Good chipper, Bad Putter... Why

[307golf]

So I'm a better chipper than putter, so much so that I'd rather see the ball back off the green into the fringe so that I can chip rather than having to hit a long lag put. How can this be. It's the opposite of most people. I honestly hole out more chip shots than long putts and leave the lags closer too. ;)

 

Here's my thought;

 

I always thought that a square face, straight back and through putting stroke was the only way to fly. Obviously I don't chip this way. Maybe I'm the open-square-closed type of putter.

 

How does a person figure this out other than trial-and-error.

 

My putting handicap is probably 16, while I play to a 4... 3-putts and missing very makable putts are killing my scores, and ability to compete.

 

This is my winter project... Help very appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

307golf

[emc]

What do you call makeable putts? The PGA Tour only makes about 50% from 8 feet and 60% from 6 feet (not sure) so don't beat yourself up about it

[taylormadefan]

My putting handicap is probably 16, while I play to a 4... 3-putts and missing very makable putts are killing my scores, and ability to compete.

This is my winter project... Help very appreciated.

Thanks,

307golf

 

I think one of the big questions you need to ask yourself is, "Why am I 3 putting?"

 

Are you leaving putts 10 feet short? Are you blowing them 10 feet by? Or both? If that's the case you likely are not making consitent solid contact with the putter and likely have setup and/or mechanical issues you need to fix. I'd see a PGA pro and ask them what they think.

 

Remember that speed dictates line, it's very difficult to have a predictable line without proper speed, and you can't control speed if you're hitting one putt off the toe, another off the heel, and another dead center.

 

How's your green reading ability? These are all things you can work on.

 

The mental putting game is also very important, you might want to take a look at a book like Bob Rotella's Putting out of your Mind for some help in that area.

 

Hope that helps!

[mikpga]

Stop thinking about whether or not you are straight back and straight thru vs. slightly open to slightly closed...

 

You need to develop some confidence, period...

 

Start a foot away from the hole...

 

If you don't feel comfortable over the ball, experiment with set-up and grip...GET COMFORTABLE!!!

 

Putting is merely the art of rolling the ball to the hole...

[golfer.61]

get that swing arc trainer...tried it the other day and works real well ..also set up a station on the green to work on your alignment...and last and most important work on speed....let the ball get in the way of the stroke instead of hitting the ball make sure you hold your finish this will help you determine speed....

[307golf]

Speed control is terrible. 10 feet short, 10 feet long, sometimes on consecutive putts... ;)

 

I have noticed that I can't quite get my alignment right between feet, hips, shoulders. When I get it right, I recognize it and hit pure putts. However, I'm not aware of whether the alignment is right or not until I hit a putt and see how the ball leaves the putter.

 

Contact is good, that I'm sure of.

 

Hands are too active. I'm also sure of this one. This is what I'm really working on.

 

I putt equally well with a normal grip or left hand low. After I switch, I feel great for a day or two, then it seems like I get too comfortable and start doing too much with the hands.

 

Green reading is a "black art" as far as I know. I do live in the mountains which makes things a little tougher. I might need to learn a consistent system for this. It definitely gets in my head. I almost always play too much break, and I also almost always change my read when standing over the putt... Bad, I know.

 

I believe the speed control (or lack thereof) to be due to the handsy nature of my putting so those are my main goals right now...

 

Thanks for all the help.

 

307

 

P.S. If it means anything to anyone, I'm a much better putter on fast to very fast greens. I had my best putting day of the year on a day when others were bitching that they couldn't keep the ball on the green... Hmmm

[press]

I think what you need is a heavier putter and shorten your stroke. It sounds to me like you are getting too wristy and have no feel. Feel like you are popping the ball. Another thing to do is create some angle in the right wrist, meaning bending the right hand back at set up and keep that angle throughout the stroke. If you are not able to keep the wrist angles then you need to start using more of your chest and sholders to move the putter.