Im an 8 handicap golfer but my putting hasnt been very good. What are some helpful tips?

Question

Im an 8 handicap golfer but my putting hasnt been very good. What are some helpful tips?

Answer 1

it depends on what greens your playing on, at my current course i cant putt for love nor money, but i played the belfry on friday and did not miss a putt from 10 foot. The greens were just so so so fast and true.

One of the things which i believe can help is to to find a straight putt on a putting green, then place 2 tee pegs on each side of the putter and putt through this 'gate' and your putting will improve, try it from about 3 feet and see if you can make 50 in a row, my record is 89.

Answer 2

It all depends what you are doing.  A couple of tips.  Your putting stroke should mimic your full swing.  If you have a slow swing use a slow puttting stroke.  Keep your head still, this will keep your body quiet.  When you practice don't look up until you hear the ball drop in the hole.  Make sure you grip is light and your hands work as one - experiment with different grips.  Anything goes with putting.  Lastly, if all else fails, try putting with your left hand low (if you are right handed).

Answer 3

Alignment is key with all shots, including putting.  Make sure your eyes are still over the ball.  You might have shifted too close or too far from the ball, this will also change your hand position and the consequent path of the putter going back.  Check your alignment first, it can correct a lot of things.

Answer 4

I live in the midwest so I haven't played very often since early November.  I putt in my home just on the carpet; no such putting apparatus.  Keep your head still and wrists firm.  No flopping.  Use the name of the ball to line up your putts and a back and forth motion.

Answer 5

Dave Pelz putting bible, that will fix anybodys putting, the best putting instructor out there, hands down, go on line and download.

Answer 6

Niles -

There are a million things you could try...but I'll just keep it simple and give you one that helps me when my putting takes a turn for the worse.

Try to keep the grip more in the lifeline of your left hand, and try to match the angle of the shaft with the index finger of your left hand.

Basically what this does is put the putter more in line with the angle of your left forearm.....by doing this it's easier to make a pendulum motion.

Try this and see what happens!

And don't forget to practice...

Good Luck!

Answer 7

Consider taking up darts or bowling.

Answer 8

I read an article once about the best player in Michigan .. he said he never considered himself a very good putter until for 2 weeks he practiced nothing but putting for no less than 5 hours a day.

Ive heard of Phil Mickelson making 100 putts inside 10 feet every day .. and if he misses one he starts over till he makes 100 in a row.

You also have to look at technology. Make sure you have the correct putter for your stroke. Speak to someone very knowledgable about putters, and you'd be suprised on how everything in your stroke determines what putter you should have. (ie . forward press -> have an offset face)

As far as basic tips, the best one I ever got was to keep the putter as low as possible on the back stroke, and keep it low on the way through. Make sure your hands start slightly ahead of the ball, and keep your body still.

Answer 9

get a belly putter or extended putter,keep wrist from bending, and keep your head down till you hear the ball drop in or just keep it down till there's no way it can interfere with your shot

Answer 10

I was once in a similar situation; 8 handicap and my putting needing work. After a lot of practice I cut my handicap in half and I would be glad to share my tips with you.  

     First, put down the irons and woods and actually spend practice time around the putting green. If you can’t morally justify this, imagine you are a pro golfer. You shoot an even 72 and two put every hole. That means putting is 50% of your game! So the first thing is practice it. Wheather it is at your club, at the public course, or on one of those articficial roll up putting things, just hit a lot of putts!

      This next step was the hardest for me. I had to tell my instructor that I wanted my next few lessons to be solely on putting. Needless to say we were both bored. However, we made up fun games to keep it interesting. For example, loser does 20 pushups or winner gets 5 bucks. Just small little bets to keep the pressure and concentration going. If you were to divide up your practice sessions they should be something like this: 25% long game, 25% short game excluding putting, and then 50% putting.

      Lastly, your goal should be to avoid 3 putts at all costs. To do this I suggest you go to your local practice green and putt balls from the farthest parts of the green and try and make it in, in two strokes. If it’s the 4-5 footers that you get the yips on then I suggest a game called draw back. In this game you take a put anywhere from 10-30 feet. Then if you miss you draw the ball back one club length and the farthest direction from the hole.

    If your problem is mechanics I can not help you there. Nonetheless, any good instructor will be able to quickly fix things like that.



Good Luck!

Answer 11

I'm a 4 and have streaky putting myself. KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN!!!!!....I'm telling you, it's so easy to peak. Don't. You'll be amazed at how much better and truer you will putt the ball. A good drill is to practice with a coin near the ball, make your putt, count 1-2 looking at the coin, then look at the ball. Works for me pal. Good luck!