Ozgolf Little Red Book

[Ferrins]

Harvey Morrison Penick (October 23, 1904–April 2, 1995) was a well respected and beloved teaching golf (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golf) pro, considered one of the best golf teachers that ever lived.
Penick began his golf career as a caddy at Austin Country Club at age eight. He became the club's assistant pro five years later, and was promoted to head professional in 1923, where he remained until 1973.
Penick was the golf coach at the University of Texas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Texas_at_Austin) from 1931 to 1963, and coached Tom Kite (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Kite), Ben Crenshaw (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Crenshaw), Mickey Wright (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mickey_Wright), Betsy Rawls (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betsy_Rawls), Sandra Palmer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandra_Palmer), Judy Kimball (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy_Kimball), Kathy Whitworth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathy_Whitworth), Terry Dill (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Dill), Don Massengale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Massengale), Rik Massengale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rik_Massengale), as well as many other pros. In 1989, Penick was honored by the PGA of America (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PGA_of_America) as Teacher of the Year. In 1992, he authored Harvey Penick's Little Red Book, filled with insightful, easily understood anecdotes, it became the highest selling golf book ever published. While Penick was a strong all-around teacher of the game, he was perhaps the most gifted instructor of the mental game who ever lived. He advocated that once you address the ball, hitting it to the desired target must be the only thing in your life. Allow no negative thoughts, and focus on your goal.[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_Penick#cite_note-0)
During his final illness, he gave lessons from his deathbed to longtime student Ben Crenshaw (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Crenshaw). The day after serving as a pallbearer at Penick's funeral, Crenshaw played in the Masters Tournament (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masters_Tournament). With the memory and spirit of his longtime friend and mentor to guide him, he became the second oldest Masters champion, winning his second Masters at the age of 43. In the post-tournament interview, Crenshaw said: "I had a 15th club in my bag," a reference to Penick. (The "15th club" reference is based on the golf rule that limits a player to carrying 14 clubs during a round.)
In 2002, Penick was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Golf_Hall_of_Fame).

We all get and come up with good idea's in our search for lower scores. So I thought we could make our own "Little Red Book"

[Ferrins]

Been working a fair bit on my putting and while my feel and stroke were improving, I still was having more putts per round than I wanted. Decided to work harder on my wedge play. This work has had a big effect on my scoring. Getting the ball closer get's more birdie chances and less 3 putts. Saves my skin when I get into trouble off the Tee. The good thing about working on basic wedge play is you get plenty of opportunities each round to play these shots. I think about keeping the stroke simple and get it close. Got a little bit unstuck trying to be too fancy with flop shots etc when with the modern ball and the stopping quality of modern wedge grooves a simple well struck knock down is the best starting point too improving confidence.

[Courty]

Here's a great putting tip for the 4-6ft range. Pick your line, then visualise a cup halfway to the actual hole and putt to that. It makes those knee-knockers much, much easier.

[razaar]

Here's a great putting tip for the 4-6ft range. Pick your line, then visualise a cup halfway to the actual hole and putt to that. It makes those knee-knockers much, much easier.
:shock:

:lol:

[AndyP]

Won't the putt finish short then?

[zacdullard]

Won't the putt finish short then?
That was what I was thinking.

[zigwah]

I have 2 practice putts halfway to the hole then putt it to the hole, works really well for speed.

[goughy]

When I'm putting well, I don't aim for the hole. I aim for the blade of grass I want the ball to roll over before it enters the hole. And if it's a breaking putt I pick a blade on the side of the cup I want it to enter. Actually worked really well except when I got lazy.

[3oneday]

Here's a great putting tip for the 4-6ft range. Pick your line, then visualise a cup halfway to the actual hole and putt to that. It makes those knee-knockers much, much easier.


Won't the putt finish short then?


That was what I was thinking.

Maybe the theory is your knees knock less from 2-3 feet ? :confused:

[razaar]

Q: When does a chip become a pitch?

A: When the backswing is long enough to require a hinge of the wrists.

[Courty]

Won't the putt finish short then?

I'm only talking about line, not length. It's a visualisation thing to help commit to the putt.

[PeteyD]

I could not do that. It is like on breaking cups they say to visualise a cup 1' left etc. If i do that, my ball rolls to the imaginary cup. Goughy's small target is classic dr bob thinking.

[razaar]

A key to chipping success, particularly on tight lies, is to create a straight line with the left arm and the shaft at address and keep that line through the shot. There is no quicker way to lower your handicap than the ability to consistently chip close enough for one putt instead of two.

[AndyP]

I'm only talking about line, not length. It's a visualisation thing to help commit to the putt.
I putt to my target, so it wouldn't work for me.
If my putt is downhill and breaking to the left, I will pick a spot on the green short of the hole and to the right to putt to. I ignore the cup once I've chosen my target, unless it is my target.

That's why I rarely have the flag tended for long putts. I'm not actually looking at the hole.

[Courty]

I putt to my target, so it wouldn't work for me.
If my putt is downhill and breaking to the left, I will pick a spot on the green short of the hole and to the right to putt to. I ignore the cup once I've chosen my target, unless it is my target.

That's why I rarely have the flag tended for long putts. I'm not actually looking at the hole.

Maybe it's lost in translation. What you are saying you do is exactly what I'm talking about, but specifically on the 4-6ft range.

You know how easy it is to knock in a 1 ft putt? Well, when you have a longer putt, visualise a cup 1 ft away on the line you want to hit.

[henno]

You know how easy it is to knock in a 1 ft putt? Well, when you have a longer putt, visualise a cup 1 ft away on the line you want to hit.

1ft putts are easy because you can push/pull by probably 20 degrees either way and still find the hole. The same can't be said for 6ft putts.

Maybe I don't geddit either. :-k

[AndyP]

Maybe it's lost in translation. What you are saying you do is exactly what I'm talking about, but specifically on the 4-6ft range. If my putt was uphill, I would have a target behind the hole. You are picking a target short of the hole regardless.

[Ferrins]

All I thought about today was rolling the ball past the hole and I did it successfully 18 times. I'm an idiot what a stupid mind cue.

[razaar]

All I thought about today was rolling the ball past the hole and I did it successfully 18 times. I'm an idiot what a stupid mind cue.
A better cue would be - aim at the back of the hole.:lol:

[zacdullard]

I draw a line on my ball and I line it up on the intended path. I trust that it is aiming correct and then I only have to worry about speed.

This has improved my putting out of sight.

[Ferrins]

I want to get one of those devices that help to draw the straight line. Does anyone know where you get them

[AndyP]

I want to get one of those devices that help to draw the straight line. Does anyone know where you get them
I think that most golf shops would have them. Maybe even somewhere like Kmart. I've got a Proline one.

[zacdullard]

Yeh I just added one onto my order from the Golf Clearance Outlet for like $5. They sell them anywhere so you should be able to find one cheap.

[Ferrins]

Cheers for that.

On another note I read something that I thought was good from this old Sam Snead book. "Learn it then forget it"

[zacdullard]

I do that but not in the way that the quote means I think.

I get told something like my grip for example, that is my swing thought until something else comes along and sooner or later my grip is up shit creek again.

I think that quote means learn it but then don't think of it when your swining. I could be wrong about that though. That however is a good way to do it as you have a clear mind.

[Johnny Canuck]

i picked up my ball drawing thing from kmart for $1 or $2.

[Ferrins]

off to Kfart for me and then my balls will be lined up properly. Well one might still be a bit lower than the other.

[Johnny Canuck]

as long as one drops

[virge666]

Personally I am spot putter. Pick a spot and roll the ball ove the spot.

Stops me steering the putterhead.

[henno]

And speed? How do you control the speed at which you roll the ball over said spot?

[mike]

I want to get one of those devices that help to draw the straight line. Does anyone know where you get them
Here you go. About $3 per metre at Bunnings.

http://tayloranderson.net/rocket_launcher/materials/two_inch_pvc_pipe.jpg

[idgolfguy]

Q: When does a chip become a pitch?

A: When the backswing is long enough to require a hinge of the wrists.

Another perspective:
A chip is played with the leading edge of the club hitting the ground after the ball.

A pitch is played when the sole of the club hits the ground at the same time as the face hits the ball.

[Johnny Canuck]

And speed? How do you control the speed at which you roll the ball over said spot?

your subconscious does it for you.

[Eag's]

And speed? How do you control the speed at which you roll the ball over said spot?

To be honest I rarely think about speed, it all comes down to feel for me.
I visualise the putt falling in on the chosen line, then step up and hit it.
Also on putts around 2m or less I pick a very small part of the hole as my target.
A good drill for the putting green is hit loads of putts from about 1m aiming at only a tee stuck in the ground. Try and hit the tee 50 times in a row before you move to a hole and do the same :smt023

[henno]

Speed is my main issue, line not so much. When I've got it sorted out, things go very well. But when I'm struggling with speed, especially if there's any break, all is lost; I'll constantly hit through the break, or the ball will turn in short of the hole.

Strangely enough it seems to be slow greens that I struggle with the most. I've been putting reasonably decent on some of the harder, quicker greens of late.

[PeteyD]

If you can roll the ball to the hole using your hand (like lawn bowls) then speed is not an issue, you just need to practice it ;) Slow greens are the debil.

[Johnny Canuck]

Speed is my main issue, line not so much. When I've got it sorted out, things go very well. But when I'm struggling with speed, especially if there's any break, all is lost; I'll constantly hit through the break, or the ball will turn in short of the hole.

Strangely enough it seems to be slow greens that I struggle with the most. I've been putting reasonably decent on some of the harder, quicker greens of late.

one of dr. bob's great examples is tossing a ball.

if i ask you to throw me a ball from 10 feet, you'll do it without thinking. there is no reason why your putting shouldn't be exactly the same. we all have the "touch", it's just a matter of learning to trust it.

fwiw, i never think about speed, unless i've got a massive kennedy bay 50km wind to deal with and then i have to remind myself that my normal hitting pace may need some adjustment.

[henno]

if i ask you to throw me a ball from 10 feet, you'll do it without thinking. there is no reason why your putting shouldn't be exactly the same. we all have the "touch", it's just a matter of learning to trust it.

While I understand that analogy and get the general point, the difference is that the air between us does not change resistance on the ball when throwing (much) nor are there topographical nuances that also affect speed. Throwing a ball is practiced in relatively stable environments with only one variable: distance to the target. The same can't be said for putting, which has changing resistance on the ball (green speed) varying elevations, and so forth. All of these factors multiply to produce an almost infinite number of variables.

But yes, practice practice practice. I know. :mrgreen:

[Johnny Canuck]

I guess it might just be experience that does it for me. When I look at a putt, no matter the elevation changes, etc, I just seem to hit and accept what comes.

Even with all the elevation changes, it still comes down to choosing a target and hitting it to that target. Factor all the elevation changes and variables into choosing a target. Once you have that, simply hit it to it.


The target choosing may require some practice. The speed will come naturally.

[PeteyD]

Henno, you are baffling yourself with crap and thinking about it way too much. Dr Bob is right.

[Daves]

If you can roll the ball to the hole using your hand (like lawn bowls) then speed is not an issue, you just need to practice it ;) Slow greens are the debil.

So true Petey,

the underarm roll is a good drill if you are having trouble with distance. I personally find alignment lines on the ball distracting, I prefer to place a clean face up and just concentrate on the line and speed. If there is an alignment line it is never 100% inline and it puts me right off.

Reddy Bay greens were sensational on Thursday for the Seniors Champs, quick and true, but fuzzy again yesterday. I can understand why with the heat of the last few days, but putting wise it was chalk and cheese (27 vs 31).

[Toolish]

My speed control used to be shit, I blamed it on not having feel. In the end it was a technique thing (Virge, you there).

On longer putts and slower greens my left wrist would break down and I would give the putter a little flick through impact sending the ball way past. Then I would realise I had done that and keep it solid the next time and come up short.

I spent a fair bit of time hitting hard putts focussing on keeping it all solid there and it helped a stack.

[Daves]

Sometimes it is technique, and sometimes it is your body taking over. I use clear keys once I am over the ball and it seems to mostly eliminate the pushed or pulled putts or charge past.

Finding a putter that gives you real feel off the face also helps a lot I found, plus one that is designed for your swing type i.e centre balanced or toe balanced as the case may be.