Putting ***** Pulling the Trigger ****

[TundraToad]

Need some ideas on how you initiate the stroke

Hello

I am having problems pulling the trigger putting. I pick my mark and just can't seem to want to start. This does not show up on the pracitice green or on the rug at home (where I have hit 1000's of putts). Just in game situations.

Once I pick my mark I don't worry about the target so my mind isn't worried about that.

I also believe that the best way to control distance is not to let your brain get in the way. When you throw a baseball you look at the person and throw it. You don't worry about mechanics. Once I am square to my mark I look at the hole one last time, back to the ball and then putt, except I don't. When I have the "freeze" I usually have a bad backswing and then everything is a crapshoot.

What trigger do you use?

[crew_138]

some people use a forward press the take it back.

I am weird... I take a few back swings to find my 'line or direction I want to ball to start off, then just give it enough juice to roll a few inches past the cup if I miss.

[kekoa]

For me a very slight fp has been working well. Not as drastic as michelson tho.

[rockwallraider]

[quote name='kekoa' timestamp='1313547584' post='3494174']
For me a very slight fp has been working well. Not as drastic as michelson tho.
[/quote]


try tapping putter on the ground behind ball lightly, i do this when i am nervous over a putt and seems to give me a smooth takeaway

[villa]

[quote name='rockwallraider' timestamp='1313548536' post='3494246']
try tapping putter on the ground behind ball lightly, i do this when i am nervous over a putt and seems to give me a smooth takeaway
[/quote]
I'm a fellow tapper.

I address the ball, take a final look at the intended line of the putt, tap the putter 3 times behind the ball and make my stroke.

It keeps my hands nice and loose and acts as the "trigger" to my stroke.

[moonshine]

You have the right idea, but need to execute. Saw the Stockton boys on TV, less thinking and time is much better. He did forward press a tad, and used tees to break the putt into thirds when practicing. He also put a tee an inch in front of the ball and thinks only about rolling it over that spot when starting.

[grahler]

The only thing that works for me is the following in regards to distance-one tempo for all strokes longer putt? Longer stroke-same tempo.

Trigger is when I know alignment is perfect-I hover the putter and when the face lines up and I know it it's go time putting is very visual-when you know you have the line go!

Some folks use a bit of forward press that works good too just remember it should almost be imperceptible to someone watching-very tiny forwards press does work.

[grahler]

One thing that helped me with putting was to play a round and leave the putter at home-when I tried to putt with my hybrid extraneous thought left me and I was only seeking to get the ball in the hole in as few strokes as I could no matter what. I am sure it sounds dumb but I am telling you play a round with no putter if you wanna learn about putting.