Serious putting problems. PLEASE HELP

[g8a_golf]

So I've been putting horribly since probably last September. I was never a great putter but I've had my stretches. I got a long putter only to sell it a couple months later due to awkwardness. I push EVERYTHING but hit probably 90% of my putts solid.

 

I've done a lot of research and I am the exception to every rule apparently. I have a 34 inch TaylorMade TP Kia Ma Fontana which (for those who don't know) is a face balanced heel shafted goose-neck smaller mallet style putter which is also a little too upright for me. Every thread, article and person I ask says to get a face balanced model, bend it upright or change my stroke and i should be all set I am extremely comfortable with my stroke and have been for a long time and am not going to change it. I need a change of scenery...

 

I have more of an arc to my stroke but my happy marriage with this putter seems to be over. I am desperate to hear what style putter I should try and will explore all options as long as its not a belly or long putter.

 

To recap:

 

pushing everything

face balanced putter

arced stroke

not changing stroke

 

Thank you guys!

 

Someone give me a few suggestions please!

[rjp322]

Face balanced putters are for SBST supposedly. Some people can putt the same with whatever but that is what face balanced is for. Id suggest something with a plumbers neck and some toe hang and not too heavy so you can make sure to get the face square at impact.

[g8a_golf]

Kinda funny you should say that. I had a good stretch putting with a PING Zing heel shafted a few years ago which was pretty light.

Thanks for the reply, bud!

[jas904]

Use a putter with toe hang. Buy the book "The Art of Putting" by Stan Utley. Read the book multiple times and incorporate what he says. This shall take you to your happy place on the greens.

[DaBigSaus]

[quote name='jas904' timestamp='1368122903' post='7000438']
Use a putter with toe hang. Buy the book "The Art of Putting" by Stan Utley. Read the book multiple times and incorporate what he says. This shall take you to your happy place on the greens.
[/quote]

I second that. Great book. Plus I picked up a putting arc and use that for like a half hour every other day and that helps a ton to.

[g8a_golf]

I dont mean to throw out your suggestions guys, but I have an attention span that lasts about 5 minutes when reading. I have zero comprehension... No book reading for me. Hell, I can barely read half page articles in Golf Digest lol

Thanks though, fellas!

[rjp322]

Some people say eye dominance has a good effect on the type of putter you use. Are you right eye dominant?

[chickenpotpie]

First off, erase from your mind anything related to "a certain stroke type needs a certain type of putter." Rubbish. I have a SBST stroke, but putt best with plumbers necks.

Second, get to a store and try out a dozen different styles/necks. Narrow it down to a couple that look good to you and that you actually hit straight. Hopefully, through this exercise you find some key feature that is key to your putting.

If I had to guess, I'd bet alignment is part of your problem. You might try one of the Versa putters (without any sightline) to see how you do. Try a couple different styles/necks, not just the double bend types.

Good luck!

[TheOrange2002]

I will bet that alignment is a big issue with your putting.

5 minute attention span? Read Dave Stockton's book "Unconscious Putting" ... seriously, there is really only about 20 pages of needed information.

Read the section on alignment, pre-shot routine and the stroke.

I make more putts now, have better misses and I rarely practice putting and when I do, it is no more than 5 minutes at a time.

[3eagles18]

If you are pushing, I'll bet the house that you are sneaking a peek and the face is opening. Practice 3 and 4 footers with your eyes closed.

[g8a_golf]

[quote name='rjp322' timestamp='1368125412' post='7000760']
Some people say eye dominance has a good effect on the type of putter you use. Are you right eye dominant?
[/quote]

Yes sir I am right eye dominant. What does that affect?

[quote name='chickenpotpie' timestamp='1368126219' post='7000858']
First off, erase from your mind anything related to "a certain stroke type needs a certain type of putter." Rubbish. I have a SBST stroke, but putt best with plumbers necks.

Second, get to a store and try out a dozen different styles/necks. Narrow it down to a couple that look good to you and that you actually hit straight. Hopefully, through this exercise you find some key feature that is key to your putting.

If I had to guess, I'd bet alignment is part of your problem. You might try one of the Versa putters (without any sightline) to see how you do. Try a couple different styles/necks, not just the double bend types.

Good luck!
[/quote]

Good point. Although I hate when a putter feels great in store then sucks on the grass...
[quote name='TheOrange2002' timestamp='1368126256' post='7000864']
I will bet that alignment is a big issue with your putting.

5 minute attention span? Read Dave Stockton's book "Unconscious Putting" ... seriously, there is really only about 20 pages of needed information.

Read the section on alignment, pre-shot routine and the stroke.

I make more putts now, have better misses and I rarely practice putting and when I do, it is no more than 5 minutes at a time.
[/quote]

HAHA Good to know bud. I can handle 20 pages I think...

[quote name='3eagles18' timestamp='1368127836' post='7001042']
If you are pushing, I'll bet the house that you are sneaking a peek and the face is opening. Practice 3 and 4 footers with your eyes closed.
[/quote]

Makes no difference. Believe me this makes it worse AND i miss BOTH ways. lol I hate that I love this game

[rjp322]

They say eye dominance effects which type of putter hosel you should use. Search for it and you will read some interesting things.

[Cwing]

Daddy Long Legs or Tank putter.

[g8a_golf]

Bidding on a Ping My Day on eBay... after a lot of research and deliberation, I remembered I love the feel of the Karsten series and remembered how much i love the look of the My Day. I think I actually said to the people around me when I saw it "This is what a real putter looks like" Also it fits the toe hang and offset characteristics I found out I most likely need.

Thank you all for the input.

Play well!

[stryper]

[quote name='rjp322' timestamp='1368146498' post='7002688']
They say eye dominance effects which type of putter hosel you should use. Search for it and you will read some interesting things.
[/quote]

Or maybe you could give us a synopsis?

[rjp322]

Haha Ive read it both ways but after reading alot of things I will go with what I think is correct. This is for a right handed player so for a lefty the opposite of what i say is true. Actually just check this link out [url="https://goodeputter.com/DEO_2.html"]https://goodeputter.com/DEO_2.html[/url]
Cliffs of it is that right eye dominant, you are going to what offset, depending on how dominant it is depends how much offset you want. There is a test on that link. If you are left eye dominant and right handed, which is rare you are going to want little to no offset. This is all theory though as some people can putt well with anything

[bjackson]

[url="http://www.amazon.com/Putting-Out-Your-Mind-Rotella/dp/0743212134"]Read this

[attachment=1674790:putting.jpg][/url]

[url="http://www.theputtingarc.ypguides.net/"]Practice with this[/url]

[url="http://www.theputtingarc.ypguides.net/"][attachment=1674792:The_Putting_Arc_-_Deluxe_with_CD.jpg][/url]

[CBJ]

Sam Putt Lab Session if possible, the number don't lie!

Perfect Stroke is a great training aid

[gary3aces]

So if I hold up my thumb and I closed my right and my thumb moves to the right does that mean I'm right eye dominant?

[PuttingDoctor]

[quote name='FLAis4golferz' timestamp='1368121684' post='7000272']
So I've been putting horribly since probably last September. I was never a great putter but I've had my stretches. I got a long putter only to sell it a couple months later due to awkwardness. I push EVERYTHING but hit probably 90% of my putts solid.

I've done a lot of research and I am the exception to every rule apparently. I have a 34 inch TaylorMade TP Kia Ma Fontana which (for those who don't know) is a face balanced heel shafted goose-neck smaller mallet style putter which is also a little too upright for me. Every thread, article and person I ask says to get a face balanced model, bend it upright or change my stroke and i should be all set I am extremely comfortable with my stroke and have been for a long time and am not going to change it. I need a change of scenery...

I have more of an arc to my stroke but my happy marriage with this putter seems to be over. I am desperate to hear what style putter I should try and will explore all options as long as its not a belly or long putter.

To recap:

pushing everything
face balanced putter
arced stroke
not changing stroke

Thank you guys!

Someone give me a few suggestions please!
[/quote]

So in all of this information we don't see any info on your ability to aim. Have you verified via an independent source that you are actually aimed at the target?
Next if you are arcing your stroke unnaturally then the reaction you're making through impact can be a result of too much emphasis on the stroke path which is not natural for you. Stabilize your body (put the top of your forehead against the wall) and putt with your eyes closed repeating the stroke without stopping in the middle. Once you fall into a comfortable rhythm open your eyes to see what is your natural stroke path. It might surprise you.
Next check your body alignment, if you're setup is closed to the target line, your shoulder path closed, your stroke will be exaggerated in to out. Generally the open face push is due to an out to in path but if your face is square to path then possible it's just setup.
Next check your putter grip. Too many grips are on out of square. I see this all too often. Golfers can square the putter visually at address but then the hands naturally square at impact related to the physical alignment of the grip and bingo we have a highly consistent profile.... always makes me check the grip as a result.
If you get to Greenwich you can visit DeMane Golf for a SAM session, with or without me. I'm in the area the end of this month and will be in Weston May 31st / June 1st at Aspetuck Valley Country Club.

[rjp322]

[quote name='gary3aces' timestamp='1368162949' post='7004062']
So if I hold up my thumb and I closed my right and my thumb moves to the right does that mean I'm right eye dominant?
[/quote]
yes

[Graymulligan]

Practice more. I'm convinced that we've come up with a million reasons that we all have the "wrong" putter. If you get your stroke to the point where its repeatable, regardless of conditions, you can putt with a boat oar and make putts.

Find a putter that you like the feel of, and practice until it works right.

[gary3aces]

Have you tried a straight back and straight through stroke or one with just a slight arc?You have to be very precise with a big arc in your stroke.A face balanced putter from what I've read is more for a straight back and through stroke. I found I tip years ago that I still use today.Nick Faldo had a tip in Golf Magazine where he placed a club up his arms under his arm pits.It helped him to use his shoulders more when putting instead of just his arms or hands.I had a problem of slicing my putts and had a heck of a time hitting my putts straight.It feels weird when trying this but believe me it helps me square up the face of the putter.Try it with your eyes closed and get the feeling of rocking your shoulders.

[g8a_golf]

Turns out I made a great choice. I haven't putted this well in at least 4 years. I don't have to think about a damn thing. a few feel strokes looking at the hole, sole the putter and go. My lag putts have especially improved and I haven't made this many putts outside of 10 feet in a long long time...

[Salliesboy13]

If you are pushing but catching it solid I can think of four things. 1st is alignment, 2nd is you could be lifting your head all the time, 3rd it could be your alignment, and finally it's most likely a mental thing that you need to get over.

[g8a_golf]

Look up ^^^ all good

[quote name='Salliesboy13' timestamp='1376069632' post='7641566']
If you are pushing but catching it solid I can think of four things. 1st is alignment, 2nd is you could be lifting your head all the time, 3rd it could be your alignment, and finally it's most likely a mental thing that you need to get over.
[/quote]

[Salliesboy13]

[quote name='FLAis4golferz' timestamp='1376070012' post='7641622']
Look up ^^^ all good

[quote name='Salliesboy13' timestamp='1376069632' post='7641566']
If you are pushing but catching it solid I can think of four things. 1st is alignment, 2nd is you could be lifting your head all the time, 3rd it could be your alignment, and finally it's most likely a mental thing that you need to get over.
[/quote]
[/quote]
Usually with putting the more simple the better. Glad you found something that is working.

[g8a_golf]

[quote name='Salliesboy13' timestamp='1376072287' post='7642014']
[quote name='FLAis4golferz' timestamp='1376070012' post='7641622']
Look up ^^^ all good

[quote name='Salliesboy13' timestamp='1376069632' post='7641566']
If you are pushing but catching it solid I can think of four things. 1st is alignment, 2nd is you could be lifting your head all the time, 3rd it could be your alignment, and finally it's most likely a mental thing that you need to get over.
[/quote]
[/quote]
Usually with putting the more simple the better. Glad you found something that is working.
[/quote]

Absolutely. Thanks bud!

[home0006]

[quote name='Flatstick77' timestamp='1368152942' post='7003406']
Sam Putt Lab Session if possible, the number don't lie!

[/quote]

^^^^^ This. If you're serious about your putting go find a professional fitter and go through a SAM putting fitting. You can go through and hit every putter in your local GG/GS or whatever store you go to and you might find something that works, but the question you're asking is best answered if you go to a fitting and work with them to lock in the ideal putter for your stroke.

[GLF4EVR]

I may get slammed for this but it is one thing that has worked for some people. If you are constantly pushing it, add some weight to the heel of the putter. Then just the opposite if it is a pull. Again this had worked from some people. Me---I can either push of pull it at any given moment, but I have just a few grams of weight in the heel.

Glad to hear you have solved your problem. Thought I might place this in for others that are reading this & wondering what to try.