Wie's Putting - Is it better?

[Yuck]

Wie's putting seems noticeably better the last couple of months. Different stye of putting and a different putter. Anyone else notice the same?

[Jasonic]

Hard for me to look past that god awful robotic full swing...

[Shilgy]

Yeah, her and Spieth should listen to us and fix their swing. That'll fix 'em. :)

They both do quite well with their flawed swings.

[4waymiss]

Wie's putting seems noticeably better the last couple of months. Different stye of putting and a different putter. Anyone else notice the same?

 

Her putting style changes week to week. But not only is her putting, all aspect of her game is way better than her dreadful past season.

 

But I think it's mainly is the improvement of her ball striking, pulling up her putting stats with it.

[Raving Shanker]

She's getting tournaments under the belt without injury, and that has helped every part of her game - although even this year has had some medical dramas. I think she labours over everything, but has enough talent to make it work. Shame she can't become a golf player instead of technique junkie.

[Argonne69]

Putts per GIR: 2017 1.75 2016 1.85

Putting Average: 2017 29.21 2016 29.97

GIR: 2017 73.4% 2016 63.3%

Fairways: 2017 71.8% 2016: 55.8%

 

Michelle is much better off the tee this season. Frankly, she had no where to go but up. Finding more fairways generally leads to more GIRs (13.2 vs. 11.4). Even though she is hitting an average of 1.8 more greens, her putting average is down. This is a good indication that her putting is better, as one's putts usually goes up with GIRs. Also, the putts per GIR is down this season, also a good indicator of improved putting.

 

Now, it's possible that the improvements are due to better iron play, i.e. proximity to the hole. Given that she's hitting her approaches from the fairway more frequently, I'm guessing this is a partial contributor.

 

Unfortunately, without Shotlink we really can't draw a firm conclusion. However, I think our eyes and our gut feelings are correct, she's putting much better this season. The strokes look smooth and confident. Yeah, there are a few shaky short putts, but overall they look better. She also doesn't seem to be leaving 90% of her putts short.

[BLLDWG23]

Her putting had to get better, it honestly couldn't of gotten a whole lot worse.

 

All in all though if you look at her numbers she has improved everywhere. That's building her confidence and now you are seeing solid play week in and week out. I don't think she'll ever be a great putter, mush like Lexi though she has to figure out how to be a decent putter. Cause if Lexi was a good putter nobody could hardly touch her.

[Glaze22]

Maybe, somehow she got a little distance from her parents? I still think they are the biggest problem with her game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Argonne69]

Maybe, somehow she got a little distance from her parents? I still think they are the biggest problem with her game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Nope. They're both with her every step of the way. I saw her father following her group at the Volvik a few weeks back.

[DavePelz4]

There's 1 stat in golf that matters. Scoring. Last year she averaged 72.95 shots per round. This year her average is 69.8. In a 4 round event, she's gained 12 shots as compared to last year. For someone at that level, that is a huge improvement.

[NorthTexasGlfr]

There's 1 stat in golf that matters. Scoring. Last year she averaged 72.95 shots per round. This year her average is 69.8. In a 4 round event, she's gained 12 shots as compared to last year. For someone at that level, that is a huge improvement.

 

Damn!

[BLLDWG23]

There's 1 stat in golf that matters. Scoring. Last year she averaged 72.95 shots per round. This year her average is 69.8. In a 4 round event, she's gained 12 shots as compared to last year. For someone at that level, that is a huge improvement.

 

Very True. Just think of it this way you go from Even to -12 under for a tourney. You do that you are going to be in contention in a few.

[Whiskey_fire]

I must say I'm a fan of the rear facing camera shot on her putts

[wobgon]

I know I am being negative here, but has any golfer ever got the attention Wie gets with the same amount of accomplishment? That being said, I would say her putting and ball striking have improved

[Jasonic]

Yeah, her and Spieth should listen to us and fix their swing. That'll fix 'em. :)

They both do quite well with their flawed swings.

 

She used to have a nice natural athletic swing. I can't say any of those words to describe it now! Big wiesy no more

[4waymiss]

I know I am being negative here, but has any golfer ever got the attention Wie gets with the same amount of accomplishment? That being said, I would say her putting and ball striking have improved

 

John Daly

[Shilgy]

Yeah, her and Spieth should listen to us and fix their swing. That'll fix 'em. :)

They both do quite well with their flawed swings.

 

She used to have a nice natural athletic swing. I can't say any of those words to describe it now! Big wiesy no more

While I agree with you on the aesthetics of her swing it is still quite effective.

[Raving Shanker]

I know I am being negative here, but has any golfer ever got the attention Wie gets with the same amount of accomplishment? That being said, I would say her putting and ball striking have improved

 

John Daly

Don't knock big John. He delivered to me the single biggest pay out on a bet in my life! Love that guy.

[DavePelz4]

I know I am being negative here, but has any golfer ever got the attention Wie gets with the same amount of accomplishment? That being said, I would say her putting and ball striking have improved

 

There are some interesting parallels between Wie and Spieth. Both were heralded in their teens because of their accomplishments and both showed up big time in pro events as an amateur. Expectations were high as they started their pro careers. Spieth has 10 wins, Wie 4.

 

If you looked at pure athletic/golf talent, I think Wie might be the more gifted player. If you look at pure drive, it's Spieth hands down.

 

The expectations that Wie came into professional golf with might not have been achievable. Maybe she was just a good player and not the great player we all thought hoped she would be.

[Argonne69]

I'm curious what percentage of her swing changes were driven by injury, or trying to prevent injury? 'Not making excuses, but she has been plagued by years of injuries, some small, some not so small.

 

She has obviously returned to the type of swing that served her well in 2014. It's purpose appears to be to reduce the chance of the big miss, while sacrificing some distance.

 

As for putting, it seems she has found a more or less conventional stroke that gives her enough confidence to roll it with ease. 'Same with Lexi.

[youngwaldo]

Answer to OP. YES.

 

Wk

[Bad9]

Wie's putting results seems to regress to her career norm under pressure. Same with Lexi.

[sandy]

Both seem to have found a good set up and stroke that works well for 3 rounds but the last round or under pressure generally reverts to the anemic stroke that winds up well short or 3-4 footers that rarely touch the hole. Both remain very talented golfers from tee to green but below average on the greens..

[datrain711]

It seems better right now but as with everything else she is probably 2 bad putting rounds away from changing something.

[Shilgy]

Both seem to have found a good set up and stroke that works well for 3 rounds but the last round or under pressure generally reverts to the anemic stroke that winds up well short or 3-4 footers that rarely touch the hole. Both remain very talented golfers from tee to green but below average on the greens..

And even with such awful, sorry anemic, putting they are 2nd and 11th on the money list and shooting 64's and 65's in the final round on occasion? Damn. Neither one is Inbee Park. But both are putting quite well.

[Qqq123xx]

I'd like to see her go back to her 14yo swing that was so fluid instead of that phone booth swing she has now.

[Shilgy]

I'd like to see her go back to her 14yo swing that was so fluid instead of that phone booth swing she has now.

Part of the problem with that is she is not the same build as she was at 14. Aesthetically it is not as pretty but is actually doing quite well with it. But the young Wie swing certainly was a thing of beauty.

[Qqq123xx]

I'd like to see her go back to her 14yo swing that was so fluid instead of that phone booth swing she has now.

Part of the problem with that is she is not the same build as she was at 14. Aesthetically it is not as pretty but is actually doing quite well with it. But the young Wie swing certainly was a thing of beauty.

Agree. Think she could go back though, and imo, would help cut down on injuries. She hits way to many hold shots, for accuracy sure, putting more stress on body. Dr. Q has spoken.

[Rubenc87]

Not comparing but Lydia Ko was more relaxed with no expectations on winning LPGA Tourneys. Same could be said about Michelle Wie. However things changed once they became professionals. Way more pressure on winning. But her putting has improved in part because of the rest of her game. Fairway hit makes it easier to hit greens = closer to pin = easier putt.