concepts from a great putter
 

Last week a tour player came down to my place to work on his golf swing. He made the cut at the FEDEX, but came down immediately following his last round before heading home out west.

We worked for a couple of hours on basic principles of the golfswing such as prelimenary address, hinging, and going down and out to full extension.

Before he left, I asked him some things about putting. Afterall, he is known as a great putter and he's been on tour for 20 or so years. This is what he said:



Concentrate on the "whole" ball during the stroke. Alot of us tend to watch the putterhead move back. If you do this you will not putt well.

The average putter length on tour is 34 inches.

Most of the great putters putt with their hands closer rather than farther away from their body.

Practice moving the putter at YOUR rythm. I know what mine is, make sure you know what yours is.

Aim as small as possible. Never aim at an area, aim at the smallest thing possible, like a blade of grass or the edge of an old ball mark. This way if you miss that quarter inch target you will still have a chance of hitting the 4.25 inch target.

Will have to try the "whole" ball concept as I am guilty of watching the putterhead.

The Patriot
 

"Remember boys, aim small, miss small." Mel Gibson in The Patriot

Of course he made a hole with the ball.

Thanks for the tips vj.

I think it's bunk to look at one concentrated spot on the ball too...I'm gonna try to kinda "defocus" on the whole ball....I'm also guilty of watching the putterhead from time to time....usually happens when you're unsure/anxious I think.

The tempo thing is good too.....everyone tells me my stroke is too long....I don't think it really is.....that's just the way I do it. Like David Toms type-deal.

...

I also like to pick out a small target to roll the ball over....usually about a foot away so my aiming is fool-proof.

With the tempo idea I think a metronome is invaluable. My tempo is pretty slow, I found 55 beats per minute is perfect for my stroke so I just set the metronome accordingly and work on distance control with it on the entire time. As an example, Dave Pelz says his stroke is at 70 beats per minute. Start on one beat, end of backstroke on the next beat, impact at the next beat.

Matt

I like the whole ball concept. Similar to Tennis, when I play badly, I'm watching my opponent and not the ball....

Putting Drill
 

vj

I am a fairly good putter...and I sometimes practice putting not looking at the ball but rather at the hole. It is amazing how the eyes can communicate to the hands the direction and force required. There also is no head movement when using this putting drill. I have had friends even do this for an entire round of golf.

When player's eyes begin to anticipate the hit problems can arise. Most always it is because their practice of mechanics is lacking, however, the eyes need to be calm when you putt. If looking at the hole remedies this for a while....great!

great advice
 

This is great advice. I use this in ALL shots, including putting. I would add: this intermediate target should be as close to the ball as you can get it. It's always easier to aim at a blade of grass within 6 inches of the ball, rather than at a hole that's 40 feet away.

Seemingly, the better putters aim precisely and use a close intermediate target. The worst putters aim in a general area that's too far away from the ball.

Most players don't aim well because they have never been puttter fit 2 Aim....David Edel....is the next Scotty Cameron..His fitting system is superior to all others and His artwork is as good ....if not better than the "Crown" of Putters..Mr. Cameron...

Putter Fit..

Head Design
Head Material
Hosel Shape
Offset
Impact Loft
Lie
Length
Etc...

www.edelgolf.com