Putting advice.?

Question

Hi everyone. I'm currently stuck on (an Australian) handicap of 3. The course I play is a par 72 but has an A.C.R. of 76. I feel like I could shave numerous strokes from my game by making more of those 6-10 foot putts. I make a large percentage of my putts within 6 feet and lag all the long ones close. But all my putts from about 6-10 feet lip out or burn the edge. Any advice on what practice drills or any tips about what I can do to get these putts to drop!

I would appreciate advice from people well established in the game.

Thanks : )

Answer 1

All the mechanical practice and drills won't help very much if you don't have a solid grasp of the mental requirements for putting - making putts is often caused by a confident state of mind - I highly reccomend the book "The Mental Art Of Putting" by Cohn and Winters. They take a psychological approach to putting and it will help other facets of your game as well. This book has helped me tremendously - I am a scratch professional - I have re-read it many times.

Answer 2

Work on your feel.  In Harvey Penick's Little Red Book he said that you should work on your speed control.  He said give luck a chance.  He also said that while he never saw a putt that was short go into the hole, one that went past the hole never went in either.  Practice letting the ball die at the hole and you will see more putts going in the hole.

Answer 3

I think the best way to practice these sort of putts is to find a 6-10 foot putt (a straight putt if possible) and put two tees just above and below (almost touching the putter at both ends) your putter head at address, then make a lot of strokes with a ball, in between the tees, this should help your your 6-10 foot putts.

Good luck with your game!

If it;s your read that's the problem I'd say to read the putt from the back of the hole as well as from the front and try to feel the the slope is under your feet.

Some putting guru gut taught me the "plumb-bob" but I don't think it works, but I'll explain it anyway.

You stand directly behind your ball and stand in a straight line to the hole then close your weak eye (non doninant eye) and raise your putter up so the end of your grip is over the middle of the hole and then the shaft SHOULD be inline with the correct line for the putt.

You should stand 2-3 metres (6-9 yards I think) behind your ball to do this and you can also kneel while doing this.

I don't belive this works bit the putting guru guy used to play off +4 and used to be the 2nd best putter in Victoria, Australia (no joke)  

Good luck man, hope this helps!

Answer 4

It sounds like you have the same problem that I use to have. I was given a drill by two professional golfers at the qld pga championships last year. select a hole on the practice putting green, put tees at 6, 9 and 12 ft from the directions of south, east, north and west. if you get the putt move on but if you miss the putt move back one tee, keep doing this until you complete the putt from all tees. if you can finish this drill each time you go to practice, it will help you.

Have a good one...

Answer 5

If you want some real good help guides I have a website with links to the guides I used and found to be very helpfull.

http://www.golfguide.synthasite.com

Take a look. these guides helped they me greatly.

Answer 6

try a reverse grip. it controls your ball speed 3x better than a normal grip, and is much more accurate. to do a reverse grip put the hand that is generally on bottom on top. and slide the other one down. if you need more info just email me at tracyi27

Answer 7

Try to keep your head down until you hear the ball go in to the cup on those short ones.

Answer 8

Hi, have you seen Tiger Woods on the practice green? He lines his putter face just as if he is going to put, then bends down and places two tees just outside of the putter head. This ensures he has a straight back and straight through putting stroke, otherwise he will be hitting the tees when he does his stroke. He does this everyday and we all know how good he is from 6-10ft :)

Try it, it will improve your putting without doubt.

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