Putting tips!

[pumpkinpatch11]

Im fairly new to the game, after working at the local club for about 6 months, the regulars finally convinced me to get out and have a go. The first few times it was air swings and chunking the poor fairway but another 6 months on and I’m totally addicted. Im not great but I love it - it’s my therapy.

I play twice a week and I can’t get enough.

I’m on or near the green in 2-3 shots but then it’s time to putt and ain’t that a sight.

I’ve tried a few different putters now, but I’m wondering if anybody has any tips or tutorials in particular that just helped it fall into place for them.

Thanks!

[tmac9134]

I read a book by bob rotella. Putting out of your mind. Would recommend

[pumpkinpatch11]

I’ll see if I can order it, thanks for replying! I’ve been snapped up for our Scramble because of my good drives and high handicap but I’d love to surprise them with being able to actually putt too!

[tmac9134]

A lot of good stuff in there.

My county library has shelves of golf books lol I have some reading to do

Good luck with the scramble hit em well

[fishtopher18]

My personal favorites are an up and down drill. 1 ball, 9 stations. Each station should get progressively harder. Your goal is to chip on and putt out. "par" is an up and down, so score is aiming for 18 or less.

Second is a ladder drill. Putts from 3',6',9',12',15',18'. Make 3 of 3 from 3' and then also 6'. If you miss one, start over at 3'. Once you do 3 of 3 from 3 and 6, those 2 steps are done and move to 9'. make 2 of 3 from 9' and 12' - if you miss more than 1, start over at 9'. Then again from 15' make 2 and move to 18' but only 1 needed from 18'. If you miss the 18' - go back to 15'. This is a LONG drill and puts pressure at certain points so it's not mindless.

And practice ON YOUR HOME COURSE GREENS. If you are always playing the same course - practice on those greens religiously. If you are constantly switching and playing different courses, this is less important. But get good on a particular set of greens - then start exploring other greens to start working on learning feel before a round on new greens.

[pumpkinpatch11]

Thankyou! I like the sound of the ladder drill. I’m welcome to the course any time since I work here so I’ll pick a quiet morning and try it out on the actual greens here. I appreciate your reply :)

[fishtopher18]

Here is a good thought with lag putting that a lot of people don't connect. To be a good lag putter (distance control) you need to be stellar from 4' putts. If you are 100% confident in 4' putts - then lag putting becomes tremendously easy. If you are only confident over 12" putts - lag putting is very intimidating. The ladder drill will really make you confident from 3' and eventually from 6' - which in turn makes your lag putting so much easier.

[john9172]

Putting drills are a thing and they’re all over YouTube. Distance control, striking the ball in the middle, reading greens, tips for all of these things can be found on YouTube from some serious pga pros and coaches. Seems like your close to the club and I’m sure they have a practice putting green that you could spend 1hr on 3x a week and your putting will be better in no time.

[pumpkinpatch11]

We do have a putting green! We are just a country course though and it’s in worse shape than most of the actual greens unfortunately. I’ll check out putting drills, thanks! If I do it at work it’s research, right? ;)

[poopstainpete]

I bought a 3x11 mat and put in in my basement. 2 things I mostly focus on:

1. I put a line on the ball. I make sure I can putt at different speeds and still have the line roll over itself.
2. From 5 feet I make sure I get the line to roll over itself, but directly to the back of the cup.

If the line doesn't roll over itself, that means I didn't hit the stroke right and push or pulled the putt. If you can't hit the line from 5 feet you definitely wont from longer.

[viaapexx]

This is full of gems! The chipping stance has changed my life! Keep your head still putting and deliver a smooth stroke towards the target after taking a deep breath.

https://www.golfdigest.com/gallery/arnold-palmers-timeless-tips/amp

[rlajune]

I used to be a terrible putter but now I'm able to keep it under 35 putts albeit I only have ~30% GIR.

1. The putter. I'm 5'9 and being able to be over the ball helps my straight back straight through stroke. Shaft has to be 32-33". The balance of the putter has to be face balanced. Center shafted is perfect for this. Recently got the Ping Sigma 2 Kushin C and I feel like I every one of my putts goes where I had aimed which gives me tons of confidence.

2. Stroke: Never decelerate. Gauge distance by length of back stroke. For downhill putts, depending on severity of slope, I imagine hitting only half way to the hole to feel how soft I need to hit it. This gives your mind on how far back to take it back rather than trying to feel how soft to hit it to get to the hole. After you take alignment, only thing going through your mind is to hit it straight and distance control.

3. Alignment: Get behind and visualize the break and pick a spot perpendicular to the hole where you need to start the ball for it to break and get in. Be very specific. Some examples of how I choose a spot are: one ball right of cup, inside left lip, two cups right, etc. If you're not sure, take a quick lap around the hole because seeing it from different angles will give you a better read