Finding a good to great putting instructor?

[threeputter]

You know it seems lots of golf teachers can teach the basic, work on swing techniques, video, etc.... I've had folk who hep with my swing and chipping try working on putting but it seems that they want to teach their style or technique which may or may not fit with my 20+ years of bad habits. So how does one go about finding a putting instructure who can work over time to get you to a good technique rather that an all at once change?

 

Any recommendations in northern VA? I am interested primarily in putting with maybe some sand work as well.

[SadTrombone]

Check out a Dave Pelz clinic. Seriously!

 

-mini

[threeputter]

Are the Pelz clinic really that good? Never liked the thought of group lessons and other then some joint lessons with my daughter I have always had one on ones. Some lessons better than others, but when I've tried putting they all want teach only their way. I think the best thing I did with my swing lessons was actuallly go down to Benders and he actually showed not only how to correct some swing flaws but actually how to find and correct flaws myself. I don't want robot training, I want to understand the feel, and what to expect and know how to correct based on feedback, results, etc...

[otto6457]

Geoff Mangum is in North Carolina. He is considered by many to be the most knowledgeable putting expert on the planet.

 

His webpage is here:

 

http://www.puttingzone.com/

 

Unless you are a SBST putter, or want to be a SBST putter, Pelz is a waste of money and time.

 

I have been to two Pelz short game schools. Both were more tuned to high handicappers over experienced players. Both turned into infomercials for the endless stream of Pelz gadgets. The putting instructors ignored any reference to an arc stroke and just parroted the book. Dave Pelz did not appear at either school I attended and his instructors stick to the party line. In all fairness, I do feel like they improved my green reading.

 

Pat O'Brien is in Dallas Tx. He works with Vaughn Taylor and Zach Johnson, and he worked with Payne Stewart. I have worked with Pat several times and he is the best I have direct experience with. Pelz is a "method" guy, Pat is a "results guy". If you want his email address or phone number, PM me.

 

Stan Utley is in Arizona and many pro's will tell you that no one is better. His webpage is here:

 

http://www.stanutleygolf.com/

 

If you are really looking for the best in the world, you should consider Harold Swash in the UK. His website:

 

http://www.haroldswashputting.co.uk/

 

It is quite possible that a very good putting instructor is near you in Virginia. Have you tried contacting the PGA and see if there are any instructors near you that might specialize in putting instruction?

 

It really comes down to how much you are willing to spend and how far you are willing to go to get the BEST putting instruction available.

[taylormadefan]

Are the Pelz clinic really that good? Never liked the thought of group lessons and other then some joint lessons with my daughter I have always had one on ones. Some lessons better than others, but when I've tried putting they all want teach only their way. I think the best thing I did with my swing lessons was actuallly go down to Benders and he actually showed not only how to correct some swing flaws but actually how to find and correct flaws myself. I don't want robot training, I want to understand the feel, and what to expect and know how to correct based on feedback, results, etc...

 

If you want something that's going to be patient and flexible, none of the Pelz schools are NOT for you IMHO.

 

Otto's summary was my same experience at the Pelz Houston school, if you're interested in buying Pelz products and participating in their "research" they're great. But I thought my time there was a complete waste of a large sum of money.

 

Before you go anywhere, take a step back and assess your putting game. What is it you're having trouble with, line, speed, green reading?

 

Decide what your faults are and then go from there. Be specific with swing instructors in your area and ask them if they can help you. Chances are pretty good there's one who is a pretty good instructor.

[SadTrombone]

Read Dave Pelz' Putting Bible. You don't need the gadgets and if that's what his clinics are for, don't go. I don't need someone to sell me a bunch of crap that I can "build". Line up two clubs parallel for "path" Put some rubber bands on your club surrounding the sweet spot for "teacher clips". Just make sure your putter "fits" you for your PILS stroke. Once you start hitting putts solid on a straight back straight through, square all the time path, you'll learn how to read greens better. Most players under-read by at least 2/3 of the actual break.

 

I think you'll be happy with the results and the consistency...not that I and others don't miss putts...but I find that I miss makeable putts less often nowadays.

 

Now, with all of that being said (and I do agree with Pelz and his method), Utley is probably the only other guy I would listen to with regards to short game. Between those two, no one is better, IMHO.

 

-mini

[mikpga]

Putting is a very individual area of this game.

 

When teaching putting, I try to identify possible weaknesses in their stroke.

 

However, it is my belief that the putting stroke is the least complicated stroke in the game.

 

I tend to focus on developing CONFIDENCE in the student's ability.

 

There are three areas which should always be looked at for putting instruction.

 

1. The actual stroke.

2. Putter fitting. Length, lie, loft, and swingweight.

3. Confidence.

[puttmagic]

Geoff Mangum is in North Carolina. He is considered by many to be the most knowledgeable putting expert on the planet.

 

His webpage is here:

 

http://www.puttingzone.com/

 

Thanks for the kind words! As my writing / contributing in this thread ought to signify, I'm a VERY proactive golf instructor who actively seeks out others. And I don't mind direct comparisons with others, as this is really the way golf needs to be. In science, no one expects anything less than total scrutiny and criticism 24/7. So if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

 

Putting instruction really involves at least FOUR separate skills: reading putts, aiming the putter accurately, stroking the ball to roll where the putter actually aims, and controlling distance. Of these absolutely fundamental skills, other instructors focus almost exlusively upon the stroke, and give short shrift to reading, aiming, and touch. In contrast, I have spent nearly twenty years (so far) focused exclusively upon combining the best of putting lore from history with the modern neuroscience of targeting perceptions and stroke movement processes in the brain and body so that I teach "instinctive putting". This is an INTEGRATED approach to all four skills with brain-and-body based science guiding the way rather than the usual "robotics" or "engineering" approach dating back to the 1970s. If you really want to know how "touch and feel" works in simple ways for excellent putting on a consistent basis so that you can coach yourself and avoid streakiness and stay consistent by using what works with understanding of how and why it works, I recommend this approach.

 

Cheers!

 

Geoff Mangum

Putting Coach and Theorist

PuttingZone.com

Golf's most advanced and comprehensive putting instruction.

 

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[Baller]

Thanks for joining up with Golfwrx. I am sure your insight will prove invaluable on the forum.