sidesaddle putting

I have been putting sidesddle for 2 years. I have yet to play with or see anyone else using this method. Is anyone out there LOL.

hi
i putt sidesaddle but use a broomhandled putter. hold top grip near my right shoulder and my right arm just sort off hangs and swings forward and back like your were marching. been doing it almost a year, i look at the hole and not the ball when putting too, works great. my mates made fun of me till i started putting realy well and i think my putting is now my strong point in my game.
bill

When I'm really struggling, I will putt this way. I'm at least around the hole, with this method, but I don't sink a lot of them.

Isn't it now against the rules? Sammy Snead putted croquet style and they outlawed that so he started the sidesaddle putting technique, which I believe they also outlawed. It is up to you if you do it, like taking a driver over 460ccm. But in a competition or for official handicap purposes you may not be allowed. Just a thought.

hi
i can tell you that it is legal and i contacted the R&A about it and the said as long as both feet are on the same side of the line of the putt its legal, same as if your driving the ball. you cant stand with your feet across the line of the putt as in croquet style.
if it was against the rules then half the pro's would be breaking the law when they walk up and tap in one handed as that is still a side saddle putt and they do it that all the time for putts of a few inches.
check with the R&A like i did and they will e-mail you but it takes a few weeks.
i do know i'm right on this as i checked before i started using it in comp's at my club. been doing it about 14 months now and i keep getting told that broomhandled putters are getting banned too but again the R&A say they have no plans to ban broomhandled putters and it won't come up again till 2009.
if you have dave pelz book the putting bible then look up page 38 and 39 you will see whats legal and whats not and on page 40 pelz's says if a pro starts winning using this style (system i use) then the USGA might then look at banning it.
bill

I stand corrected.

Cheers.

Snowy.

hi snowy
your not the only one that thought that way, at my last club there was a few complaned i putted to good and that putting that way must be banned, that why we contacted the R&A.
try standing facing the hole, your toes pointing to the hole too and turn your right hand to face the hole too, put your left hand on the top of your right arm where it meets the shoulder and then just swing your right arm back and forward and keep your hand looking at the hole, no wrist movement, no shoulder turn or hip turn and both eyes look at the hole, it really so easy. i wish i had tried it 20 year ago when my putting was poor.
cheers
bill

Interesting, what I was doing was more like a hockey shot. So essentially it's a one handed putting stroke with your feet/shoulders parallel to the target line.

Have you seen any video around on this? I'd like to see an example.

hi dannyra
no its two handed, my left hand hold the top of the broomhandled putter (52 inch) to my sholder or on top of my arm-pit, and my right arm does all the work, it just swings back and through just like when you swing it when you walk, the left hand dont move and only grips the top of the club lightly. its a bit like bowling without bending.
bill

Ok, I didn't realize it was with a broomhandle. After posting I found another topic discussing this.
http://www.golf-tuition-online.com/s...e-putting.html (Sidesaddle putting)

And videos.

Masterpiece Custom Golf -Instructional Video
Masterpiece Custom Golf -Instructional Video

hi dannyra
that first masterpiece clip is how i do it but my putter if a little taller and i stand more upright than he does bit every thing else is the same. thanks for the clip. first time i have seem someone use that systen up to now i only seen a picture before on page 40 of dave pelz putting bible. it works as good as he shows it does too.
he looks at the ball where i look at the hole.
thank
bill

Cool to know I am not alone. Since I went to sidesaddle my putting has got a lot better no more 3 putts. I also use a long putter 48"

hi
its good to know that there are more of us using this system of putting and that it works for them as well as it works for me.
thanks again for the clips.
does anyone else look at the hole when using tthis system of putting, i think it works better than looking at the ball, i seem to judge the distance and pace of the ball better.
bill

hi
my thoughs on putting.
i dont think it matters what way you putt as long as you feel comfortable and confedent in the way you do it and you get the results you want. i know i feel better putting this way than i have ever felt in the 20 plus years i have been playing golf. i seem to be able to judge the distance better looking at the hole and as i'm facing the hole it seems the natural thing to do. i find its very rare now for me to 3 putt and that was not the case before i changed styles.
i have the confedense to putt well now and i think i will make at least 50% of the putts from about 10 feet or more and dont miss many from under 6 feet unless there a really big borrow.
i feel i dont need to go for the pin when playing my mid irons as on the green i will have a chance for a one putt. my whole way of playing has now changed and get on the green a lot more not trying to find the pin.
my best score this year was 80. 9 over par and i play off 14 handicap.
bill

Hi Bill

I have been putting this way for 2 years. Now putting has become the best part of my game. I have tried to look at the target but do not feel confident that way. I look at the target just until the last moment look a t the ball and hit.