Pat O'Brien's Putting Fundamentals

Ducky · July 5, 2007

G'day,

Does anyone happen to have any in-depth knowledge on Pat O'Brien's putting fundamentals (in particular, the grip)?

I have watched the videos contained on the SeeMore website, however they are not the best of quality.

Any information will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

otto6457 · July 26, 2007

I'm going to bump this thread, simply because I have no more information than I did when I made the above post.

Anyone had a lesson with Pat O'Brien?

I work with Pat several times a year. I can tell you what we work on when I go to see him if that helps any.

Ducky · July 27, 2007

That would be great. I am particularly interested in the grip he advocates, but any information you can provide (such as drills, technique, etc) would be most helpful.

otto6457 · July 27, 2007

That would be great. I am particularly interested in the grip he advocates, but any information you can provide (such as drills, technique, etc) would be most helpful.

Pat prefers the putter more in your fingers . More like your full swing grip but with your left index finger straight down on top of the right hand fingers. He feels like having it in your fingers firms up the left wrist because it arches your wrist down. To practice taking the left hand grip, let your arms hang naturally at your side. Take the putter in your left hand while your hand hangs naturally at your side. Grip the putter in the fingers with your left thumb on top and running down the center of the grip. The right hand grip is pretty standard and the lifeline in your right hand folds over your left thumb, with your right thumb running down the center of the grip in line with the left thumb. It feels quite odd at first, but it soon becomes second nature. Taking the grip with your hands hanging naturally at your side will give you the correct grip every time.

When I work with Pat on putting we spend a lot of time on my path as I tend to take the putter too far inside, then swing too far to the right and block everything right. He also spends a lot of time on my tempo as I can get a little jabby. Pat teaches an arc stroke, but not as large an arc as Utley. Pat teaches a shoulder stroke but he doesn't mind some arm swing and nothing is rigid. Everything Pat teaches is pretty natural and free flowing. He hasn't had me do any special drills except distance drills. Usually putting to the edge of the green or to a tee. If my tempo is good, my distance is good.

His pitching, chipping, and bunker teaching is the best I have ever seen. His ability to teach trajectory control with wedges is in a class by itself.

The guy is an artist, and one of the nicest guys I have ever met.

If you need his email or phone number, PM me.

Asleep · July 27, 2007

...Pat prefers the putter more in your fingers...

Do you use the SeeMore putter with that big grip on it to do this?

When I try it (in the fingers, heel pad on top of grip) on the SeeMore fat grip I have trouble releasing the head----get blocks to the right because the grip is so big.

Also, does Pat recommend this style with non-center shaft putters--like a Ping Anser?

otto6457 · July 28, 2007

...Pat prefers the putter more in your fingers...

Do you use the SeeMore putter with that big grip on it to do this?

When I try it (in the fingers, heel pad on top of grip) on the SeeMore fat grip I have trouble releasing the head----get blocks to the right because the grip is so big.

Also, does Pat recommend this style with non-center shaft putters--like a Ping Anser?

I don't use a Seemore putter. I use a Cameron Newport. He teaches the same grip for all putters as far as I know. As far as the Seemore oversized grip, I have never seen one. The Seemore that Pat has used in our lessons has a normal sized grip.

slicefixer · July 28, 2007

Asleep.....he works with one of my long time students (14 years and just won the TX State Open).......everything he's told me is outstanding advice IMOP.......worth the trip up for you to go see him......