Brian Gay: Putting methods
 

Brian has the reputation as being one of the best putters on tour. Any insight on what he works on?

It appears he uses a line on his ball to line up his direction.

On the show "The Golf Fix"

Brian said he works on "sticking his finish on every putt"

Sorting Through The Duffer's Bible
B-Ray

The Master's Putting Stroke
 

From the Address Position shown in these photos (which I took at the '07 Honda), Brian Gay simply makes a Paw Minor Basic Stroke. That is, his Arms are bent and frozen (Power Package zeroed-out), and his Stroke is a 'rocking' shoulders (body-only) motion imparting Angled Hinging (10-3-H). Note the Arm alignments (both Forearms On Plane), and also the Grip: Reverse Overlap with Left Hand Rolled; Right Hand Turned; and #3 Accumulator Zeroed.

I took more photos yesterday, the day before the 2009 U.S. Open, and BG's Stroke and Address position (including Centered Head, Grip, Ball Location, Hands Location, zero Shaft Lean and slightly Open Stance) haven't changed a bit. I'd post them now, but unfortunately, I left my download gear at home. I'll put'em up next week.

For now, enjoy . . . and learn!

:golfcart2:

Fun to see that besides the rail, he uses aids from Sweden.

http://esotericgolf.com/

"Reverse Overlap with Left Hand Rolled; Right Hand Turned; and #3 Accumulator Zeroed."

Can you provide a little more detail on the above? He also looks like he barely grips the club

Boss of the Moss
 

Actually, BG doesn't use these aids. It is normal for vendors of all sorts to surround the putting green at each PGA TOUR event, hoping to get players interested in using their products and to secure their endorsement. Such was the case here.

Brian hit six putts (from six feet) that rolled down the 'rail' and then the remaining three feet to the bottom of the hole. Whereupon followed this exchange:

Vendor (clearly awed): I've been out here all day, and nobody's done that.

BG: Smiles, but says nothing, turns and begins lagging 20-footers.

Yoda: Well, there ya go!

:laughing9

Putting Pointers
 

Thought my text description plus the photos pretty well said it all, bgolfing. What specifically are you looking for?

:think:

By the Book
 

Reverse Overlap (10-1-C)
Left Hand Rolled (4-C-3 as a position)
Right Hand Turned (4-C-2 as a position)
Accumulator Zeroed (6-B-3-B)

Sorry, I am not versed in the book.

Buy the Book
 

B,

Your experience will be that much more enjoyable if you have the book and can reference what is discussed on this forum. At first, it will seem like a jigsaw puzzle, but once you start to understand where the pieces go, the puzzle turns into a beautiful picture.

Reverse Overlap: first finger(s) of the Left Hand overlap last fingers of the Right Hand.
Rolled-rotated to the left
Turned-rotated to the right
#3 zeroed out-angle between the clubshaft and Left Hand (arm) is zero or both are in line.

Which makes me wonder what it looks like to you, Drewit?

For some reason I see a sort of 1920's mechanical , perpetual motion machine, with a flywheel, gears, belts, levers. It doesnt hit a ball and stop but keeps on going around and around with new balls running down a chute and being tee'd up automatically. It spins at a fast pace in balance like a gyro and runs like a clockwork. The brass balls on the ends of the flywheel are planets. All in a factory setting.

Have I got the wrong puzzle? Am I insane? Who was Mike O and what have you done to him? Did he know too much?

What are the benefits of this grip versus say one advocated by Stan Utley?

Utley reccomends a slightly stronger left hand position. His grip encourages a slight rotation of the clubface closing. Brian Gay's stroke is technically as perfect as they come. His grip position guarantees consistent distance as the motion is caused by rocking the shoulders. I used Brian's stroke as a model the last few times I have played and my putting has been tremendous. With his stroke, all he needs to concern himself with is distance. Easy way to putt.

The Simple Life
 

Totally agree on all points.

Remember, though, Brian's Shoulder Stroke allows -- in fact, produces -- a natural Clubface rotation (Angled Hinging) through Impact.

:salut:

For those interested, there is a lot of gooooood footage of Brians putting and shortgame in the clips from last years PGA Championship that can be found in the gallery.

Maestro Yoda had the batteries charged and ready ;) during the practice round where BG made with the dane Soren Kjeldsen. A lot of goodies, folks.

I hope something similar could happen with the coming trip to Europe. Would be interesting to see and hear the changes for adapting to links golf.

Big misconception is that a shoulder powered stroke does not close the face. It just does not need to close as much as one with rotation ala Utley's method, which involves no shoulder rocking. Watch Gay, Baddely, and Tiger. Same basic stroke. Compare distance control with someone like Mickelson. I love the look of the Utley stroke, it just is not as effective for me.

no shaft lean
 

Yoda, I noticed that you mentioned that Brian has no shaft lean in his putting stroke. I have also heard that Bettinardi putters can have very low lofts, is this the reason for this? My Yes! is an answer style with 2.5 degrees loft on it, do you think that is too much loft to not have a forward press? As always thank you sir, enjoy the British

Have these been put up? I really would like to see this..... its snowing even more now and I have time to train some putting.

let me guess?
 

Did BG ever explain exactly how his putting stroke is configured? I have used a very similar grip for Many, many years. my stance is different because I am left eye dominant and like to keep my eye just behind the ball. So I set up just with the ball under and about 2" ahead of my left eye. Then I fold my right knee in (kind of a half Arnie) and drop right shoulder slightly ti get a vertical shaft. The only problem it can create fo me is low point is still center so I lift slightly at address, maybe 1/4 in. You may ask how I test this- well I I practice by setting up with a ball held in my lips and I drop it. it should land about 2 1/2 inside and 3 behind ball. I do this drill in my LR many time. Also I set my line with the blade in front of the ball then I lift vertical and over the ball and sole then relift behind ball. So back to grip. My hands are clamps and I rock my shoulders so, in fact I have no true pressure points. The little secret is that if anything I am pulling my hands apart. Yes, that keeps MY hand clamp assembly from wiggling off line and lets it go straight back, accelerate through the blade stay very straight. Read it right and get the distance right then clunk! Maybe BG does some of this funny stuff because putting is a very different game.

HB

In post # 4 you have a tgm decription of his putting motion.

OK- post #4 is sufficient - point being?

Oh by the way I recall learning about this grip ( with separation pressures)as being originated by Paul Runyan back in the early 60's when he was working with Phil Rogers out in the LaJolla area. Not directly but in conversation with another local pro who associated with PR That is why I mentioned it.

HB

You wrote this and I directed you to where Yoda answered in post #4 on this thread his mechanics.

Sorry if I misunderstood you.