"Breaking Bad" habits - my lesson with The Putting Doctor

Apex93 · April 17, 2014

I first came across Glen Coombe's posts (and golfwrx) when I was attempting to build my own putting green and found this: http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/508985-indoor-putting-platform/page__hl__

Reading through his posts, it became obvious to me that he knows what he is talking about and is the best in the business at using the latest tech available to perfect your putting stroke. I'd gotten so much out of his posts that I wanted to take a lesson as a sort of payment for all the free advice he provides here. Well, when he recently relocated to Ocala, FL, I found my chance. I PM'd him (username: PuttingDoctor) and set it up.

I didn't tell him this, but the man looks a little like Walter White from Breaking Bad ("*I* am the one who putts."). But he's a great guy and in no way intimidating! His studio setup is amazing - the platform, SAM Puttlab with huge screens, and a drool-worthy collection of Bettinardi, Rife, Seemore, etc flatsticks. It was not my first time on the SAM system, but it became obvious why he's their top rep. Five putts and he had me pegged, and he easily flowed into suggestions and methods to address my (many) faults. In 90 minutes, he'd tweaked my setup, aim, pre-shot routine, stroke, posture, (and the space between my ears!) in a way that didn't feel overwhelming. And being able to validate all these changes with SAM provides the perfect mental checkmark that, yeah, this works. No tweak felt forced and he was able to point to data to support his reasons for the changes (both before and after). And much to the chagrin of my putterho ways, he didn't try to sell me a putter.

My stroke felt great when I left, and I hit up the practice green to see if it translated. Night and day better. It got me excited for the season...

Anyone who is or can get around the area, don't hesitate to see Glen. It's time and money well spent, and I'll certainly be back.

CBJ · April 17, 2014

Glen is the best, I use to live 45 minutes away from him when he lived in SC. He has helped my putting tremendously.

Timanator · April 17, 2014

He has improved my putting with out ever having to make a trip to see him. Amd the drills he gave me were easy and fun. They have become a part of my practice

PuttingDoctor · April 19, 2014

You're all too kind... :blush:

Apex93 is a 2 handicap on his way to a +2 in my humble opinion. A coach lives for sessions like we had and though he budgeted 2 hours I felt like we had accomplished more in just 90 minutes than most students assimilate in one session.

And if you show up at my studio with a great Machine Putter or something that fits, looks great and yields results I won't offer to change it out. I'm not one to make changes for the sake of making changes....

So all you NJ folks watch out for Apex93 as I think he may be playing better than his handicap for the season opener.... and you know what we call those guys..... :rolleyes:

I'm on the road again with visits to The Great White North then Ole Miss and NJCC but will be back in the Putting Perfection Studio in May.

youfromjoisey · April 19, 2014

[quote name='Timanator' timestamp='1397777353' post='9114957']
He has improved my putting with out ever having to make a trip to see him. Amd the drills he gave me were easy and fun. They have become a part of my practice
[/quote]

How so? Did you watch video or read drills that he's written?

PuttingDoctor · April 22, 2014

[quote name='youfromjoisey' timestamp='1397937410' post='9126073']
[quote name='Timanator' timestamp='1397777353' post='9114957']
He has improved my putting with out ever having to make a trip to see him. Amd the drills he gave me were easy and fun. They have become a part of my practice
[/quote]

How so? Did you watch video or read drills that he's written?
[/quote]

NJ, Timinator read and asked questions on a number of my posts and then bought my copyrighted putting lesson plan. He's also sent me some video of his putting for evaluation. I have students all over the world who I work with remotely. Some even have remote SAM PuttLab sessions with me. I'll be in NJ May 3/4 at NJCC in Wayne but I believe we're sold out.

Timanator · April 22, 2014

[quote name='youfromjoisey' timestamp='1397937410' post='9126073']

How so? Did you watch video or read drills that he's written?
[/quote]

It's a very strange experience, as I have taken lessons from a putting instructor locally. The local experience is prob what most would identify as a putting lesson. We go over setup, grip, and then putt some balls. We then go over the fit of the putter then some drills. And then he tried to sell me a custom putter.

All good except I still sucked many month later practicing those drills.

The Glenn Coombs(ThePuttingDoctor) posts intrigued me because of how detailed oriented he was with his projects. Much like my swing instructor Geoff Jones. Both likely more OCD than most. Since I had no chance of seeing Glenn any time soon, I went for a local Sam lab session, good part is I have the data, bad part is they have no clue on how to use that to make me a better putter. And then they tried to sell me a custom fitted putter.

When I posted my experience on here is when Glenn offered to take a look at the data. Well he gave me a concrete method of verifying my setup, and then drills to work everything in. A month in and I now stick to just 1 putter instead of the 30 others I accumulated in the slump. I now have a solid putting practice regiment that is 30 minutes and fun.