Pulling putts

[kevkiy82]

What should I do??

My usual miss is pulling short/medium putts. I use a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 with the standard grip. I am not sure if I should get a new putter with less offset and a little more toe hang, or even getting a Scotty California Del Mar. Or I noticed when I try putters with a little bigger grip I stroke it a little more consistant. Is it mental?? Don't get me wrong my stroke is not horrible, but I would like to make a few more birdies and pars. Thank you.

[highergr0und]

Aim right....

Are you a left or right hand dominate putter? I'm right dominant in my stroke and sometimes my grip will come too much over the top and I'll start pulling. Definitely watch the grip... the larger grips may be forcing your hands into a "proper" position.

[kevkiy82]

I am right hand dominate and I think I do the same thing as you. That is why I was wondering if just a simple larger grip will help take the right hand out a little bit.

[weaver93]

Do you think playing the ball back a hair in your stance would help? If you are closing the putter face that might help some.

[kevkiy82]

Good call on moving the ball back in the stance. I always forget to check that. Especially with the offset on the putter and I forward press a little. I have to try that. Thank you.

[Rockfish]

[quote name='kevkiy82' date='30 April 2010 - 06:03 PM' timestamp='1272665012' post='2410737']
Good call on moving the ball back in the stance. I always forget to check that. Especially with the offset on the putter and I forward press a little. I have to try that. Thank you.


[/quote]

From what I've observed the majority of short putts missed are "pulls" (myself included - even on Tour).

*I* believe this is because of a lack of acceleration or even deceleration. During a longer putt one naturally accelerates through to the hole very nicely keeping the blade square through impact (and beyond).

On shorter putts where speed isn't (always) as critical we sometimes "hit" the ball rather than accelerate through it. That "hit" sometimes decelerates and "decels" become "pulls" as the face generally CLOSES on "decel".

My last conscious thought before I pull the trigger is "through to the target".

Just my observation(s).

[benclab]

First, check your alignment. I used to teach and I caddy and hardly anyone is lined up right. If you're still pulling them, either get a bigger grip on your putter or move it back a touch or force yourself to leave the face square to it's intended line. Rockfish gave some good advice btw. Also, just aiming right is going to throw you off and it's band aid golf. Don't play band aid golf. Fix it and do it right.

[PuttingDoctor]

Without seeing your stroke it's hard to actually make the best recommendations but the advise above is good. However I would change ball position last. Your putter likely has the standard 4 degrees of loft and even with your forward press you may be launching the ball with back spin. Moving the ball back will diminish rise and increase your loft at impact.

On those distances that you pull think, "take the face to the target" and hold your finish. After a 3 count check the face angle relative to the putt direction.

[Mainlinegolfer]

With me, for full shots as well as putts, I tend to pull them when I turn (rather than just swiveling my head) to look at the shot/putt/hole and thereby raise my body a little. When I don't keep my head down, I end up twisting my body, raising my left shoulder, and pulling the shot/putt left. Almost all my missed putts are pulled.

FWIW, I also used a Cameron Newport 2 and switched to a Rife Barbados. Part of the reason for changing putters was to try a one with less offset. We'll see; I also fight the yips.

Alignment is an issue when I aim right and "need" to pull it back toward the hole. Also, sometimes it's simply a poor stroke -- outside to in.

You can tell, I feel your pain, but the solution might be one of the above.

[HammerTM24]

I went to a Larger Size Winn grip and it takes my hands out of the equation. Don't seem tot pull nearly as many putts.....

[blahooo]

Like in full shots, the pull results only from jitting the outside of the ball. In an attempt to hit the center of the ball, many people actually throw the hands out slightly and get over the outside edge of the ball. Try to hit the inside portion of the golf ball and you'll get a dramatic feel change of path. Then you can release the putter, a problem many amateurs have. Basically, try to hit a push hook with the putter. It sounds crazy, but try it!

[sleepy]

I have the same problem with the short putts. I get right-handsy on the short ones...thinking about trying a Winn oversize or Iomic large the next time I go to the golf shop.

[ryandb1]

When I pull putts it is because I think I am going straight back which in reality is above the plane. Try taking the putter inside. If this is difficult, try changing your right-hand grip.

[Snowgod]

I have putters with a Tigershark Jumbo Lite grip, A Superstroke Lite grip and 2-Thumb grip. All allow me to relax my grip pressure. After practicing almost exclusively with oversized grips, I find my putting much better when I use a standard grip.

[zripp3]

My usual miss is a pull and then I got "fitted" for my putter. Found that I wasn't creating a flat enough plane from my forearm to hand (essentially, my wrist was too bent in my stroke). Started "rotating" the wrists out - hard to describe in writing - and taking the putter back more to the inside and saw marked improvement. Also, I'll second the above post who recommended to feel as if you're hitting a push hook. I like to think I'm putting some draw spin on it and it works great.