Made the Trip to The Creek

Hstead · December 21, 2009

Spent 5 Hours with David Orr - Review

Well, after reading several reviews on this site, first about SAM Putt Labs and then stumbled upon info on David Orr, I decided to make the six hour trip to Buies Creek and get a putting lesson from David and an analysis with the SAM.

I really thought the SAM was going to be the main focus and would be the tool that I would learn the most from. Well, the SAM was good and I did learn from it, and it helped David change my stroke. But, the SAM was not at all the "main" thing that I learned. I can see how if someone were to just get the SAM analysis, they would know what they are doing, but they would not really know what it means or how to change it. I figured that David was going to use the SAM to change this and change that, which he did use as a tool, but mostly he watched me putt and taught me how to putt better.

I could have learned just as much without the SAM about becoming a better putter. I think the SAM actually helped Daivd more than me, since he could hone in on what he wanted to adjust in my stroke. That is not a knock on the SAM, but a compliment to David's philosophy. I appreciated the SAM for what it is worth and am glad that I was able to use it, however, the more important things I learned were from Daivd and not the SAM.

David focuses on 4 fundamentals, and they are more so skills than fundamentals such as ball position, grip, etc. The skills are read, speed, aim, and stroke for the most part. He taught me things that I have never read or seen on TV, and I have read a TON on putting. He has new stuff, mostly from research, and from other teachers that he is quick to credit. He basically reaffirmed some of the things I already knew, which is that I putt much better when I am thinking about the target and not mechanics, but he taught me how to do that much better with better methods. I also learned a TON about how to read the GREEN. Before, I read the putt and not the GREEN. Some days I would feel like "I just do not see the line good today". I think those days are going to be gone now that I understand much better how to find the fall line and how putts break accordingly after finding the planes, saddles, and crowns in a green.

I can't wait to start practicing the reading and delivery speed methods. He taught me how to coach myself much better. I actually understand why I am doing things and how to change things on the course. He did change my setup and I also bought an Edel that I can't wait to get.

In summary, it was well worth the drive and the money. I may write another review in a month or so after I have practiced more and have the Edel. I have much more confidence that I am going to lower my putts per round. I feel like 3 putts will be few and far between. The short putts, 3-5 feet feel 10 times easier after learning how to deliver the ball and read the correct amount of break. I am certain David is going to become more and more popular among tour players and caddies. These methods of learning dynamic touch fundamentals vs. the old grip, posture, eyes over the ball, head still etc are the way a player should learn to putt. I will be teaching my 8 year old these methods and I hope he never falls into the MECHANICAL trap that I faltered in for years.

Thanks DAVID.

rockwallraider · December 22, 2009

great write up, have wanted to make that trip for years.

benk7266 · December 22, 2009

Very funny that you wrote this.......I just stumbled upon David Orr and Edel putters yesterday. I never heard of either and was considering flying out to Dallas to spend some time with Machine. I'm living part time in Fayetteville so David is only about an hour away I believe so I guess it's something I can't pass up. I teach and play golf for a living and spend most of my time working on putting for both teaching and playing so I can't wait to learn from Mr. Orr.

Hstead · December 22, 2009

[quote name='benk7266' post='2138210' date='Dec 22 2009, 12:48 AM']Very funny that you wrote this.......I just stumbled upon David Orr and Edel putters yesterday. I never heard of either and was considering flying out to Dallas to spend some time with Machine. I'm living part time in Fayetteville so David is only about an hour away I believe so I guess it's something I can't pass up. I teach and play golf for a living and spend most of my time working on putting for both teaching and playing so I can't wait to learn from Mr. Orr.[/quote]

David had me bring every putter that I owned and we measured each one for aim. We found an old putter that I actually aimed pretty good. I didn't like the look of it though. It was kind of my idea to get the Edel. David didn't push it on me on anything like that. I wanted a putter that I aimed well, which I had in my hand that I played with ten years ago, but I also wanted one that I liked to look at and was easier to aim, and that was where the Edel came in. I can't wait to get it.

If you teach and play for a living, Orr has some good stuff for you. I believe the better the player you are, the more he can probably help. I am sure he can help a high handicapper a TON, but his info that he has learned from his research can help Tour players too. He does not have a cookie-cutter, "here's how you should stroke it" type method al la Pelz and Utley. He teaches you how to get out of your way and become a putter, and become a coach for yourself, understanding PUTTING, READING, and TOUCH vs. grip, mechanical thoughts etc.

One of the reasons I went to him was after reading some of his stuff, I immediately knew this was the stuff I wanted to learn about because when I was a good putter, or when I was "on" I was target oriented and not "stroke" oriented.