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  1. #1
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    Default Putting - my dilemma and thoughts. Feedback welcome

    I currently play off 9-10. Putting is the weakest part of my game. Yesterday I had 10 3 putts. I regularly have 6-10.

    If I could become even a “average putter” I should be off mid singles.

    I realised yesterday I follow the putter head back with my eyes to try and have it hit the ball square. My natural stroke is a slight arc, but I moved to straight back as I was pulling and pushing putts. I now have both distance control issues and can also yip.

    I realised last night I can likely use my natural stroke (which gives me good distance control but was previously producing pills and pushes) if I keep my head still and not look at putter.

    I know it seems rudimentary, but I’m hoping this allows some freedom back into my game.

    It’s super frustrating having played off 1-2 now struggling to play off 10.

  2. #2
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    I do the same. Look at front if the ball and do the 1.2.3. Count out load or in your head.

    1 start back
    2 start forward stroke
    3 at impact.

    By focusing on getting the timing of the 3, keeps your mind busy instead of thinking about stupid stuff.
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  3. #3
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    Are you still playing at Monash? I would think the natural stroke that gives you your distance control would be key to stopping the 3 putts!

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by markTHEblake View Post
    I do the same. Look at front if the ball and do the 1.2.3. Count out load or in your head.

    1 start back
    2 start forward stroke
    3 at impact.

    By focusing on getting the timing of the 3, keeps your mind busy instead of thinking about stupid stuff.
    cheers. This afternoon I practiced looking at a spot just in front of ball, with only thought being to still be looking there after impact, and most of my putts were online without having to think about it. Stupid bloody brain!
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  5. #5
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    Hey mate, no I moved down to Mona Vale.

    the greens are marginally slower, however the breaks are far more subtle and add to the head ****. At Monash you knew which way it was breaking as the slopes are more severe. I’m clueless most of the time at mona vale.
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  6. #6
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    Default

    I've seen this work for some.

    "What is quiet eye in golf?
    When lining up a putt, experts alternate quick fixations between the ball and the hole. Then before and during the stroke they hold a steady fixation on the back of the ball, for around 2-3 seconds. After contact with the ball the eyes remain steady for a further half a second. This technique was named the Quiet Eye.26 July 2010"
    "Golf makes different creatures of us all, some worse, some better, but all enthusiastic" Evening Journal, 1897.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sydney Hacker View Post
    I would think the natural stroke that gives you your distance control would be key to stopping the 3 putts!
    even tempo helps deliver distance control.
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    Criticism doesn't bother me, as it means I am doing something and people are watching.
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  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by davepuppies View Post
    Hey mate, no I moved down to Mona Vale. the greens are marginally slower, however the breaks are far more subtle and add to the head ****. At Monash you knew which way it was breaking as the slopes are more severe. I’m clueless most of the time at mona vale.
    My poor green reading skills means it takes me a few rounds to remember the breaks, how are you finding Mona Vale? A few of you left and went down there didn’t you?I would love to just get to playing at my home course, looks like I will be locked out a bit longer yet though!

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sydney Hacker View Post
    My poor green reading skills means it takes me a few rounds to remember the breaks, how are you finding Mona Vale? A few of you left and went down there didn’t you?I would love to just get to playing at my home course, looks like I will be locked out a bit longer yet though!
    I am enjoying it. It’s not as well conditioned as Monash. Based purely on golf course Monash is ahead. I left as I was on a limited membership of 12 comp rounds per year for $1800. I wanted to play more golf as my handicap had gone out to 11. It was going to cost $5000 to go to a 7 day, and another $5000 to go up categories. $10k is just too much to play golf these days!The membership base at Mona vale is far more friendly, far more suited to me.
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  10. #10
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    Why so many 3 putts? Are you leaving yourself too many long second putts, or are you missing the little ones?

  11. #11
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    3 putts is distance control.

    So you need drills on distance control.

    Ladder Drill
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5jRzZOdoMI

    Box Drill
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvBXcev0Ji0

    TicTacToe
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mrJ6ZFa2UA

    All are brilliant... the tic-tac-toe drill is a shitload of fun with a mate. We use to do it with a gallery for $2 a game.

    if you are missing short ones - then the solution is pretty obvious.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Webster View Post
    Why so many 3 putts? Are you leaving yourself too many long second putts, or are you missing the little ones?
    Both unfortunately.
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  13. #13
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    Just buy a new driver then.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Webster View Post
    Just buy a new driver then.
    Ha ha! Driver is solid. I might be convinced to buy a super light weight X flex to take a tad of spin off, but it’s behaving
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  15. #15
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    Seriously though, I'd keep changing putters until you find something that feels better than the rest. Most 3 putting comes from leaving the first one short in my experience. Maybe just go out there with the aim of getting every single putt past the hole, no matter if they miss or not. You'll find that you'll still have a few three putts, but a few will go in anyway.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by virge666 View Post
    if you are missing short ones - then the solution is pretty obvious.
    I'm all ears.....
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  17. #17
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    Default

    Aim to not miss them.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Yossarian View Post
    Aim to not miss them.
    Of course!

    How stoopid of me!!!
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  19. #19
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    Do the opposite of Yoss.

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by LeftyHoges View Post
    I'm all ears.....
    Really .. OK.

    You just do 6 ft drills to a tee or a coin.

    Find a flat piece of green to putt on - away from the masses. Put a tee in the ground 6ft away and putt to it and just hit it.. dont care what speed .. just hit it. over and over and over again. then over and over and over and over again.

    this is my drill before playing a game, make the actual hole look as big as a bucket. i just visualise a tee at my target point.

    if you cant hit the tee... then change to 3ft away - if you cant hit it 3ft away.. then might be time to try another sport.

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by virge666 View Post
    if you cant hit it 3ft away.. then might be time to try another sport.
    Yeah, this is sadly where I'm at....
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  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by virge666 View Post
    if you cant hit the tee... then change to 3ft away - if you cant hit it 3ft away.. then might be time to try another sport.
    I do this sometimes. Its amazing how easy it is to hit a tee. I also do a lot of 1-2 foot putts in my warmup, and then long putts. I dont practice 6 footers etc. Before i play, i only want to be holing putts or getting speed rate.

    I heard ( from Trevino)Jack would do 6 inch putts, when asked why, he said there is no point practicing missing putts before he plays.

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by markTHEblake View Post
    I do this sometimes. Its amazing how easy it is to hit a tee. I also do a lot of 1-2 foot putts in my warmup, and then long putts. I dont practice 6 footers etc. Before i play, i only want to be holing putts or getting speed rate.

    I heard ( from Trevino)Jack would do 6 inch putts, when asked why, he said there is no point practicing missing putts before he plays.
    I'm the same. A bunch of long putts before a round to get the speed, then sinking 3 footers or inside, or hitting at the tee if the practice green is busy.

  24. #24
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    Focused on keeping head still, not looking up until ball at hole….

    Finally beat my handicap. Made 4 birdies, and 3 others just lip out.
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  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by davepuppies View Post
    Focused on keeping head still, not looking up until ball at hole….

    Finally beat my handicap. Made 4 birdies, and 3 others just lip out.
    Good stuff - if you start pulling putts... just tilt that head back a bit.


 

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