Putting Stroke

Thank you, I will definitely try that out.

I like to use 7 balls and place them in a circle about 3-5 feet around a hole. This not only helps with shorter putts but also helps make a more confident and consistent stroke. Another drill that I was urged to try is a ladder drill where you start at 8 feet, then 12 feet and so on by increments of 4 feet until at 20 feet. You place a tee at each mark, and then lay a club or something of that nature behind the hole a foot and a half. You then work your way up and down the ladder trying to get the ball to the hole but not far enough past it so that it hits the object behind the hole.

You can use some alignment sticks for aim and body alignment just like you would practicing your full swing. I use this quite often and usually find that some part of my body is not aligned right.

Also try the gate drill. Pick a straight 3-4 foot putt. Set your club on that line and then place a tee in the green off the toe of your putter and a tee off heel. Leave just enough room for your putter to fit thru during the stroke. Place a ball in between the tee's and start practicing. The tee's will give you instant feedback when your stroke is off. This drill also helps you hit the sweet spot more consistently which will also help with your distance. 

 Chris S

Hi Joseph,

When my putting starts to slip I go though a routine to re-calibrate it.

First I use a few balls that have an alignment line drawn all around the equator of the ball with a sharpie (If you are not too picky, a spare toilet paper roll will do just fine for a stencil). 'll putt the ball so that the line rolls end over end and doesn't wobble. This will let me know my stroke is good if the ball is rolling pure. If the line is not straight, then it usually means I am slicing across the ball or pushing it.

Next I'll do the next stage of the process and calibrate the alignment. Put a dime on a flat area of the green and just make one foot putts that roll straight over the coin. This drill will make sure that I am aiming my putter in the direction that I am seeing.

Part three is distance control. Here is where I do stage 2 at different distance increments to get a feel for the speed of the greens. I prefer to focus between 8 to 16 feet since a majority of my birdie attempts are those distances. I would make sure I putt on the same line as to isolate variables and get a real feel for the mass of the ball and resistance of the green.

Lastly I will do the clock drill and practice reading breaks. I learned that the trick to really get the feel for a target spot is to have a ball above and below the hole where it does not break at all. This helps me to visualize the break line for the other putts on the clock.

Sinking long breaking putts is going to be a combination of the first three steps so it will be really hard to do if one of them is not on point.

I'm fighting similar issues as Joseph.  Shorter days and increased yard work (&@#%! falling leaves), has led to less time for practice, and nowhere has this hurt me more than on and around the greens.  I’m mired in a terribly ugly putting rut that has left me so darn frustrated.  Over the last three rounds, I’ve lost all confidence.  My predominant miss has been to the right side of the hole, but I can’t say for sure whether I’m pushing my putts, or I’m just lined up wrong.  And worse, I’ve begun to “think” rather “do” when I’m over the ball.  I’ve been working on this at home, but even on the carpet, my stroke has become inconsistent – I don’t know how it went so south so fast! 

This weekend I’m participating in a two team, match play event (3 nine holers of four ball, foursomes and then singles), and I’ll need to convert every 5 footer I see.  I’m concentrating on putts inside 6 feet for 15-30 minutes a day.  I'll try some of these other tips offered as well.  Thanks for the advice

If you're truly serious about putting, there is only one answer.

Book a putter fitting session at the Scotty Cameron Gallery in Encinitas, CA.

It's a touring pro fitting at the highest level and examines every facet of putting.

It's well worth the time and money and will change you and your game forever.

good luck!

I typically make a few putts on the putting green to get a feel for the speed of the green.  I find what helps me the most is going through my regular pre-putt routine.  I read the green so I can see the path the ball will take, stand so my head is directly over the ball and make two swings to feel the straight follow through, then with my putter head behind the ball, I "see" the path I want the ball to take to the hole.  Once I am confident that I can make that stoke, I look at the ball and make my swing.

Simple,  2 rubber bands,  start with them 1.5 times a ball size apart.  Move them closer as you get better at striking the center of the putter.   Really works wonders to make you hit dead center of club.

Other than that,  just practice the putts from different distances. 

I like to get two plastic hangers from my closet and set them up on the carpet a little more than golf ball width apart with the flat sides facing in towards each other and the hooks facing away. I then grab a few golf balls and start about 6-8 inches behind the hangers and try to make the ball go through the space without touching either hanger. This is will help with your alignment and will tell you right away if you are pushing or pulling your putts. Love this drill and is simply to set up and even easier to clean up. 

I struggled with putting for a long time, and recently made an adjustment that worked wonders.  It was as simple as changing my stance.  I was bent over, and my line of vision was not matched up to the ball.  This messed up my angles which threw off the rest of my putting stroke.  I don't know your personal putting style, but it might be as simple as line up so that your eyes are looking straight down at the ball instead of inside or outside.

All,

I too was having troubles recently! And I was currently listening to a book by Dr Bob Rotella and heard a drill used by one of his clients that is a current PGA touring Pro; the drill is simple and worked wonders for me!

Use as many balls as you wish and play "around the world" around on cup from that 3' range. Alls you are doing is watching the ball go into the cup over and over and over again. If at anytime you miss, start over. After you have gone around a couple times, then put from further distance to a tee in the ground or coin or a point on the green or point on the fringe... ANYTHING BUT THE CUP! This will help you get your speeds down and you will NOT SEE THE BALL MISS THE CUP! 

This worked for me and one of my golf partners and worked wonders! It shouldn't take you but 5-10 minutes. Give it a try just before your next round!

Good luck!

S.Blu

I like to take 2 alignment sticks to the practice green and lay them parallel to each other on the ground with just enough room for my putter head. Aim them at the hole a couple of feet away and start sinking putts. You don't have to worry about the line, just stroke it smooth with the right speed.