Learning to putt

[texashigh10]

My putting is very inconsistent. Usually its very good, but some days I can't sink anything out of 6 feet. What methods/instructors/drills did you all learn to put with?

[Samsquanch]

The first step to putting well is thinking POSITIVELY. When you say I can't make anything outside of 6 feet you WON'T make anything outside of 6 feet. You CAN, you CAN make putts outside of 6 feet. Think that way and I bet you'll see results :)

[ezra76]

I tried the "putting arc" at an indoor practice place and I was very impressed by it.

[hoganfan924]

Just got my "optimal putting" book from Geoff Mangum on Puttingzone.com Some really brilliant stuff so far.

[texashigh10]

The first step to putting well is thinking POSITIVELY. When you say I can't make anything outside of 6 feet you WON'T make anything outside of 6 feet. You CAN, you CAN make putts outside of 6 feet. Think that way and I bet you'll see results :)

 

 

I don't think negatively at all. Quite the opposite actually, when I first started playing I was a pretty good putter and that mindset of having a good chance on making most things from within 3-15 feet.

 

I started this thread more to get opinions on good books or training aids, I'm interested in Eyeline products, would like anyone with expierence to comment on it.

[Samsquanch]

The first step to putting well is thinking POSITIVELY. When you say I can't make anything outside of 6 feet you WON'T make anything outside of 6 feet. You CAN, you CAN make putts outside of 6 feet. Think that way and I bet you'll see results :)

 

 

I don't think negatively at all. Quite the opposite actually, when I first started playing I was a pretty good putter and that mindset of having a good chance on making most things from within 3-15 feet.

 

I started this thread more to get opinions on good books or training aids, I'm interested in Eyeline products, would like anyone with expierence to comment on it.

 

 

 

Ahhh I see. Try Dave Pelz's Putting Bible. It is a great book and has A LOT of information. Well worth the money

[AcesAZ]

I think that having good tempo, good posture and a smooth stroke are very important to being an excellent putter. You mentioned Eyeline products, I have an Eyeline tempo timer which you can set to your pace so you have good tempo on any length of putt. Works well. Also practice practice practice!!!

[texashigh10]

Also wondering about Stan Utley's stuff. Have read Dave Pelz short Game Bible and thought it was extremely good in theory, didn't like his mechanics though.

[WorkingOnIt]

I have an eye line putting trainer that I won in an event, and it is a good practice aid. If you are looking to save money there are a number of practice aids that you can make for relatively cheap. You can use rubber bands on your putter in place of putting clips. You can use a CD to check your eye alignment by placing the ball in the center and putting off of it. You can make a putting arc with a metal yard stick and three tees by sticking a tee at each end of the yardstick and flexing it with one in the middle on the back side. You can attach a piece of string to two spikes or something similar and put under the string. You can also use a piece of dowel rod and stick it into the green at an angle and putt under it. Also a carpenters chalk line is useful for snapping a straight line to putt on the green. I have used all of these to practice with and they work.

 

I have the Stan Utley books and the Pelz books and I like both but prefer Stan's swing methods. Good luck!

[willamette]

Watch pros putt. It's amazing how much we talk about and analyze their full swings, but rarely speak about their putting strokes. I really enjoy watching Woods, Stricker, Justin Leonard (smooth, baby!), Badds, Mickelson. You can just see the superior putting skills built into their solid postures and smooth strokes....compare that with other pros who have constantly struggled with it and go from one putter/gimmick to the next trying to find "it" (more power to them, because many of them do very well by this). I'm thinking of Mark calc and Chris Demarco offhand. See also any pro using a putter that resembles a small spacecraft (but J.B. Holmes is cleaning up with one of those, this week!).

 

Anyways, I think a little bit of observation and imitation can go a long way here.

[SHERO]

Pick a line between your ball and target and hit the sweetspot

[BILL12x]

The best training aid I have found is to practice with a belly putter. It encourages a proper stroke and release of the putterhead.

 

I have found that my direction is a bit off with the belly, but it trains a very good stroke. My putting with a regular length putter improves dramatically after practicing with a belly putter.

[againstthegrain]

The quickest way to improve is probably let a teacher look at you putt. This way you'll get an idea of what's right and wrong quickly and you'll be able to work on those specific areas. Then you can buy or build a training aid or books if you need them to work on something specific.

[samsnead]

the speed you hit the putt is the most important element to making putts, even if you do not hit a perfect putt it can stll go in, try drills where you hit putts different distances with 3 balls and try to keep them close together

[mikpga]

How consistently do you practice? Honestly.

 

That is always my first question...

[Ridgecrest18]

My putting is very inconsistent. Usually its very good, but some days I can't sink anything out of 6 feet. What methods/instructors/drills did you all learn to put with?

 

Pick up a copy of Rotella's: Putting Out of Your Mind........ If you're usually a very good putter, this should be enough.

[hoganfan924]

I'm about 1/3 of the way through the "optimal Putting" book by Geoff Mangum. Absolultely fantastic stuff. Brilliant. There's never been a putting book like it before. Really covers all the elements to good putting including, targeting, aiming, stroke and touch. Very eye opening for me as I've already discovered a couple of reasons for my inconsistent putting in the book. Already working on them and producing results in the house. I'd recommend getting the CD's with the book as there are a series of video lessons included in the CD's.

 

He points out that there is far too much emphasis in teaching putting on stroke mechanics with very little to nothing on targeting, aiming and developing distance control. He addresses these areas.

 

I've been to a Pelz clinic and 3 day school and this guy's stuff is much better IMO.

 

Check out his website - www.puttingzone.com

 

Lot's of good stuff on the site for free if you don't have the $ to spring for a book.

[scores]

The first thing to do is to make sure you are accelerating through the golf ball yep most putts if not all are do to the fact people de-accelerate mybe you should post some film.

 

You see tons of different styles on tour... that are successful but they all accelerate through the putt ..

 

I like to just take three coins and put one where the ball is the other about two and a half inches behind the ball and the other five inches in front of the ball ... you see back two and a half thru to five inches.. I putt with my shoulders.

 

I also put a club under my arm pits while i do this and then make sure my eyes are over the by taking my putting stance putting a ball at my nose and dropping it straight down. <---ready to PUTT..

 

Hope this helps

[Machinegolfer]

I'm about 1/3 of the way through the "optimal Putting" book by Geoff Mangum. Absolultely fantastic stuff. Brilliant. There's never been a putting book like it before. Really covers all the elements to good putting including, targeting, aiming, stroke and touch. Very eye opening for me as I've already discovered a couple of reasons for my inconsistent putting in the book. Already working on them and producing results in the house. I'd recommend getting the CD's with the book as there are a series of video lessons included in the CD's.

 

He points out that there is far too much emphasis in teaching putting on stroke mechanics with very little to nothing on targeting, aiming and developing distance control. He addresses these areas.

 

I've been to a Pelz clinic and 3 day school and this guy's stuff is much better IMO.

 

Check out his website - www.puttingzone.com

 

Lot's of good stuff on the site for free if you don't have the $ to spring for a book.

 

 

So what do you think, honestly ...

[ej002]

Just "be the ball"

 

No honestly, practice. . . but Baddely has said that he does not even think about his stroke, but only about his target. He uses a sort of "be the ball" method, and it just goes there.

[hoganfan924]

I'm about 1/3 of the way through the "optimal Putting" book by Geoff Mangum. Absolultely fantastic stuff. Brilliant. There's never been a putting book like it before. Really covers all the elements to good putting including, targeting, aiming, stroke and touch. Very eye opening for me as I've already discovered a couple of reasons for my inconsistent putting in the book. Already working on them and producing results in the house. I'd recommend getting the CD's with the book as there are a series of video lessons included in the CD's.

 

He points out that there is far too much emphasis in teaching putting on stroke mechanics with very little to nothing on targeting, aiming and developing distance control. He addresses these areas.

 

I've been to a Pelz clinic and 3 day school and this guy's stuff is much better IMO.

 

Check out his website - www.puttingzone.com

 

Lot's of good stuff on the site for free if you don't have the $ to spring for a book.

 

 

So what do you think, honestly ...

 

Well, let me tell 'ya! ;)

 

So last night I'm messing around on my 12' Big Moss practice green hitting straight 10 footers. Working on the throat line deal, the eye deal and trying to rock the shoulders purely up & down, letting gravity take over & such. I make the first 16, miss one dead center but 1 inch short. Make 10 more in a row, miss another 1 inch short and make 4 more then stop. So I made 30 of 32 straight 10 footers. That's all I need to know about it! Too bad his website is so messy.

 

Thanks for the heads up on this BTW! Geoff Mangum was kind enough to inscribe the book as well which was a nice touch.

[Machinegolfer]

I'm about 1/3 of the way through the "optimal Putting" book by Geoff Mangum. Absolultely fantastic stuff. Brilliant. There's never been a putting book like it before. Really covers all the elements to good putting including, targeting, aiming, stroke and touch. Very eye opening for me as I've already discovered a couple of reasons for my inconsistent putting in the book. Already working on them and producing results in the house. I'd recommend getting the CD's with the book as there are a series of video lessons included in the CD's.

 

He points out that there is far too much emphasis in teaching putting on stroke mechanics with very little to nothing on targeting, aiming and developing distance control. He addresses these areas.

 

I've been to a Pelz clinic and 3 day school and this guy's stuff is much better IMO.

 

Check out his website - www.puttingzone.com

 

Lot's of good stuff on the site for free if you don't have the $ to spring for a book.

 

 

So what do you think, honestly ;) ...

 

Well, let me tell 'ya! :D

 

So last night I'm messing around on my 12' Big Moss practice green hitting straight 10 footers. Working on the throat line deal, the eye deal and trying to rock the shoulders purely up & down, letting gravity take over & such. I make the first 16, miss one dead center but 1 inch short. Make 10 more in a row, miss another 1 inch short and make 4 more then stop. So I made 30 of 32 straight 10 footers. That's all I need to know about it! Too bad his website is so messy.

 

Thanks for the heads up on this BTW! Geoff Mangum was kind enough to inscribe the book as well which was a nice touch.

 

yep Geoff gave me a book down at the show with a small tribute to Boston in the back ... great stuff... he's coming to visit next week...get to ask some questions!!

[slicefixer]

I'm about 1/3 of the way through the "optimal Putting" book by Geoff Mangum. Absolultely fantastic stuff. Brilliant. There's never been a putting book like it before. Really covers all the elements to good putting including, targeting, aiming, stroke and touch. Very eye opening for me as I've already discovered a couple of reasons for my inconsistent putting in the book. Already working on them and producing results in the house. I'd recommend getting the CD's with the book as there are a series of video lessons included in the CD's.

 

He points out that there is far too much emphasis in teaching putting on stroke mechanics with very little to nothing on targeting, aiming and developing distance control. He addresses these areas.

 

I've been to a Pelz clinic and 3 day school and this guy's stuff is much better IMO.

 

Check out his website - www.puttingzone.com

 

Lot's of good stuff on the site for free if you don't have the $ to spring for a book.

 

 

So what do you think, honestly ...

 

Well, let me tell 'ya! ;)

 

So last night I'm messing around on my 12' Big Moss practice green hitting straight 10 footers. Working on the throat line deal, the eye deal and trying to rock the shoulders purely up & down, letting gravity take over & such. I make the first 16, miss one dead center but 1 inch short. Make 10 more in a row, miss another 1 inch short and make 4 more then stop. So I made 30 of 32 straight 10 footers. That's all I need to know about it! Too bad his website is so messy.

 

Thanks for the heads up on this BTW! Geoff Mangum was kind enough to inscribe the book as well which was a nice touch.

 

You wanna' know how to make putts...........find a stroke that allows you to strike the ball in the EXACT same spot every single time (then you can develop a sense of "feel")........adjust this stroke until you can "hit" the line you see in your mind EVERY single time and ROLL the bloody ball (the putter MUST "fit" YOUR stroke).........LEARN to read a green properly........determine YOUR line.......the line that compliments the speed YOU "feel" is optimum for YOUR stroke.........and START the ball on YOUR line.......the "line in your mind"......and KEEP YOUR BLOODY NOGGIN' STILL.......:D..........if you do the above you'll make your share of putts.......:D

 

As for Mangum's putting book, HF told me that it's GREAT so I know it's a good un'..........

[spider]

I'm about 1/3 of the way through the "optimal Putting" book by Geoff Mangum. Absolultely fantastic stuff. Brilliant. There's never been a putting book like it before. Really covers all the elements to good putting including, targeting, aiming, stroke and touch. Very eye opening for me as I've already discovered a couple of reasons for my inconsistent putting in the book. Already working on them and producing results in the house. I'd recommend getting the CD's with the book as there are a series of video lessons included in the CD's.

 

He points out that there is far too much emphasis in teaching putting on stroke mechanics with very little to nothing on targeting, aiming and developing distance control. He addresses these areas.

 

I've been to a Pelz clinic and 3 day school and this guy's stuff is much better IMO.

 

Check out his website - www.puttingzone.com

 

Lot's of good stuff on the site for free if you don't have the $ to spring for a book.

 

 

So what do you think, honestly ...

 

Well, let me tell 'ya! :D

 

So last night I'm messing around on my 12' Big Moss practice green hitting straight 10 footers. Working on the throat line deal, the eye deal and trying to rock the shoulders purely up & down, letting gravity take over & such. I make the first 16, miss one dead center but 1 inch short. Make 10 more in a row, miss another 1 inch short and make 4 more then stop. So I made 30 of 32 straight 10 footers. That's all I need to know about it! Too bad his website is so messy.

 

Thanks for the heads up on this BTW! Geoff Mangum was kind enough to inscribe the book as well which was a nice touch.

 

That website makes my head spin. I tried to figure out find some sort of pattern that was logical to someone like me... that isn't a mad scientist. Finally gave up. He needs someone else to manage his ideas on the website.

 

Is the book written in the same chaos theory ? ;)

[Machinegolfer]

I'm about 1/3 of the way through the "optimal Putting" book by Geoff Mangum. Absolultely fantastic stuff. Brilliant. There's never been a putting book like it before. Really covers all the elements to good putting including, targeting, aiming, stroke and touch. Very eye opening for me as I've already discovered a couple of reasons for my inconsistent putting in the book. Already working on them and producing results in the house. I'd recommend getting the CD's with the book as there are a series of video lessons included in the CD's.

 

He points out that there is far too much emphasis in teaching putting on stroke mechanics with very little to nothing on targeting, aiming and developing distance control. He addresses these areas.

 

I've been to a Pelz clinic and 3 day school and this guy's stuff is much better IMO.

 

Check out his website - www.puttingzone.com

 

Lot's of good stuff on the site for free if you don't have the $ to spring for a book.

 

 

So what do you think, honestly ...

 

Well, let me tell 'ya! ;)

 

So last night I'm messing around on my 12' Big Moss practice green hitting straight 10 footers. Working on the throat line deal, the eye deal and trying to rock the shoulders purely up & down, letting gravity take over & such. I make the first 16, miss one dead center but 1 inch short. Make 10 more in a row, miss another 1 inch short and make 4 more then stop. So I made 30 of 32 straight 10 footers. That's all I need to know about it! Too bad his website is so messy.

 

Thanks for the heads up on this BTW! Geoff Mangum was kind enough to inscribe the book as well which was a nice touch.

 

You wanna' know how to make putts...........find a stroke that allows you to strike the ball in the EXACT same spot every single time (then you can develop a sense of "feel")........adjust this stroke until you can "hit" the line you see in your mind EVERY single time and ROLL the bloody ball (the putter MUST "fit" YOUR stroke).........LEARN to read a green properly........determine YOUR line.......the line that compliments the speed YOU "feel" is optimum for YOUR stroke.........and START the ball on YOUR line.......the "line in your mind"......and KEEP YOUR BLOODY NOGGIN' STILL....... :D ..........if you do the above you'll make your share of putts....... :D

 

As for Mangum's putting book, HF told me that it's GREAT so I know it's a good un'..........

 

Some really great putting research going on at Hump University, some video should be coming out soon...

[Machinegolfer]

I'm about 1/3 of the way through the "optimal Putting" book by Geoff Mangum. Absolultely fantastic stuff. Brilliant. There's never been a putting book like it before. Really covers all the elements to good putting including, targeting, aiming, stroke and touch. Very eye opening for me as I've already discovered a couple of reasons for my inconsistent putting in the book. Already working on them and producing results in the house. I'd recommend getting the CD's with the book as there are a series of video lessons included in the CD's.

 

He points out that there is far too much emphasis in teaching putting on stroke mechanics with very little to nothing on targeting, aiming and developing distance control. He addresses these areas.

 

I've been to a Pelz clinic and 3 day school and this guy's stuff is much better IMO.

 

Check out his website - www.puttingzone.com

 

Lot's of good stuff on the site for free if you don't have the $ to spring for a book.

 

 

So what do you think, honestly ...

 

Well, let me tell 'ya! :D

 

So last night I'm messing around on my 12' Big Moss practice green hitting straight 10 footers. Working on the throat line deal, the eye deal and trying to rock the shoulders purely up & down, letting gravity take over & such. I make the first 16, miss one dead center but 1 inch short. Make 10 more in a row, miss another 1 inch short and make 4 more then stop. So I made 30 of 32 straight 10 footers. That's all I need to know about it! Too bad his website is so messy.

 

Thanks for the heads up on this BTW! Geoff Mangum was kind enough to inscribe the book as well which was a nice touch.

 

That website makes my head spin. I tried to figure out find some sort of pattern that was logical to someone like me... that isn't a mad scientist. Finally gave up. He needs someone else to manage his ideas on the website.

 

Is the book written in the same chaos theory ? :D

 

 

It's more technical if thats what you mean. but NECESSARY...i hold it in the same regards with TGM for putting...BUT it ain't all in there either ;) ...this i know for a FACT

[spider]

I'm about 1/3 of the way through the "optimal Putting" book by Geoff Mangum. Absolultely fantastic stuff. Brilliant. There's never been a putting book like it before. Really covers all the elements to good putting including, targeting, aiming, stroke and touch. Very eye opening for me as I've already discovered a couple of reasons for my inconsistent putting in the book. Already working on them and producing results in the house. I'd recommend getting the CD's with the book as there are a series of video lessons included in the CD's.

 

He points out that there is far too much emphasis in teaching putting on stroke mechanics with very little to nothing on targeting, aiming and developing distance control. He addresses these areas.

 

I've been to a Pelz clinic and 3 day school and this guy's stuff is much better IMO.

 

Check out his website - www.puttingzone.com

 

Lot's of good stuff on the site for free if you don't have the $ to spring for a book.

 

 

So what do you think, honestly ...

 

Well, let me tell 'ya! :D

 

So last night I'm messing around on my 12' Big Moss practice green hitting straight 10 footers. Working on the throat line deal, the eye deal and trying to rock the shoulders purely up & down, letting gravity take over & such. I make the first 16, miss one dead center but 1 inch short. Make 10 more in a row, miss another 1 inch short and make 4 more then stop. So I made 30 of 32 straight 10 footers. That's all I need to know about it! Too bad his website is so messy.

 

Thanks for the heads up on this BTW! Geoff Mangum was kind enough to inscribe the book as well which was a nice touch.

 

That website makes my head spin. I tried to figure out find some sort of pattern that was logical to someone like me... that isn't a mad scientist. Finally gave up. He needs someone else to manage his ideas on the website.

 

Is the book written in the same chaos theory ? :D

 

 

It's more technical if thats what you mean. but NECESSARY...i hold it in the same regards with TGM for putting...BUT it ain't all in there either ;) ...this i know for a FACT

 

Technical is just fine... it should be. Well organized the site is not. Just wondered if the book was better organized. :D

[Machinegolfer]

I think so, hoganfan?

[Swingtheclub]

as I get older I believe a few common principals make great putters

 

steady head that stays down thru the stroke

 

soft hands or grip pressure

 

 

don't over read the green

 

honestly when you practice note how many times your putt starts on line

 

Outside of five feet a huge percentage of putts are missed because of a misread.

[Machinegolfer]

as I get older I believe a few common principals make great putters

 

steady head that stays down thru the stroke

 

soft hands or grip pressure

 

 

don't over read the green

 

honestly when you practice note how many times your putt starts on line

 

Outside of five feet a huge percentage of greens are missed because of a misread.

 

 

And don't take this the wrong way please, in all sincerity...but this is why people struggle with the game of golf...ignorance, and not because people are dumb, but they just don't know any better... I want to see more people enjoy the game and HELP people play better golf...ya gotta know what the deal is