Hi Todd, I am an "experienced" golfer that has been playing for over 40 years. I play to about a 12 handicap. The problem is that I should be playing to a 6 or 7! My chipping is bad, but my putting is worse! I shot a decent 84 yesterday and made only 1 putt from the 4' to 6' range (missed 5 or 6). Some days are better, but that seems to be about the norm for me. I'm playing again this morning and hope that the 5 basics tips in set up of putting will improve my putting! I love your teaching style, clear and concise and easily transports to the golf course or practice tee! Thanks again.
Ken, appreciate the post and kind words. Golf is a fun and challenging game to say the least. I dedicated an entire chapter to putting in my book The Bad Lie. You can get it on Amazon. Here is the link if interested www.badliegolfbook.com/
Todd, I totally agree with your general putting approach. The only exception I have found is with a 2 foot putt that your buddies won't give you; in that case I do go straight back for an inch or two and then straight forward to the hole. On those real short putts, that avoids getting your hands into the putt so that the face of the putter doesn't move. I love your videos.
Thanks for posting and the kind words. I have a couple great chapters on putting in my new book The Bad Lie. You can find it on Amazon if interested www.badliegolfbook.com/
Great video. For an inexpensive putter training tool, a golf ball with a circle around it works well. A very cool way to make the circle is to take the lid part that stays on the Gater Aid bottle and simply put it on the golf ball. Trace a line using a sharpie. Perfect circle! Putt trying not to let the circle wobble.
This was one of the best videos on putting I’ve ever seen. Thank you! I have a Black and Decker laser and there is nothing more satisfying than watching the laser stay on that ball! Genius!
Hi again. This is an excellent video for me as I enjoy practicing. I use a aim rod to see the straightness but I’ll try the tee gate. Center I don’t know but rhythm yes. ‘Putter stroke to the hole’ is my motto.
Center of Putter is important on straight putts, but I find on right to left breaking putts to hit a little toward toe toe takes some of break out and same for left to right putts hitting a little more towards the heel.
@@USGOLFTVshow yes I am. I tried your principles on putting, plus got a yard stick. And I'm happy to to say, that I thought my alignment was off, but after practicing what you were teaching, it turns out my follow thru was off. I started sinking putts from 10 ft in and further my ball was getting close on lag putts......PS. I was 11 handicap last Friday but shot the round of my life at Forest Hills golf course, where Bobby Jones started his grand slam in 1930. I shot 73, 1 over, and had 34 on the back side 2 birdies 7 pars.....What a treat....
Thanks this was very helpful. I just wanted to say I think depending on your putters grip size the lead grip may adjust somewhat. I found I need 3 fingers under and one finger down the shaft line. Still this video was very good.
Todd ,I should add two recommendations :1 train with a metronome for tempo 1second back one second through ;2 train each hand separately to develop feel in the hands When you align for the putting stroke ,and you have determined the break(There are different methods for that ), let the hands take over ,they know better .
I have a carpet in the garage that has a texture roughly equal to a fast green, and it is flat. I practice putting to a dime, from 6 to 10 feet. It helps keeping the putter face square. It helps when I practice ;-)
I picked up a Blast Motion Golf sensor recently. It was eye-opening and I'm interested to hear what you think, and how best to use it. In particular, do you agree that the backstroke and the forward stroke should be the same length? (seems to work well, but is it important to do that?) Do you think that perfecting a .6 sec backswing and .3 sec downswing (2 to 1 rhythm) at all distances is an excellent goal for achieving consistency in putting at all distances? Finally, for really LONG putts you must increase your tempo (there is some maximum backswing length). At what point do you make this change, and what rhythm and tempo do you (or the best pro putters) use?
Tough to get a good indication on face angle without high technology. Best bet is to watch the ball role. If the loft is too high the ball will tend to bounce not roll. Very, very seldom do we see a golfer with too little loft, usually too much.
I have a toe weighted blade putter that I love. But, in your video, you recommend an arc stroke as opposed to a straight through motion. I really do not want to use an arc motion and stay with the straight through motion. Any suggestions?
Good question, yes make sure your hands are in a vertical position at address. This will promote your desired straight back straight through motion. Have a great full chapter on this in my book The Bad Lie if you are interested www.badliegolfbook.com/
I found out if you want a perfect strait roll put your ball in the center of your stance club shaft ahead of the ball so it delofts the putter face & here’s the key hold the shaft a little tighter so the club face stays square through impact a light grip going to make the putter face open & close thro impact plus a tighter grip is more stable going back & thro than a weak grip this really helped me putt better than ever before & I believe it will help others also another thing is a must your body got to be square to the target line for a straight true roll.??
I struggle with putting, the face of the putter not aligned well when hitting the ball and often not hitting at the centre of the putter face. You video really helps break down the technique, but just wondering if you could do a video on drills to ensure you hit in the middle of the putter face.
Thanks Bob. I have a full chapter on putting in my new book, The Bad Lie. Here is the Amazon link if you would like to continue learning www.badliegolfbook.com/
A lot of golfers miss short putts (inside 5feet) because their expectations are "I should knock this in" then the subconscious thoughts take over and the putting stroke takes a different line, fix? pick your line and stick with it, commit, walk off the green either holed out or knowing you gave it you best shot, move on. good video lots of invaluable info many thanks
The moving on is the tricky part. Every golfer expects to make the 3-4 footer. Even though tour pros make between 97-99% of them. Your average golfer shooting in the 90s is only making around 80% of them. Yet the mentality remains they all should go in.
Saludos primeramente muy buen video. mi pregunta es tengo un puter de punta equilibrada y siempre e tenido mi swing recto hacia atras y recto al frente con la bola en el medio de mis pies. esto me afecta en algo? es que veo que los puter con punta equibrada son para swing de arco y en lo personal tengo mas control con swing recto aunque NO soy muy bueno haciendo putts. espero me ayudes. muchas gracias
Very good points, with excellent and reasonably priced training aids. I think the rest is just practice. After 4 putting a par 3 the other day, I have hope again!!~
Thanks for the great videos. I'm keying in on my putting over the winter. I've started tracking stats for the last several thousand putts. The device I have for tracking stats gives me "loft change at impact." This is confusing. I get the metric, but from what...from where my setup is. So what is my setup loft. My question is: "Without and expensive piece of equipment like you have, it there a way to determine loft at setup and impact?" I've seen SkyPro which offers this. I was thinking a putting protractor to measure my setup loft and then add the .7 to 1.2 degree increase I'm seeing in my stats. My putter has 3.5 degrees of loft. I guess if I figure 3.5 plus 1.0, I could guess my loft at impact is 4.5. I really don't know that. Any suggestions for measuring this at home? My first thought was if they are going in... I'm OK, but that doesn't mean my distance control is good. Thanks again.
Good questions, there are devices that can tell static loft (loft on the clubface) and impact loft...however as you mentioned the key is loft at impact. That is truly the only loft that matters...tough to track without an expensive device. Check out our putting video with the Pizza slice...that may help.
I've watched several of your videos now and am really impressed with your knowledge. Very few other instructors break putting down into the key components the way you do. As soon as you discussed face angle as the most important element of putting, I knew I would want to see what you had to say.
Appreciate these kind words! Many times golf is made to be too complicated. Simple, to the point ideas/content is key to making real progress. More to come! 👊
Enjoyed your video, very thorough and informative. My question as an 80 year old 10 handicap index, where does your science have you position your eyes compared to the putt line and the body centerline. I wear glasses (of course) and I think I am not seeing the aim line correctly.
Franko, congrats on playing great golf into your 80's....impressive. Your question is a good one, the standard answer is to have the lead eye over the golf ball. However, we have found our players can putt very well from a variety of eye positions. The key is to find the spot where YOU see the line. This is most important. In general, most golfers see the line best with their eyes just inside the ball. Hope that help.
The face control at desired 1 degree .. This is in tune with your other lessons on angles with regard to path and club face. I have suffered an injury that has me hamper to use of 1 arm while I am re covering. I am trying to stay focus by putting left handed only and decided to educate myself on putting as it is often overlooked. You are the only one who has explained in depth about face control. Thanks! Keep it up.@@USGOLFTVshow
Greetings first very good video. my question is I have a balanced tip puter and always had my swing straight back and straight ahead with the ball in the middle of my feet. Does this affect me in something? is that I see that the puter with equibrada tip are for bow swing and personally I have more control with straight swing although I am not very good at putting. I hope you help me. thank you
i was a single digit handicap over 50 years...however I'm 82 now and for the pass 5 years, i developed TREMOURS in my hands. Which means i can only square the club face about 25% in every swing, including putts as short as 3 feet. I welcome any suggestions. Thank you.😎
Ah the short putts. Always a pain. Good vid.Something of interest? I took an old Ram Zebra putter and lengthened it to 38 inches. Removed the soleplate and added 6 large flat washers to the threaded post. Filled the putter head cavity with epoxy and gingerly fit on the plate. Reinstall the four screws (obvious). Left it level in a jig overnight.I call it the Sledgehammer. You can drive spikes into a railway tie with this baby. The actual swing weight is probably in the Z zone.For lag putts this puppy is amazing. No possibility to jab or yip this sucker, it's just too damn heavy. For the shorter stroke, well the jury is still out on that for know. Thanks for the video, must hit the hardware store for that laser.
Put your upper arm against your rib cage and rock your shoulders to make the stroke. Make sure to lock your wrists while doing that, especially the left wrist.
If i taught putting especially to beginners i would review what i think was said by Tom Watson? Use your mind by looking at the put and then get in position but close your eyes. It is most likely you will get closer than all your open eye puts as you relax all notions and let the feel take over your mind remembers. Trust trust trust with visualization and after a while let the mind go there with open eyes to insure great contact but keeping head down and letting the feel go with the ball.
Good question. From a basic concept standpoint we tell new golfers the putter works straight back and straight through, however as the golfer progresses we help them understand the putter actually moves on an arc...make sense?
I recently wqtched a video from Performance Golf Zone entitled "Forget what you've heard about putting". It's about using your wrists more instead of your shoulders and abs. What is your feeling on this and what do you recommend ? Thanks in advance.
Bob Guggenbuehl very interesting...there is a trend in golf right now to allow the hands to be a little more active...years ago this was very common for putting. I like to see a combination of shoulders, arms and hands...this is the best IMO. Don’t be afraid to use the hands a little as it will help your tempo...be sure to let us know how it goes!
They were playing on thicker greens using bamboo shafts in those days with a slice of steel at the end. Which pro these days have you seen using their wrists? I haven't seen any. The Super Stroke Grips are the rage and they help the hands and wrists out of the stroke.
@@USGOLFTVshow Allan Patrick- I’ll try to think about adding power just as I near impact, now that I’m getting in g to the VLS impact pretty well. Thanks. Maybe you can do a video in this.
eddiebro101 my comments referred to an earlier video. The markie is not used for drawing lines but laid behind the putter to improve takeaway and impact. I hope that this clears up any confusion.
Great point, the vast majority of putts have some movement to them...starting the ball on your intended line it important for all putts...thanks for posting!
Well, here's my few cents worth... Biology has evolved us to throw a dart, throw a spear, throw a hoop by concentrating on a target and "feeling" the motion; not by reducing the elements to a multitude of measured variables that need to be consciously controlled or even focussed upon. We should be thinking of target and making a positive strike. That way practice will educate our body to "control" those variables subconsciously from feedback. I'm sure you can get results with reductionalist analysis, but why are we undermining what nature has gifted us? In my opinion putting fundamentals should relate to putting surfaces. For instance, pop putting is clearly better on slower, bumpy greens. that get a lot of traffic. Almost all instruction assumes the world has fast, smooth and true Tour standard putting surfaces? Personally I like to address the ball a little off the toe or the heel depending upon the break. Not so daft when you realise you eliminate the transition this way (the putter never "stops") getting small loop instead if you still strike the sweet spot on the through-swing. It's actually difficult not to hit the sweet spot if just thinking target and speed. Did not Bobby Locke that way and Masters winner Jackie Burke too?
Maurice...great to hear from you...not on a sunny day..best used inside..if you want a laser for outside use look at Wright Putting...he has some good outdoor lasers...more expensive but do work much better...hope all is well and you are getting in some golf!
US GOLF TV good deal! I will look into it. Got out today for some competition golf( 2 Man low score). We won our flight! I have to look back at your ball flight laws vid. I'm struggling with a hook/pull even with making very flush contact.
I wear glasses, and I'm known among my golf partners as a notoriously bad putter. I've been told that I would likely sink more putts without my glasses, but everything looks really fuzzy without my glasses. What are your thoughts on wearing glasses when putting?
I get the idea behind the statement of wanting to make a smooth stroke with a constant speed, however, to say you don't want to accelerate is misleading. It is not physically possible to take the putter back and then from there not have some amount of acceleration as that is the only force which will get the putter moving forward from that position. Maybe you could explain it as a point within the stroke where you no longer accelerate, like maybe two inches behind the ball (you seem to be into the science of it, so perhaps there's a way to measure this).
No, it is not misleading actually. If your acceleration is varying at each putt, you will never have consistent distance control. The days of 7 stimp greens and popping at the ball are long in the past. That was back in the 50's and 60's (shades of Palmer and Player). Just like in a full swing with your irons, the length of the arc is the determinate factor. If you accelerate, how do you do that consistently? If it varies a few mph at impact, you will 3 and 4 putt a lot more greens. How many beginners do you watch blasting the ball 20-30 feet past the cup??? I can take the putter back 4 inches and hit 40-foot putts, or slow down and hit a 4-foot putt. Just like every other shot in the game, distance always outweighs line. The tempo of a 2-foot putt should be the same as that of a 10-foot putt. By staying in a tempo, your acceleration is not varying. The difference is really only how much of a length of an arc of the swing has been chosen. (Your plan.) It is tempo that controls consistency. Then by using the take-a-way itself as the determinate, you can create fairly precise distance control, if you know the speeds of the greens (should be determined during your warm-up). On some days that may mean a 4-inch take-a-way for a 4-foot putt, while on different days that 4-inch take-a-way may result in a 15-foot distance, as the greens change speeds every day ( growth, mowing, rolling, dampness, and wind drying out the surface). Putting is my games best aspect. As a 2 handicap I play with a lot of guys who can play outstanding from tee to green, but because they accelerate like they train to do out on the fairways, they race a lot of putts 10-12 feet past. They 3-putt more often than they ever should simply because of this fact. Truth be told, the tempo of a full 270 carry drive and a 2-foot putt are the same. Which is why many pros speak of maintaining tempo all day long. It controls acceleration. That and the length of the arc they use (partial swings included). But even partial swings use a repetitive tempo (or should, at least). Learn your own comfort tempo (simple trick), and stick with it. Even if it means you must club up or down at times. Tempo is the real key to playing well. It is the true control for repetitive distances.
What was described at about 3:50 of the video was that the stroke should be symmetrical and gliding into the ball. That corresponds to your extra lengthy ramble about tempo. I already understood that. What I am talking about is that from the point that the putter is fully at its backswing and starts to move forward (change of direction) you have to use acceleration to make that move. I didn't describe how much acceleration was necessary or whether it varied from putt to putt. I only stated that it is the necessary force to move the putter from the backswing to the downswing. What is then described in the video (4:20) is an analogy of a car in motion and the speed not changing. Well, a car that starts from a stop (top of the backswing) has to accelerate to reach the speed you're wanting it to level out at and at some point you take your foot off the gas. That point is the only thing I was referring to as it relates to the swing of the putt itself. If the putter is to no longer be accelerating as it approaches the ball, when does that happen? At what distance from the ball? All I wondered was whether that was something that the video maker had measured.
If I could reliably make a four foot putt, I'd be dangerous on the golf course. I typically shoot mid to low 80s with almost always over 36 putts. It's terrible. I've missed putts inside a foot in competition.
The part that these so-called experts do not understand is that putting has two distinct methodologies. When doing repeat practicing "TIMING" takes over just like it does on the driving range. You just make everything. And the timing is gone 5 minutes after you leave the practice session. Next time out you will most likely putt like a schlump again. This is why Tiger works so hard on his "right hand only" drill and Ben Crenshaw wants the putter ready to fall out of your hands. By learning to fully "RELEASE" the putter to itself you put it into it's own inertia. Balance of the putter becomes very important. And under it's own inertial and good putter balance there is no timing. The putter head tends to take the player out of the putt and align ITSELF to the required specs if you just keep your head still {don't peek). As Tiger says today, "I still have good hands on the putter". Look at John Daly. He may have the best hands in golf. He just allows that putter to float like a butterfly off of soft hands. And it comes to looking at the target all by itself. I personally make 100 in row with my tight hand only from six feet just like Tiger. That is because I get that thing fully released and it just lines itself up time after time. Tiger claims his own son has a marvelous release. Tiger seems proud of that.
Take the wrists out, elbows in, swing freely, left hand guide, right hand power, learn how to read a green….practice enough to gain confidence…40% + of the strokes in a round are putts.
There's three equally important parts to putting. (1) The correct read of the green. (2) The line the putt is rolled on, based on that correct read. (3) The speed the ball based on the correct read of the putt. Get one of those wrong, and the other two correct, the golfer will still miss the putt. It's been that way for 50+ years that I know of.
mikeosmith, rick have you ever measured your putter face when putting? you miss a lot of putts to your left, just saying. you have a great blog. keep strong.
I don't know why I watch any of these videos. I have tried everything, and I am hopeless. These golfers can teach direction, they can't teach distance/weight
There is no real proper setup. Its different for everyone based on height, grip, wrist or arms, wrist set, etc. Why would you change your way of putting to suit a new putter? Ridiculous.
Hi Todd, I am an "experienced" golfer that has been playing for over 40 years. I play to about a 12 handicap. The problem is that I should be playing to a 6 or 7! My chipping is bad, but my putting is worse! I shot a decent 84 yesterday and made only 1 putt from the 4' to 6' range (missed 5 or 6). Some days are better, but that seems to be about the norm for me. I'm playing again this morning and hope that the 5 basics tips in set up of putting will improve my putting! I love your teaching style, clear and concise and easily transports to the golf course or practice tee! Thanks again.
Ken, appreciate the post and kind words. Golf is a fun and challenging game to say the least. I dedicated an entire chapter to putting in my book The Bad Lie. You can get it on Amazon. Here is the link if interested www.badliegolfbook.com/
Todd, I totally agree with your general putting approach. The only exception I have found is with a 2 foot putt that your buddies won't give you; in that case I do go straight back for an inch or two and then straight forward to the hole. On those real short putts, that avoids getting your hands into the putt so that the face of the putter doesn't move. I love your videos.
Thanks for posting and the kind words. I have a couple great chapters on putting in my new book The Bad Lie. You can find it on Amazon if interested www.badliegolfbook.com/
Great video. For an inexpensive putter training tool, a golf ball with a circle around it works well. A very cool way to make the circle is to take the lid part that stays on the Gater Aid bottle and simply put it on the golf ball. Trace a line using a sharpie. Perfect circle! Putt trying not to let the circle wobble.
This was one of the best videos on putting I’ve ever seen. Thank you! I have a Black and Decker laser and there is nothing more satisfying than watching the laser stay on that ball! Genius!
You got it! Thanks for posting, hope you subscribed 👊
Hi again. This is an excellent video for me as I enjoy practicing. I use a aim rod to see the straightness but I’ll try the tee gate. Center I don’t know but rhythm yes. ‘Putter stroke to the hole’ is my motto.
Linda, you got this! Appreciate you posting....
I made two of them today out of welding rods .
Can't wait to try them out. 👏👏👏👍
Great video my short game coach agrees with this totally👍. thanks Todd
Another great lesson. thanks Todd- Rich from Forida.
Thanks! Did you catch this video we did just a few days ago ruclips.net/video/gue6eHQXSNQ/видео.htmlsi=RV_vCtKE70NNlogr
Center of Putter is important on straight putts, but I find on right to left breaking putts to hit a little toward toe toe takes some of break out and same for left to right putts hitting a little more towards the heel.
Allan Patrick - great stuff Todd. Thanks.
Thank you Todd, eye opener video
Appreciate the kind words. Are you a subscriber?
@@USGOLFTVshow yes I am. I tried your principles on putting, plus got a yard stick. And I'm happy to to say, that I thought my alignment was off, but after practicing what you were teaching, it turns out my follow thru was off. I started sinking putts from 10 ft in and further my ball was getting close on lag putts......PS. I was 11 handicap last Friday but shot the round of my life at Forest Hills golf course, where Bobby Jones started his grand slam in 1930. I shot 73, 1 over, and had 34 on the back side 2 birdies 7 pars.....What a treat....
Thanks this was very helpful. I just wanted to say I think depending on your putters grip size the lead grip may adjust somewhat. I found I need 3 fingers under and one finger down the shaft line. Still this video was very good.
excellent advice!
Glad you think so!
Great video. How do I ensure good roll on the ball when I putt? Thanks.
Here you go ruclips.net/video/vQtlmnz-dy8/видео.html
Todd ,I should add two recommendations :1 train with a metronome for tempo 1second back one second through ;2 train each hand separately to develop feel in the hands When you align for the putting stroke ,and you have determined the break(There are different methods for that ), let the hands take over ,they know better .
Raymond...wow..great post....the metronome is a top notch idea! Have you used this drill for awhile?
Ray realy good idear to create rhythm in the stroke must try it but as a golfing drummer i think it best to keep it to two beats!
Great video. These are the points I need to help me practice. Thanks, Todd.
You got it...what other topics would you like to see us cover?
I have a carpet in the garage that has a texture roughly equal to a fast green, and it is flat. I practice putting to a dime, from 6 to 10 feet. It helps keeping the putter face square. It helps when I practice ;-)
I picked up a Blast Motion Golf sensor recently. It was eye-opening and I'm interested to hear what you think, and how best to use it. In particular, do you agree that the backstroke and the forward stroke should be the same length? (seems to work well, but is it important to do that?) Do you think that perfecting a .6 sec backswing and .3 sec downswing (2 to 1 rhythm) at all distances is an excellent goal for achieving consistency in putting at all distances? Finally, for really LONG putts you must increase your tempo (there is some maximum backswing length). At what point do you make this change, and what rhythm and tempo do you (or the best pro putters) use?
Great tips to be better, thanks.
Rene Encinas thank you! Which part did you find the most important?
Watched several of your videos. Excellent tips, can't wait to try them out.
Helpful information
This is a
This is great Todd but when do you get a straight put on any green. That’s what I fall down on.
Good stuff. How do you measure face angle? I use Blast but wonder how accurate it is, for face and tempo/ speed? Any comments?
Tough to get a good indication on face angle without high technology. Best bet is to watch the ball role. If the loft is too high the ball will tend to bounce not roll. Very, very seldom do we see a golfer with too little loft, usually too much.
Thanks for sharing
I have a toe weighted blade putter that I love. But, in your video, you recommend an arc stroke as opposed to a straight through motion. I really do not want to use an arc motion and stay with the straight through motion. Any suggestions?
Good question, yes make sure your hands are in a vertical position at address. This will promote your desired straight back straight through motion. Have a great full chapter on this in my book The Bad Lie if you are interested www.badliegolfbook.com/
Hopefully some of these drills help me out. Last round I played I had 14 birdie putts and didn’t get a single one to fall with 3 bogies. Had 4 lip out
Very helpful videos, good content, nicely explained. Thanks for the videos.
Vinod Soni thanks for watching and the kind words! We do our best to provide golfers with the best information we can provide. Hope you subscribed!
I found out if you want a perfect strait roll put your ball in the center of your stance club shaft ahead of the ball so it delofts the putter face & here’s the key hold the shaft a little tighter so the club face stays square through impact a light grip going to make the putter face open & close thro impact plus a tighter grip is more stable going back & thro than a weak grip this really helped me putt better than ever before & I believe it will help others also another thing is a must your body got to be square to the target line for a straight true roll.??
Larry Westbrook interesting stuff! Table for sharing your experience! Hope the info helps your game..
Thanks my question is you are using a blade putter what about a mallet with a wide sole that requires a more upright setup?
You can always cut the shaft or bend the lie angle of your putter to make it fit your physique better.
I struggle with putting, the face of the putter not aligned well when hitting the ball and often not hitting at the centre of the putter face. You video really helps break down the technique, but just wondering if you could do a video on drills to ensure you hit in the middle of the putter face.
all the information is awesome, but how does one effectively read a green
Great video
Thanks Bob. I have a full chapter on putting in my new book, The Bad Lie. Here is the Amazon link if you would like to continue learning www.badliegolfbook.com/
I shot par for 9 holes with 11 puts, I love the drills
Patrick Turlan thanks!! Made our day...anytime we can help our fellow golfers it is a good day. Which drill did you find the most helpful?
Wow what great info
Richard, thank you. Any other topics we should cover?
A lot of golfers miss short putts (inside 5feet) because their expectations are "I should knock this in" then the subconscious thoughts take over and the putting stroke takes a different line, fix? pick your line and stick with it, commit, walk off the green either holed out or knowing you gave it you best shot, move on. good video lots of invaluable info many thanks
Bob thanks for watching. the kind words and taking time to comment....good stuff!
The moving on is the tricky part. Every golfer expects to make the 3-4 footer. Even though tour pros make between 97-99% of them. Your average golfer shooting in the 90s is only making around 80% of them. Yet the mentality remains they all should go in.
Todd do you recommend putting with the pin in or out
In on long distance, out on short distances. Good question.
Saludos primeramente muy buen video. mi pregunta es tengo un puter de punta equilibrada y siempre e tenido mi swing recto hacia atras y recto al frente con la bola en el medio de mis pies. esto me afecta en algo? es que veo que los puter con punta equibrada son para swing de arco y en lo personal tengo mas control con swing recto aunque NO soy muy bueno haciendo putts. espero me ayudes. muchas gracias
Very good points, with excellent and reasonably priced training aids. I think the rest is just practice. After 4 putting a par 3 the other day, I have hope again!!~
Peter Dunn agree! Many of the best training aids are not expensive. Do you have a favorite?
Thanks for the great videos. I'm keying in on my putting over the winter. I've started tracking stats for the last several thousand putts. The device I have for tracking stats gives me "loft change at impact." This is confusing. I get the metric, but from what...from where my setup is. So what is my setup loft.
My question is: "Without and expensive piece of equipment like you have, it there a way to determine loft at setup and impact?"
I've seen SkyPro which offers this. I was thinking a putting protractor to measure my setup loft and then add the .7 to 1.2 degree increase I'm seeing in my stats. My putter has 3.5 degrees of loft. I guess if I figure 3.5 plus 1.0, I could guess my loft at impact is 4.5. I really don't know that. Any suggestions for measuring this at home? My first thought was if they are going in... I'm OK, but that doesn't mean my distance control is good. Thanks again.
Good questions, there are devices that can tell static loft (loft on the clubface) and impact loft...however as you mentioned the key is loft at impact. That is truly the only loft that matters...tough to track without an expensive device. Check out our putting video with the Pizza slice...that may help.
@@USGOLFTVshow Thank you! I'll check it out again. I appreciate your advice and videos.
I've watched several of your videos now and am really impressed with your knowledge. Very few other instructors break putting down into the key components the way you do. As soon as you discussed face angle as the most important element of putting, I knew I would want to see what you had to say.
Appreciate these kind words! Many times golf is made to be too complicated. Simple, to the point ideas/content is key to making real progress. More to come! 👊
Enjoyed your video, very thorough and informative. My question as an 80 year old 10 handicap index, where does your science have you position your eyes compared to the putt line and the body centerline. I wear glasses (of course) and I think I am not seeing the aim line correctly.
Franko, congrats on playing great golf into your 80's....impressive. Your question is a good one, the standard answer is to have the lead eye over the golf ball. However, we have found our players can putt very well from a variety of eye positions. The key is to find the spot where YOU see the line. This is most important. In general, most golfers see the line best with their eyes just inside the ball. Hope that help.
Great stuff, info, drills, all back up by data.
Bourne Jerz our pleasure! Thank you for watching and commenting. What info did you find the most beneficial?
The face control at desired 1 degree .. This is in tune with your other lessons on angles with regard to path and club face. I have suffered an injury that has me hamper to use of 1 arm while I am re covering. I am trying to stay focus by putting left handed only and decided to educate myself on putting as it is often overlooked. You are the only one who has explained in depth about face control. Thanks! Keep it up.@@USGOLFTVshow
Great video. Putting is the weakest part of my game. I will be using these on the practice greens
Frank...thanks for the comment and watching...these tips will help your game for sure...let us know which one was the best...will be curious..
Very interesting
Greetings first very good video. my question is I have a balanced tip puter and always had my swing straight back and straight ahead with the ball in the middle of my feet. Does this affect me in something? is that I see that the puter with equibrada tip are for bow swing and personally I have more control with straight swing although I am not very good at putting. I hope you help me. thank you
Helpful
Thanks! Have you seen our new book www.badliegolfbook.com/
A great list to work on. Thanks!
Rajesh Marfatia our pleasure! Thanks for watching
i was a single digit handicap over 50 years...however I'm 82 now and for the pass 5 years, i developed TREMOURS in my hands. Which means i can only square the club face about 25% in every swing, including putts as short as 3 feet. I welcome any suggestions. Thank you.😎
Thank you for asking. Watch this video as it will provide some ideas ruclips.net/video/OriUHp4mkv8/видео.htmlsi=K6herdL_NyncY2ye
In KC USA snowed three inches last night having to putt harder than usual to get thru snow
LOL, here is another alternative ruclips.net/video/Q5t1aimj12E/видео.htmlsi=gliVr5KSGy_nPiwT
Ah the short putts. Always a pain. Good vid.Something of interest? I took an old Ram Zebra putter and lengthened it to 38 inches. Removed the soleplate and added 6 large flat washers to the threaded post. Filled the putter head cavity with epoxy and gingerly fit on the plate. Reinstall the four screws (obvious). Left it level in a jig overnight.I call it the Sledgehammer. You can drive spikes into a railway tie with this baby. The actual swing weight is probably in the Z zone.For lag putts this puppy is amazing. No possibility to jab or yip this sucker, it's just too damn heavy. For the shorter stroke, well the jury is still out on that for know. Thanks for the video, must hit the hardware store for that laser.
Fantastic
I use a thread/string from my setup to the hole as a guide.
michael fujiwara great drill! Thanks for sharing and adding to the conversation...good stuff. 👊
I enjoyed that video, lots to go and practice with, and the tools are so simple to use. 👏👏👏
Brendan...thanks for watching and the kind words..hope the information helps your game! More good videos to come this summer.
Good stuff 👍
Paul Barrett thanks! What was the most helpful information for you?
Just the last few weeks have started missing 1 foot putts! Any advice. Please
Miriam Dalglish the key to short putting is the start line...focus on the 2-3 inches in front of your ball. Be sure to let us know how it goes 😂
@@USGOLFTVshow Many thanks will try that this morning and thanks for your prompt reply
2 to 3 inches in front of the ball works. Thanks a million😊
This program is great
Thanks for your really helpful videos
You bet...our pleasure! Thank you for watching and taking the time to post...much appreciated...hope you subscribed!
My problem is I take the putter back outside the line causing me to slice across the ball on the way back through. Do you have a tip to fix this?
Put your upper arm against your rib cage and rock your shoulders to make the stroke. Make sure to lock your wrists while doing that, especially the left wrist.
Can someone please tell me what kind of putter his using? Thx in advance!
It is an older Point and Putt model...
@@USGOLFTVshow Really like the look of that one...But seems impossible to find here in Sweden. Thank´s for your reply!
Good solid basics! Thank you.
Steve Polverini our pleasure! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment...hope it helps the game. 👍
If i taught putting especially to beginners i would review what i think was said by Tom Watson? Use your mind by looking at the put and then get in position but close your eyes. It is most likely you will get closer than all your open eye puts as you relax all notions and let the feel take over your mind remembers. Trust trust trust with visualization and after a while let the mind go there with open eyes to insure great contact but keeping head down and letting the feel go with the ball.
Tom Watson is a legend.....
Fanatics,I really enjoyed the tips and hope they work for me.
Jacob....our pleasure! Thank you for watching and taking time to comment...hope the information improves your putting!
Don’t understand your point about straight back given your other video about the pizza drill..please clarify
Good question. From a basic concept standpoint we tell new golfers the putter works straight back and straight through, however as the golfer progresses we help them understand the putter actually moves on an arc...make sense?
@@USGOLFTVshow yes. The pen drill made a huge difference. Thanks
Again, what about left hand low?
Yes your videos is good information keep um coming.
Larry Westbrook thank you! Much appreciated...more good stuff to come!
great tip
Awesome video with great drills on putting...
love it!!
Thank you..
JP-KEYZ SA Our pleasure...what drill did you find the most helpful?
US GOLF TV all 5 !!!
cause putting seems to be my problem but with these drills I know I'll lower my score ..
Thank you
That was a great video
Don Graven thanks!! Now it’s time to roll in a few more putts....thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!
I recently wqtched a video from Performance Golf Zone entitled "Forget what you've heard about putting". It's about using your wrists more instead of your shoulders and abs. What is your feeling on this and what do you recommend ?
Thanks in advance.
Bob Guggenbuehl very interesting...there is a trend in golf right now to allow the hands to be a little more active...years ago this was very common for putting. I like to see a combination of shoulders, arms and hands...this is the best IMO. Don’t be afraid to use the hands a little as it will help your tempo...be sure to let us know how it goes!
They were playing on thicker greens using bamboo shafts in those days with a slice of steel at the end. Which pro these days have you seen using their wrists? I haven't seen any. The Super Stroke Grips are the rage and they help the hands and wrists out of the stroke.
good video
To the point, enjoyed your tips
Thanks for watching Rick! Which tip do you think will help your game most?
Thanks very much
renzo gam8jg Hij our pleasure!! Thank you for watching and taking time to comment!
How is power generated in the swing?
Combination of arms, wrists and a little bit of shoulders.
@@USGOLFTVshow Allan Patrick- I’ll try to think about adding power just as I near impact, now that I’m getting in g to the VLS impact pretty well. Thanks. Maybe you can do a video in this.
Good vid with some great tips.
By the way your suggestion to practice putting using a markie pen really works well.
Thanks
Davis...awesome! Thanks for letting us know...much appreciated!
How do I determine what degree my putter is off line, when I strike a putt. I have a 30 degree toe hang putter. Thanks
James..tough to tell without measure with a device like Quintic..however, if you are 1 degree off you will start to miss at 8 feet..hope that helps.
A simple builder's chalk-line leaves colored dust that washes away... meaning no lasting marks left behind when you finish practicing.
eddiebro101 my comments referred to an earlier video.
The markie is not used for drawing lines but laid behind the putter to improve takeaway and impact.
I hope that this clears up any confusion.
How many putts on your local golf course are on a straight line, probably less than half at my course , on the green in 3, and down in 6 lol
Great point, the vast majority of putts have some movement to them...starting the ball on your intended line it important for all putts...thanks for posting!
@@USGOLFTVshow you still need to keep the putter face square to the line you are starting the ball
Yes, I’m going to try that home that laser.
LizMcNamara47 the laser is a great drill and can help in many many ways...
Well, here's my few cents worth...
Biology has evolved us to throw a dart, throw a spear, throw a hoop by concentrating on a target and "feeling" the motion; not by reducing the elements to a multitude of measured variables that need to be consciously controlled or even focussed upon.
We should be thinking of target and making a positive strike. That way practice will educate our body to "control" those variables subconsciously from feedback. I'm sure you can get results with reductionalist analysis, but why are we undermining what nature has gifted us?
In my opinion putting fundamentals should relate to putting surfaces. For instance, pop putting is clearly better on slower, bumpy greens. that get a lot of traffic.
Almost all instruction assumes the world has fast, smooth and true Tour standard putting surfaces?
Personally I like to address the ball a little off the toe or the heel depending upon the break. Not so daft when you realise you eliminate the transition this way (the putter never "stops") getting small loop instead if you still strike the sweet spot on the through-swing. It's actually difficult not to hit the sweet spot if just thinking target and speed. Did not Bobby Locke that way and Masters winner Jackie Burke too?
The laser from hardware store you suggested, will that work on sunny days outside as well?
Maurice...great to hear from you...not on a sunny day..best used inside..if you want a laser for outside use look at Wright Putting...he has some good outdoor lasers...more expensive but do work much better...hope all is well and you are getting in some golf!
US GOLF TV good deal! I will look into it. Got out today for some competition golf( 2 Man low score). We won our flight! I have to look back at your ball flight laws vid. I'm struggling with a hook/pull even with making very flush contact.
Jessica christensen
Just do what I do. Start at 2 feet and work your way back... Learn your putter! Plus know your greens speed
Most public greens are 9-10 on the stimpmeter. Tour greens are mostly 11-12. Augusta is 20 lol
I put tees from 6 feet and 12 feet and made 50 from each then 25 feet I did this for 5 days , I feel I can make everything
Patrick Turlan great drill..thanks for sharing!
I just watched this video for the 3rd time. Reinforcement.
You got this 👊
I wear glasses, and I'm known among my golf partners as a notoriously bad putter. I've been told that I would likely sink more putts without my glasses, but everything looks really fuzzy without my glasses. What are your thoughts on wearing glasses when putting?
Depends on the type of glasses
I thought we also need to accelerate our stroking in putting.
Win Zaw good question...you want the putter maintaining a consistent pace coming into impact....
I get the idea behind the statement of wanting to make a smooth stroke with a constant speed, however, to say you don't want to accelerate is misleading. It is not physically possible to take the putter back and then from there not have some amount of acceleration as that is the only force which will get the putter moving forward from that position. Maybe you could explain it as a point within the stroke where you no longer accelerate, like maybe two inches behind the ball (you seem to be into the science of it, so perhaps there's a way to measure this).
No, it is not misleading actually. If your acceleration is varying at each putt, you will never have consistent distance control. The days of 7 stimp greens and popping at the ball are long in the past. That was back in the 50's and 60's (shades of Palmer and Player). Just like in a full swing with your irons, the length of the arc is the determinate factor. If you accelerate, how do you do that consistently? If it varies a few mph at impact, you will 3 and 4 putt a lot more greens. How many beginners do you watch blasting the ball 20-30 feet past the cup??? I can take the putter back 4 inches and hit 40-foot putts, or slow down and hit a 4-foot putt. Just like every other shot in the game, distance always outweighs line. The tempo of a 2-foot putt should be the same as that of a 10-foot putt. By staying in a tempo, your acceleration is not varying. The difference is really only how much of a length of an arc of the swing has been chosen. (Your plan.) It is tempo that controls consistency. Then by using the take-a-way itself as the determinate, you can create fairly precise distance control, if you know the speeds of the greens (should be determined during your warm-up). On some days that may mean a 4-inch take-a-way for a 4-foot putt, while on different days that 4-inch take-a-way may result in a 15-foot distance, as the greens change speeds every day ( growth, mowing, rolling, dampness, and wind drying out the surface). Putting is my games best aspect. As a 2 handicap I play with a lot of guys who can play outstanding from tee to green, but because they accelerate like they train to do out on the fairways, they race a lot of putts 10-12 feet past. They 3-putt more often than they ever should simply because of this fact. Truth be told, the tempo of a full 270 carry drive and a 2-foot putt are the same. Which is why many pros speak of maintaining tempo all day long. It controls acceleration. That and the length of the arc they use (partial swings included). But even partial swings use a repetitive tempo (or should, at least). Learn your own comfort tempo (simple trick), and stick with it. Even if it means you must club up or down at times. Tempo is the real key to playing well. It is the true control for repetitive distances.
What was described at about 3:50 of the video was that the stroke should be symmetrical and gliding into the ball. That corresponds to your extra lengthy ramble about tempo. I already understood that. What I am talking about is that from the point that the putter is fully at its backswing and starts to move forward (change of direction) you have to use acceleration to make that move. I didn't describe how much acceleration was necessary or whether it varied from putt to putt. I only stated that it is the necessary force to move the putter from the backswing to the downswing. What is then described in the video (4:20) is an analogy of a car in motion and the speed not changing. Well, a car that starts from a stop (top of the backswing) has to accelerate to reach the speed you're wanting it to level out at and at some point you take your foot off the gas. That point is the only thing I was referring to as it relates to the swing of the putt itself. If the putter is to no longer be accelerating as it approaches the ball, when does that happen? At what distance from the ball? All I wondered was whether that was something that the video maker had measured.
I love putting and I am good at it. But,,,,, I love to watch video to get even better or perhaps learn other techniques. Spider Dubiel
Joseph Dubiel you got it! 👊 We can always improve...hope this information helps
If I could reliably make a four foot putt, I'd be dangerous on the golf course. I typically shoot mid to low 80s with almost always over 36 putts. It's terrible. I've missed putts inside a foot in competition.
The part that these so-called experts do not understand is that putting has two distinct methodologies. When doing repeat practicing "TIMING" takes over just like it does on the driving range. You just make everything. And the timing is gone 5 minutes after you leave the practice session. Next time out you will most likely putt like a schlump again. This is why Tiger works so hard on his "right hand only" drill and Ben Crenshaw wants the putter ready to fall out of your hands. By learning to fully "RELEASE" the putter to itself you put it into it's own inertia. Balance of the putter becomes very important. And under it's own inertial and good putter balance there is no timing. The putter head tends to take the player out of the putt and align ITSELF to the required specs if you just keep your head still {don't peek). As Tiger says today, "I still have good hands on the putter". Look at John Daly. He may have the best hands in golf. He just allows that putter to float like a butterfly off of soft hands. And it comes to looking at the target all by itself. I personally make 100 in row with my tight hand only from six feet just like Tiger. That is because I get that thing fully released and it just lines itself up time after time. Tiger claims his own son has a marvelous release. Tiger seems proud of that.
B
Take the wrists out, elbows in, swing freely, left hand guide, right hand power, learn how to read a green….practice enough to gain confidence…40% + of the strokes in a round are putts.
There's three equally important parts to putting. (1) The correct read of the green. (2) The line the putt is rolled on, based on that correct read. (3) The speed the ball based on the correct read of the putt. Get one of those wrong, and the other two correct, the golfer will still miss the putt. It's been that way for 50+ years that I know of.
Jack Mehoff you speak the truth. Solid post! Thanks for adding to the conversation...👍
👏👏👏👍
mikeosmith, rick have you ever measured your putter face when putting? you miss a lot of putts to your left, just saying. you have a great blog. keep strong.
I just had 43 putts on my last round. So disappointing. Tomorrow I am going to practice these drills so that doesn’t happen again.
Yu got this! Be sure to let us know how it goes. 👊
If you're practicing at home, what I do is get two medicine bottles and fill them with pennies and make a gate with that
I don't know why I watch any of these videos. I have tried everything, and I am hopeless. These golfers can teach direction, they can't teach distance/weight
Simon Hornby good question...I will let our content team know and see if we can do a video on distance control
... distance control. Just like every other shot in golf.
eddiebro101 you bet!!
There is no real proper setup. Its different for everyone based on height, grip, wrist or arms, wrist set, etc. Why would you change your way of putting to suit a new putter? Ridiculous.
Appreciate you watching and sharing your thoughts. The premise of the video is to provide a general guideline for the average golfer.
Cut out all commercials and bs would make this video easier to remember. To the point please...
people have to eat