Here's the deal, I Fvcking suck at putting. When I say I suck I mean I probably cost myself 8-10 shots a round. I shoot 82-85 (never 90+) consistently and could easily be a mid 70's guy if I had a clue on the green's. Now I know the basics and have read literiture, and know you need confidence and all that shit but still I don't have a clue. The funny thing is every once in a while I while I will go to the course and be lights out on the greens but those days are few and far between. I do not have a lot of time to devote to practice and I tend to play about 3 different courses whose green speeds are very different. While that can be some of the problem I really just dont have it. Is there any hope for me guys or is it just a feel thing you either have or you dont? Nothing ruins a day at the course like 5-7 3 putts :com:
Putting help.....
- Thread starter UGA12
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- Nov 7, 2004
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If you have 5 to 7 three jacks per round, you are missing way too many short putts. it has to be a problem upstairs. You obviously have some talent and ball striking ability if you are consistently in the low to mid 80's. My guess is that you are setting yourself up to miss before you even start your stroke. Find a pre shot routine and use it EVERY TIME , no matter how long the putt is. If your marking and over analyzing your very short putts, stop. just walk up and stroke it in the hole. Or just do what most golfers do, blame the putter and go buy a new one... GOOD LUCK!
Thanks mully and there is no doubt that I have no confidence but that didnt start the problem just a byproduct. And yes I do miss short putts, in my defense though I make up for it by missing long and intermediate putts as well. The only conclusion that I can come up with is that I am really a left handed putter:shrug:
I may be of help here.....
First question is.....lets say you have a 15 footer....not much break....level putt
Are you consistantly miserably short....or scalding it 6 foot past the cup?
For a golfer of your skills... anytime you are 8 feet or farther away....the goal is just get the thing close. If it drops, all the more confidence as the day rolls on. 3 jacks are not very nice....especially since it sounds like you are a pretty good striker.
A good day on the course versus a bad day on the course is determined by what goes on between the ears.
And of course how much alcohol you've consumed.....:mj07:
First question is.....lets say you have a 15 footer....not much break....level putt
Are you consistantly miserably short....or scalding it 6 foot past the cup?
For a golfer of your skills... anytime you are 8 feet or farther away....the goal is just get the thing close. If it drops, all the more confidence as the day rolls on. 3 jacks are not very nice....especially since it sounds like you are a pretty good striker.
A good day on the course versus a bad day on the course is determined by what goes on between the ears.
And of course how much alcohol you've consumed.....:mj07:
I have been known to leave that putt 6 feet short and the next hole roll it 6 feet past. In all honesty as bad as my speed is my lines are even worse.Even when I have days where I am decent speed wise my reading is awful. I cant decide if I do not know how to read or if I simply can not get the ball moving to the point I think I am aiming at. I am very traditional in stance and grip, ball centered, lefthand does the work,head dowm for a rotation or two, arms working as one, never miss below the hole, ball should travel 2 feet past cup on miss, positive thoughts,bent/bermuda, grain, water, sun position, and the countless other shit that goes into my 3 jacks:com: . I dont know if it means anything but I prefer very fast greens to anything else. The faster the greens the better I putt for whatever that is worth. I know most of the time short game and putting go hand in hand and most people that are good at one are good at the other and vice versa. Thats why I have always thought you either have it or not because it is such a feel thing. BTW my short game leaves a little to be desired as well. I dont worry as much about that though because I can play to the 150 and be fine. Anyone ever tried a belly putter:shrug:
a few years ago i went to a one day Dave peltz shortgame school.. best thing i ever did for my game.. see if there is one in your area this summer.. they ususally spend a week at different courses around the country....morning is spent on sand shot, chipping and lob wedge... after lunch 3 hours on putting !! i now expect to make everything, and rarely 3 putt.. maybe once every other round...
Pace is far more important than accuracy on a long putt. You want to at least get the first put near the hole. I try to work on my putting as often as I can.
I live about a mile from a course, so even if I don't intend on playing, I still like to go putt if I have an extra half hour in my day.
I actually did play a club match yesterday, and it was my first round in June! (I've had a sore shoulder.) My putting was very off!! I still eked out a win (1 up), but I only made one notable putt.
Those days will piss you off! You need to go to the practice green afterwords, and work on it.
You sound like you always struggle, so you need to change something. It's really impossible to assess your issue over the web, though. See a teaching pro!
I live about a mile from a course, so even if I don't intend on playing, I still like to go putt if I have an extra half hour in my day.
I actually did play a club match yesterday, and it was my first round in June! (I've had a sore shoulder.) My putting was very off!! I still eked out a win (1 up), but I only made one notable putt.
Those days will piss you off! You need to go to the practice green afterwords, and work on it.
You sound like you always struggle, so you need to change something. It's really impossible to assess your issue over the web, though. See a teaching pro!
Buddy of mine was around a 10 hdcp and just lost it on the greens, eventually moving his hdcp all the way to 17. He could not putt a lick, literally averaging 42-45 putts per round. Got him to switch to the claw putting grip and at least he puts a fluid stroke on all his putts, the average is down to 35-36 putts and his hdcp is back to 13.
One thing you are right, guys that are good putters, know they are good putters and EXPECT to make the putts {like me :mj07: :00hour }
Good luck but you need to make a change, it will at least give you a different frame of mind and confidence level.
One thing you are right, guys that are good putters, know they are good putters and EXPECT to make the putts {like me :mj07: :00hour }
Good luck but you need to make a change, it will at least give you a different frame of mind and confidence level.
One thing that has really helped me with my putting is that I have the same routine almost every single time I set up over a putt. I take one practice putt looking at the ball, then I look at the hole while taking a practice putt to help me gauge how far I need to hit it. Then I take one more practice putt and see how far back I take it then step up and putt it. I would say the main reason I'm a 9 handicap is because I make a lot of putts. Another thing is that every time I stand over a putt I KNOW I'm going to make it. I truly think that positive thinking helps you out here. Hope this helps. Maybe a 2-ball putter would help you out? :shrug:
Take back the red card you gave me (dirtbag?) and give me green!
3 putt avoidance is a huge tour stat. Getting that ball in the hole is what it is all about. You cannot choose a line for a putt until you decide how hard you are going to hit it. Speed is everything. If you are trying to hit it 2 ft past everytime, that is too hard. The cup shrinks about 20% for a putt hit that hard. Dying the ball into the hole allows it to topple in on the sides instead of spinning out. You don't see great pool players hammering the ball in the pocket.
If you think about it logically, putting is not that difficult. How tough is making a back and forth stroke on a 15 ft putt? Almost anyone can do it, and there are as many techniques, strokes, and putters as there are golfers. You need to change your focus. Quit worrying about your putterhead (you probably at this point even watch it during the stroke:nono: ) and focus on your target. Quit thinking about what you DON'T want to do and focus on what you DO want to do. Like shooting a gun, aim small/miss small. Find a blade of grass in the back of the cup on short ones, and a ball mark or something on longer putts and get target oriented. If the putt doesn't break more than 4 inches, play it INSIDE the hole. I have played in scrambles with many a high handicap, and you tell them 1 ball outside the cup and they hit it a cup out and think it was a good putt. Bang those 3 footers in the back without fear of missing, and topple those longer ones in the front. Practice putting while looking at the hole when warming up. And take a few practice strokes on course while looking at your target. Then get over the ball and let it fly. Also, try looking at the front of the ball instead of the back, it helps with following through.
Another tip, take a sharpie and put a stripe on the side of your ball and line it up on 5 footers and in. It takes one thing to worry about out of the equation, all you have to do then is stroke it.
GL!
3 putt avoidance is a huge tour stat. Getting that ball in the hole is what it is all about. You cannot choose a line for a putt until you decide how hard you are going to hit it. Speed is everything. If you are trying to hit it 2 ft past everytime, that is too hard. The cup shrinks about 20% for a putt hit that hard. Dying the ball into the hole allows it to topple in on the sides instead of spinning out. You don't see great pool players hammering the ball in the pocket.
If you think about it logically, putting is not that difficult. How tough is making a back and forth stroke on a 15 ft putt? Almost anyone can do it, and there are as many techniques, strokes, and putters as there are golfers. You need to change your focus. Quit worrying about your putterhead (you probably at this point even watch it during the stroke:nono: ) and focus on your target. Quit thinking about what you DON'T want to do and focus on what you DO want to do. Like shooting a gun, aim small/miss small. Find a blade of grass in the back of the cup on short ones, and a ball mark or something on longer putts and get target oriented. If the putt doesn't break more than 4 inches, play it INSIDE the hole. I have played in scrambles with many a high handicap, and you tell them 1 ball outside the cup and they hit it a cup out and think it was a good putt. Bang those 3 footers in the back without fear of missing, and topple those longer ones in the front. Practice putting while looking at the hole when warming up. And take a few practice strokes on course while looking at your target. Then get over the ball and let it fly. Also, try looking at the front of the ball instead of the back, it helps with following through.
Another tip, take a sharpie and put a stripe on the side of your ball and line it up on 5 footers and in. It takes one thing to worry about out of the equation, all you have to do then is stroke it.
GL!
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What good is this advise when he openly says he is doesn't have time to practice? Sounds like he is looking for a miracle potion but then again Iverson is a pretty good player and he didn't want to practice either.:shrug:
Thanks guys all the feedback is appreciated and will be put to use. Nothing can hurt at this point. I may try the belly putter if nothing changes.
Agent as soon as I can remove the red box I will. Though I will say based upon your ranking it seems you have had many more than mine:com: Lastly I understand why you say putting is easy as I think tha same thing about sand shots, yet others fear them terribly.; The point is things that come naturally to you does not neccesaraly mean it is easy at all. The only thing I would take issue with is the statement that letting it die in the hole increases your chances of making the longer putts. I understand the theory but unless it is a straight putt I dont think it holds up (jmo)
Sponge I said at the start I didnt have much practice time, and no I am not looking for a magic potion. If it were all about practice then I would be awful off the box and also with the irons, so there is obviously more to it. I know I may not get the answers here but I already have some new things to try and that was the point of the thread.
Thanks Guys
Agent as soon as I can remove the red box I will. Though I will say based upon your ranking it seems you have had many more than mine:com: Lastly I understand why you say putting is easy as I think tha same thing about sand shots, yet others fear them terribly.; The point is things that come naturally to you does not neccesaraly mean it is easy at all. The only thing I would take issue with is the statement that letting it die in the hole increases your chances of making the longer putts. I understand the theory but unless it is a straight putt I dont think it holds up (jmo)
Sponge I said at the start I didnt have much practice time, and no I am not looking for a magic potion. If it were all about practice then I would be awful off the box and also with the irons, so there is obviously more to it. I know I may not get the answers here but I already have some new things to try and that was the point of the thread.
Thanks Guys
I am sure someone else has stated this and wasn't going to take the time to read everyone else response, but it is all about speed. Forget anything else. I don't care if you practice on cement in your garage, the living room carpet, or wherever. Think speed. Someone in your situation shouldn't be trying to make >20 footers, but only to get in the area of an easy second putt. Once you figure out the speed, then one can be more aggressive reading breaks. Stay below the hole.......................
jr11
jr11
I found that a temper tantrum and throwing the club helped me quite a bit as I haven't missed a putt on that course since.
Hope this helps,
FDC
Agent,
Give it up on the stupid ass reputation cards dude. You have only made things worse for yourself now by letting everyone know you actually care about the fuhking things. Let it go dude. Do you honestly give a shit.........well nevermind............forgot who I was talking to. Let it go dude.
That should help,
FDC
Hope this helps,
FDC
Agent,
Give it up on the stupid ass reputation cards dude. You have only made things worse for yourself now by letting everyone know you actually care about the fuhking things. Let it go dude. Do you honestly give a shit.........well nevermind............forgot who I was talking to. Let it go dude.
That should help,
FDC
I know nothing about golf. With that said, is this how you get to 94th in an amateur tourney in a small town in Indy? Is this a hard tourney to play in?
Agent in the Indiana State Amateur
Agent is playing in the Indiana State Amateur Tournament this weekend in Jack's hometown. But he is not playing at the course we are playing in the golf outing.
captmorgan34 is his caddy
Below is a link to his scorecard
http://iga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/iga.../scorecard.htm
Not a good start, currently tied for 94th, but compared to the leaders, but Agent shot about right what he normally shoots according to the other tourney's posted.
Come on Agent, get your butt in gear and go after those bastards at the top
Georgia To me it sounds like this is really bothering you. When i suck at something there is only two things to do. Research and practice. I know you said you have limited time to practice but it looks like if you are gonna conquer this you better find more time. All i was trying to say. Hopefully it works out for you. Sorry if it came off a little to strong.
If you can't make it out to the course I would get a putting arc @ Putting Arc and practice your stroke while you are watching tv or something. Don't worry about speed or where it is going, just putt over and over for a set amount everyday. Get confidence you are making good strokes.
Then we you go out to the course practice only putts within 5ft or so with your new stroke. Just really work on your confidence.
Next time you get a chance after you build some confidence practice your lagging. Like people have been saying before don't focus on making your longer putts, focus on getting them close. If you continue to get them close eventually some will start falling. Putting is more an art than science, so build some confidence and practice lagging. Good luck
Then we you go out to the course practice only putts within 5ft or so with your new stroke. Just really work on your confidence.
Next time you get a chance after you build some confidence practice your lagging. Like people have been saying before don't focus on making your longer putts, focus on getting them close. If you continue to get them close eventually some will start falling. Putting is more an art than science, so build some confidence and practice lagging. Good luck
