What can I do to improve my putting?

Question

I putt cross-hand. I have the feel for the grip down, my my speed is way off. recently i left a 30 foot putt 12 feet short. fellow cross-hand putters, any advice?

Answer 1

Before playing a round, get onto the practise green. Each course has greens that are faster or slower - depending on their groundsmen.

Practise at getting into a 3 to 5 foot radius cicrle from 30 to 50 feet away. Then your 2nd putt will drop easily. get a feel for weight behind those long putts.

For an up-slope or wet grass, raise your hands on the putter an inch for every 6 feet you putt and keep the same strength behind the stroke.

Good luck

Answer 2

The primary ingredient to putting is tons of practice.  touch and feel are only acquired through practice. It just takes time and patience.  I wish I had more to give you.....but this is what my experience has taught me.

Answer 3

I used to have a terrible time with judging the speed and distance of my putts and I always thought it was my grip as well (I am also a cross-handed putter). I actually found it was the way that I was approaching the shot. Make sure that you analyze the shot from all angles, not just from directly behind the ball. Sometimes there are hidden breaks and slants that can only be seen from certain angles on the green. Also, the other thing that helps me is taking a practice stroke while I am looking at the hole. This helps me to judge my speed in terms of how far I am from the hole . Sometimes this can be difficult when adjusting to a golf course that you don't usually play on because green speeds differ greatly from course to course, but after a hole or two you'll become used to them. Hope this helps you out and wahoo for cross-handed putters! :)

Answer 4

A good practice technique is when your on the putting green bring a piece of string about 10 feet long.  Take the string and tie it to tee 6" past the hole on the left edge if you're right handed and tie the remaining 9' of string to another tee and pull it tight.  Now place the ball 3" or closer to the string, square the putter face up to the hole and putt.  You must learn to follow the string with the base of your putter.  If you're putting left or right of the hole and you are following the string then the putter face is not square or you are breaking your wrist, maybe your body is moving, stay still.   I guarantee this method works, you can't teach distance this is where feel comes in from praticing.

Answer 5

Practice your lag putting on the practice green. This is all about feel. I will also suggest finding a ball you like and sticking to it.

Different balls will come off the putter face differently. You are developing feel so keep things constant. When Phil Mickelson changed balls he changed his putter face to keep the same feel he had with the other ball. Be confident and always be long on the putts.......never up....never in.

Answer 6

Hello,

           Everyone has a different grip and stroke in the game of golf.  I would suggest taking a few putting lessons from a pro at your local golf course.

                                                    good luck

                                                         j z

Answer 7

I don't putt cross handed anymore for the reason you have just given. I don't know why and I'm sure there is a reason, but getting the ball close to the 3 foot circle on longer putts is very difficult for me putting cross handed.  I had no feel for distance whatsoever. Personally, I switched back, lightened my grip on the putter and also switched to a larger grip which took wrist movement out so I was more easily able to use my shoulders. Putting is such a personal part of golf, you just have to do and practice what's best for you. I've seen golfers stand over a putt almost like they were standing backwards, yet were very effective. If cross handed is what you prefer, my only advice would be going to the nearest practice green as often as you can and practice from that 30 foot range. One last thing. When leaving long putts that short consistently , you may be peaking or pulling your head up to watch the ball to soon. When putting, watch the putter go thru the ball to the target line before lifting you head.

Answer 8

Don't neglect the mental side of putting.  You are using all of your hand eye coordination and very small errors are magnified, because the hole is so small.  Dr. Bob Rotella has a book called "Putting out of your Mind" that talks about both good mechanics and also the positive mental approach to making all your putts.  Sample:  if you are just trying to get the ball close, you are going to get beat by the person that is trying to make it.

Answer 9

Just consintrate, don't move body, keep your head still over the ball and just put abit more weight on it more than you usally would but just a tiny bit. Thats all I can help you with sorry.