Putting/Chipping Proximity Aid (DIY solution)

[SE Gamer]

Wasn't really sure what forum to put this in. Thought about the Junior/College section. As this little project was born out of wanting to help my kiddo get ready for the second round of Drive, Chip, and Putt (DCP) qualifiers. But the application/use of these aids could be relevant to any golfer. So why not throw it in the General section.

 

As mentioned, this was prompted by wanting to help my son when practicing to visualize proximity to the hole. Giving him a way of clearly being able to know and track his performance. I know that there are some OEM type rings you can buy. But the sizes are limited, and a decent set is pricey. Thought of a couple different ways I might come up with a DIY solution. With the goal being something that'd be easy to set up and break down.

 

Initially tested cutting some circles out of a white shower curtain liner. Sort of worked, but they were a little too flimsy to hold a decent shape. I've previously designed and 3d printed some "cups" for my putting turf. So I figured, why not just do that, but on a much larger scale. Given the size, I knew they'd need to be printed in segments. But I ended up turning that into an advantage.

 

Might do some iterating, but this is what I've got so far. Currently have circles for 1', 2', 3', 4', and 6'. Not sure how large will be too large. But my hope is that I can also make an 8 and 12 footer. Construction couldn't be more simple. Roughly 10" segments, joined by a few wraps of tape at each connection. Each segment is 1/8" wide and only .03" thick. Making it so that there's no real impact on the roll as a ball crosses over it.

As you can see below, I left a slight gap when taping the segments together. As this allows me to fold/collapse the circles when not in use or for transporting.



Since all I have is black filament, I then hit them with some white spray paint...

 

And here they are in use on my putting turf. The center "hole" is one of the cups that I designed and printed. Which are designed to be a little bit reactive. But as you can see, the proximity ring has basically zero impact on the roll. Super happy with how the rings turned out, and really eager to see if it can be successfully scaled to 12 feet.

 

 

 

 

 

[Hawkeye77]

If it helps him then it's a win.

 

Any time I've tried to think about getting within that six foot circle or whatever the circle de jour of the magazine was that month, I'd end up putting or chipping to the circle more than I did the hole.  It's something I gave up in high school.  I'm not understanding "visualizing proximity" - what's the purpose? I'd think visualizing landing spot or getting a feel for the shot by looking at the target or both would be more of a thought and learning by sight/feel/practice vs. knowing whether a chip is one or two or seven feet away when it finishes, if that makes sense. It seems like trying to recreate the superimposed for tv circles on the chipping green at Augusta National for the competition that are there just as reference points for the viewer.  

 

Not criticizing, just trying to understand the notion. 

[SE Gamer]

4 hours ago, Hawkeye77 said:

If it helps him then it's a win.

 

Any time I've tried to think about getting within that six foot circle or whatever the circle de jour of the magazine was that month, I'd end up putting or chipping to the circle more than I did the hole.  It's something I gave up in high school.  I'm not understanding "visualizing proximity" - what's the purpose? I'd think visualizing landing spot or getting a feel for the shot by looking at the target or both would be more of a thought and learning by sight/feel/practice vs. knowing whether a chip is one or two or seven feet away when it finishes, if that makes sense. It seems like trying to recreate the superimposed for tv circles on the chipping green at Augusta National for the competition that are there just as reference points for the viewer.  

 

Not criticizing, just trying to understand the notion. 

No worries. Mainly trying to get him to understand that it's not an "all or nothing". And that a good chip (point wise) doesn't mean that it needs to finish right next to the hole. While also working on speed control (primarily putting). It also provides him with a way to track progress. Has honestly made a massive difference with putting on the turf at home in just a couple days. 

It's not about him trying to aim for a larger circle. Instead about seeing the immediate result, and correlating that to feel when executing the actual shot. 

ETA: And part of it I think is mental too. In that it provides some structure to the practice. He's only 8 and tends to just rush through everything. Intentional or not, using the proximity circles has resulted in him being more intentional/contemplative with each putt/chip. If that makes sense.

Edited July 25 by SE Gamer

[Hawkeye77]

1 hour ago, SE Gamer said:

No worries. Mainly trying to get him to understand that it's not an "all or nothing". And that a good chip (point wise) doesn't mean that it needs to finish right next to the hole. While also working on speed control (primarily putting). It also provides him with a way to track progress. Has honestly made a massive difference with putting on the turf at home in just a couple days. 

It's not about him trying to aim for a larger circle. Instead about seeing the immediate result, and correlating that to feel when executing the actual shot. 

ETA: And part of it I think is mental too. In that it provides some structure to the practice. He's only 8 and tends to just rush through everything. Intentional or not, using the proximity circles has resulted in him being more intentional/contemplative with each putt/chip. If that makes sense.

 

Makes sense to me, especially given his age, but it's only the two of you needed to make it work.  I can act like an 8 year old but no idea how to think like one these days.

 

It's my favorite event of Masters week - I've got a daughter that wishes it was a "thing" when she was young.  Hope he has success this year and in the coming years if he sticks with golf.

[SE Gamer]

7 minutes ago, Hawkeye77 said:

 

Makes sense to me, especially given his age, but it's only the two of you needed to make it work.  I can act like an 8 year old but no idea how to think like one these days.

 

It's my favorite event of Masters week - I've got a daughter that wishes it was a "thing" when she was young.  Hope he has success this year and in the coming years if he sticks with golf.

100%. Just kind of have to figure out what works for your kids. Nice mix of failures and successes along the way, lol. 

It really is a bummer that the Augusta final wasn't a thing until more recent history. It's his first year competing. Even making it to the second round is already a great accomplishment. Considering he doesn't practice/play even remotely as much as he could.

 

He has a good bit of raw talent. But I don't want to push him too hard at this age and end up having him hate it. Instead am just trying to find ways for him to organically, "catch the bug". Just bought him a new driver thanks to some recommendations here. Titleist TS1 (12.5 turned up to 14), with a Fuji Air Speeder (cut to 36.5").

 

His old driver was marketed as a junior club made by Tour Edge. But he always said it was heavy. Finally threw it on my postal scale and he wasn't kidding. Weighed nearly as much as my own driver. The new one cut around 70 grams in weight and he swings it so much better. And it's definitely lit a little spark in him seeing such immediate improvements in distance and consistency.