Looking for some putting advice

[leetch]

Just seeking out a little putting advice other than the usual - "go practice". The problem is, if you practice wrong, you will never get it right.

 

I'm a 5.8 handicap and average an eye popping 35 putts per round. This is not due to poor iron play leaving me 30 - 40 feet away from the pin and 3 putting. I usually lip out a good 3-4 birdie putts per round and another 3-4 par putts per round from distances inside 20 feet (including 5-10 footers all the time). I am also prone to the dreaded 3 putt not only from 30 foot distances but at times inside 20 feet because my confidence has been so shaken by my lack of skill (at this point I'm getting scared to try and putt to the back of the cup for fear of going past the hole and missing the comeback). I'm having a hard time determining if it's my swing, my set up or my green reading.

 

Any valuable advice on routines, how long to practice, at home practice techniques, green reading techniques, etc. would be greatly appreciated. I use a conventional stance and the YES! Tracy II putter which I love the weight and feel of and don't want to really change equipment.

 

Thanks in advance for you advice.

[curryj]

If you lip out 3-4 birdie putts per hole you can't be that far off track.

 

Ever consider going to a pga pro for a putting lesson? For most people golf lessons involve irons and woods, from my experience putting lesson has had the biggest impact on my game. Used video camera and couldn't have been hapier with the results

[leetch]

Unfortunately those lip outs have occurred in EVERY game I've played over the past year and a half. Something changed in my putting stroke or green reading ability that turned my makes into misses.

 

I've been to two pros both of whom advised me to "practice more" without even looking at my stroke. Maybe I need to hunt someone down who's willing to take my $50.00 and spend a half hour with me just putting. The other pros have doen wonders with my swing...if I could only get my putter going, I'd be happy.

 

I might try video taping myself to see how retarded I am in hopes something might be glaring. I'll keep checking around for teaching pros willing to work on that part of the game with me.