My putting is killing me!!!

folks,

straight back and staright thru or open-close putting...what's your opinion, feedback? I am trying the open - close style as recommeded by stan Utley. Not bad so far but a couple that missed by miles to the left as I consiously close the clubface.

Mr4putt

Hope you get some good replies. It is killing me too.

hi
try dave plez putting bible it worked for me,
bill

Where do you find it please?

hi
i got mine on amazon. £22 for the putting bible and also the short game bible, good getting both for £22 and p&p was free.
bill

you can also try putting with a 2thumb grip http://www.2thumbgrip.com/2thumb/2thumbgrip.asp
I like it because it keeps the shoulders level at set up, for me it works very well. I found it VERY easy to adapt to and the only issue is distance control, but I have only played with it a couple of rounds so far but direction is very good for me.

Recall reading a Sorenstam putting tip in a mag a while back...

Once you've read and committed to the line and speed of your putt, simply pick a spot on your selected target line an inch or so ahead of the ball and focus on that spot through your putting stroke. Watching the ball go over this spot after you've struck it will hopefully stop you from coming up out of your putting stroke to watch where the ball goes...

problem is i am focusing on the ball at the same time the putter head and also that spot in front of me & hoping my speed is right or I read the right break....I'm a mess 5ft and in.

anyone, feedback on straight fwd & back or open & close style putting, (that is the putter face fans open & closes on the way thru)

I read a post on another website a few years ago that helped my putting accuracy. For some reason I started hitting the ball all over my putter face. Off the toe, putts went right. Off the heel, putts went left. What the poster wrote had to do with turning the lead, (left) hand more counter clockwise, and turning the trailing (right) hand more clockwise. Basically you are opening both hands up, which forced them to work against each other, but kept the putter face square to the target line. If you try this, you will need to expieriment on how much you need to open the hands/grip. Doing this also kept my elbows closer together during the entire putting stroke. The combination of open hands, and elbows closer together made me use my upper arms, and shoulders more, which did away with my off center putter hits. The only draw back for me was on longer putts (25' +) where distance was the issue. Accuracy was there, but I usually came up short of the pin. Hope this helps...GJS

Pendulum for me... Straight back and straight thru...

Trying to keep everything square and on line seems to be simple enough, the only variable then is "speed".

Seems to me that using the other method just adds complexity where maybe it isn't required...?
Bottom line, you should uses whatever works for you.

Cheers

i dont know what method you are talking about but i have got my own routine which works fine for me.
1/ stand behind the ball and try to pick out the line to the hole
2/ address the ball and look to set the putter on the line you have seen
3/now concentrate on the first six inches of the line and do not be tempted to keep looking at the hole.
4/trust your feel and hit the ball.
this routine has worked great for me .I strike the ball much better which makes me much more consistant.

interesting, thanks Cmays. Keep it coming folks. Just bought a centre shafted putter, just need a change for 2007. anyone using a centre shafted putter??

I concur with Bill that Dave Pelz Putting Bible is a must for anyone who wants to study and learn how to improve their putting, as is his Short Game Bible is for Pitching, Chipping, Bump and Run and sand play.

He demonstrates how a straight back and through putting stroke with a pendulum action through the arms and shoulders is the best way to control the putt.

I have almost eliminated three putting from my game now by working on "Lag Putting" for anything over 8 feet and hitting the ball at the correct pace for various break conditions.

__________________
Best Regards
Brian

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Funny o'l game!

I think that putting is an individual thing. Once you have sound mechanics, FEEL plays a very important role.

Be committed to the line and pull the trigger.

Just trust it. Sooner rather than later, things will work out.

I agree with picking a spot in front of the ball -keep the blade low to the ground back and through-whichever stroke you prefer.


good luck