not.
They coach all the England squads, have loads of pro players on their books etc.
Good luck!

 

[Liverbirdie]

Louise, from when I've played with you, I'd say that it may be technical rather than the club.

You seem to jab at the putt, rather than stroking through it. As Gary said, in the past you have also tended to bring your head up very quickly trying to see how the putt has gone on.

Maybe get one lesson, see what they pick up on, then maybe go down the club route.

 

[gavmatt]

Thanks for all the comments, my main problem on short putts and I don't have the problem with long ones is that I cannot take the club back smoothly, I have a very wobbly back swing on the short ones.

I also struggled with a wobbly backswing on short putts. It was almost like a figure of eight motion!! When mucking around on the practice green one day I tried the Jordan Spieth technique of looking at the hole for shorter putts. Straight away I was hitting the ball on a better line but the pace of the putts were too quick. It took a bit of getting used to but I do this now for all putts below 6 feet and my success rate is much improved.

Not sure why it works for me. Maybe it's the fact that I'm not seeing the putter waving about on the backswing. Out of sight out of mind.

 

[AmandaJR]

I have the same putter as you Louise and don't think it's unduly light. I changed to left hand low which has helped but also recently checked my grip which was too much in fingers (see advice above from coach). I'd also suggest if you see your club waft around on the way back then your focus isn't firmly on a given spot on the ball? I used to watch my putter head back and then have a panic moment as I saw it waft around - try to be still and don't allow yourself to watch it...perhaps have a go at looking at the hole a la Jordan?

Edit - post above says it better than I did!

 

[lukeysafc100]

Nope you resign yourself to practicing your short game and putting skills! devise a plan to practice with the flat stick as much as the big dog! 14 clubs in the bag - all 14 need respect!

All lets be honest here? Are you better at long putting because the idea that you shouldn't hole it makes it easier. when faced with the 3 foot putt - you think this must be holed - putting the pressure upon yourself to fail. Read Dr Bob Rotella books. this will change you mindset!

 

[lukeysafc100]

also a good drill I do. Using 4 tee pegs
2 tee pegs the 1/2 cm wider than width of the putter
2 tee pegs in front about 6/7 inches and the pegs slightly wider than the width of ball
both aligned to the hole (although the hole is not need tbf) This helps with your stroke as if you push or pull the stroke the ball with hit the pegs - if your stroke is off the putter with hit the pegs. give it a whirl. you'll find you'll become more consistent.
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[GreggerKBR]

Louise, from when I've played with you, I'd say that it may be technical rather than the club.

You seem to jab at the putt, rather than stroking through it. As Gary said, in the past you have also tended to bring your head up very quickly trying to see how the putt has gone on.

Maybe get one lesson, see what they pick up on, then maybe go down the club route.

I agree with this, once you know that your posture and set up is correct you can start to develop the correct arc and stroke pattern.
You really need a lesson from the best putting guru to really nail this.

Then, you'll have more stability, hit more centered putts with a more dependable stroke.
Then you will develop the skills of line and speed.
Then you'll start to improve from inside <5ft and 5ft-15ft range

Fiddling with Speith method of looking at hole, changing grips, or trying any of the many other fixes will help. For a while.
But then, it will come back to the above - posture, set-up and then arc/stroke motion.
If that isn't decent to start with you will not achieve long term success with anything.

I know this because I tried most things, went to see 3 different putting "pro's".
I tried putting gates, tee pegs, putting drills, closed eye drills, looking at hole drills.
I tried putting matts, mirrors, arc trainers, skypro, putting rails, string, Zen putter, butter putter etc.
I sold 6 putters last year and I still have 4 to sell!

Trust me... go and see Mike at Harold Swash...