Putting question?

Question

Any tips? I cant seem to learn to control the power - I either hit it too slow or too fast.

Like today, i took 2 to get to the green, and then 4 to actually get the ball into the hole!!

Answer 1

This drill has really helped me control my speed:

Put on tee one foot away from the hole, then a second tee two feet away from the hole, a third tee three feet away from the hole, a fourth tee four feet away from the hole, a fifth tee five feet away from the hole, a sixth tee six feet away from the hole, a seventh tee seven feet away from the hole, an eighth tee eight feet away from the hole, a ninth tee nine feet away from the hole, and a tenth tee ten feet away from the hole.  Put these tees in a direct straight line away from the hole preferably on a flat putting surface.  You have to make 5 balls from each tee starting with the tee one foot away and if you miss even one ball you have to start over.  Once you have mastered this drill, you will be shooting in the low 70s.

Also for longer putts, practice looking at the hole when putting  the ball.

Answer 2

Go to the practice putting green to get an idea of how fast the greens are moving.  You want to take the putter straight back and straight forward. Take practice strokes prior to putting the ball.  You have to practice putting as much as the other parts of your game.  That is the way you get better.  Practice putting from 3 feet.  That is the typical length of a par putt after reaching the green in regulation and putting for birdie.

Answer 3

try practicing putting while looking at the cup instead of the ball.  I always begin by taking a few practice strokes beside the ball while looking at either the cup or where I want to hit it to.  Its all about feel and you've just got to practice it.

Answer 4

Do not go play mini-golf.  The greens are fast and very inconsistent, which is the exact opposite of what you need.  The most likely cause for the lack of control on the greens is deceleration.  This happens when you take your putter back longer than you need to and then attempt to slow it down as you near the ball.  Take it from a recovering decelerator, go to the nearest halfway decent putting green and work on taking the putter back half as far as you think you need to and really accelerating through the ball.  It will feel weird at first, but its guess and check and you'll get use to it.

Answer 5

this answer wont be that helpfull but you just have to get out there and feel out what works for you. go play mini golf

Answer 6

I really should start keeping this a secret because every time I tell someone I find myself paying them in the end.  This works better than anything you will ever try.  While making your putting stroke just imagine that your right hand (if right handed golfer) is throwing a golf ball into the hole.  However strong a throw your mind thinks it would take is how firmly you will strike the golf ball and you will make a ton of putts.

As far as reading the line goes, I prefer to start at the hole and visualize the break backwards to the ball.  Then pick a spot 3-6 inches in front of your ball that will put it on that line.  Setup aiming at that spot and don't change it when your over the ball!  Then look up at the cup and use my tossing the ball into the hole visualization and you will improve greatly; I guarantee it.

Answer 7

On the practice green, try putting with your eyes closed and guessing if you hit it to far or two short.  Gets you to feel what real distance is -- and isnt!

Answer 8

You should first make sure that your putting swing has tempo.  Practice establishing a consistent tempo and speed.

Secondly, your back-swing and forward-swing should be identical in length.

Thirdly, establish consistent lengths of back and forward swings and match those to the length of the putt, also considering the firmness and speed of the greens, and whether you are putting uphill, downhill or on a level surface.

Answer 9

I'm tempted to say use the hockey stick (like Gilmore). Putting is anything but technical. I used to be a very good putter when I play more often and my handicap is down. I used to play pool and snooker, and I think those games help a little in term of judging the speed of the ball (and sometimes the line too).

It seems you can read the green pretty well but having problems on the speed of the putting.

There're only two things that influence the ball on the putting green; the slope and the grass. I played more than 25 years of golf in many countries and many golf courses, and throughout those times I found that slope influences the ball more than grass, especially of course on the hilly golf courses.

Then again, the speed and the line do come to gether; for example, if you're putting the shot with higher speed the ball tends to cut through the line and hence there'll less line to give, and vice versa.

What I do in putting is that I pick an imaginary spot where I want may ball to come to rest. If the hole is uphill, I pick a spot just beyond the hole, and the other way round before the hole on the down hill put. If the slope is sideway from right to left, I pick a spot to the right of the hole and vice versa, on the left if the slope goes left to right.

Then, how do I know my putting strength? I need to practice lots and lots. Everywhere I can. In my office on the office carpet, at home on the carpet. If you don't have the carpet, buy the putting carpet, which is quite cheap.

One more tips, I have about 50 putters. I use the heavy one on the course with slow green, and the lighter one on the fast green.

Usually, on practice putting green, the speed of the green will be the same as the rest of the greens in the course so go practice for 10-20 minutes before the round. That should give you pretty good idea and feeling of the speed and slope of the greens in that particular course. Good luck and make more birdies!

Answer 10

when u practice swing, over stare at the cup not the ball. helps with distance control. use short back swing and long follow through. feel like you are pushing the ball at the cup. put off the left side. all this works very well for me. good luck.

Answer 11

Like a couple of others said....look at the cup, not the ball.  Especially the long ones.

Answer 12

there are several tips, check your set up, make sure your hips and shoulders are aligned to your target line, try to find a tempo to your putting stroke just as in your full swing, and accelerate through the ball, but don't jab at it.  Also if you are a fair amount of distance from the ball say 25 ft or more, try to hit the ball within a three foot circle of the hole, and always try to hit the ball with enough speed that rolls just past the hole, a putt hit short of the hole almost never goes in )

Answer 13

putting strokes, set-up and putters are probably the most 'individual' part of the game there are a few basic principles that everyone needs to follow to putt effectively.  First you need to be able to read the break on a green.  Personally, I find plumb-bobbing with my putter works better than anything.  The speed of a green can vary from hole to hole and can change depending on time of day and how long since the greens were cut.  One thing to look at is whether you're putting into the cut, with the cut or across the cut.  You need to see which way the grass is laying relative to the position of your ball to the hole.  You just need to practice, practice, practice.  Make sure that before you start your round you spend at least as much time on the putting green as you do on the practice range.

Answer 14

You have to spend more time on the practice green than you do at the range for one thing.  Also, try putting with your right hand only for a few strokes and then putt normally.  See what happens.

Answer 15

you need to practice distance and power get some free lessons from the site below

Answer 16

use a green to read the putts and to practice.... when my putting is off i take my putter and go play mini golf just like happy.....

Answer 17

All I have to say is to try this drill called the cluster drill. It's when you have a few balls and hit the first one about 20 feet with your eyes open, then hit the next few with your eyes closed just as far. Don't open your eyes till you think the ball has stopped. This will help with feel and confidence on the green.