I recently tried something new with my putting. I started on the practice green and then brought it to the course. I realize a lot of people under-read putts, but I tend to do the opposite. I have started going more straight at the hole on putts inside of 10 feet.
1. Sometimes it is obvious there is a sizable break, so I do account for this.
2. The further the putt the more I might consider break.
3. Speed is extremely important too. Most people worry to much about line and not enough about speed. I understand this.
I suggest this drill on the practice green. Go around to different holes and just see how the ball moves when you aim straight at the center of the cup from 4, 6, 8, 10 feet. Even pick spots where there looks to be some break and still hit it straight. The point is not necessarily to make every putt, but to see how the ball moves.
It has helped me in two ways:
1. I have a better understanding of how the ball breaks depending on the slope and the grain.
2. I have seen how often the ball goes in, especially inside of 5 feet or so, when I hit it straight rather than trying to read break into every putt. It is still a work in progress, but I feel like it is going to really help my putting. I might miss a few putts by not reading enough break, but I think I will make more by not over-reading putts that don't have much in them.
Comments (17) | |
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jamsession247
6/14/2011 8:19:59 AM I do agree with this if you are not sure which way its breaking or the extensiveness of the break. I think the focus is speed. The more aggressive the stroke the less the break affects the put. So, inside 10' is a good time to be aggressive if you have a straight putting stroke. |
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bmoody16
6/13/2011 10:49:59 PM Had a great putting round going....unfortunately we got rained out on the 13th hole. Birdied the first two holes today. I think the method is giving me a lot of confidence in my stroke. I also lipped out a few too. My misses are smaller. These were slower greens, which complicated things. I'm playing in a 3-day tournament in Texas in mid July. They have excellent greens. I plan to really focus on this putting idea during my practice rounds. Hopefully i will find it works great. |
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Robert Premeaux Jr.
6/6/2011 9:32:25 PM Holy crap!!! Why didn't I remember this stuff today? Could've shot a whole lot better had I kept all the putts six feet an in inside the hole. DAMMITT!! |
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Mark Simmons
6/4/2011 4:05:50 PM For those wondering...I know you are on to something, because I went through this exact same process. It really helped my putting. It has other benefits too. Some of us don't hit the ball straight down the line, or don't do so consistently, and this really becomes apparent doing this. You can't fix what you don't know is broken, right? Do this on different speed greens and your understanding will really soar! |
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ledhed81
6/4/2011 12:34:00 PM I like this. Great idea. I struggle with correctly reading putts. I will have to try this out. |
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ShaunCrawford
6/4/2011 9:15:15 AM You're absolutely right.... inside of 10 feet I always aim for the cup, if there is an obvious break, I'll aim for the side of the cup, depending on the break... (left to right break, left side of cup, right to left break, right side of cup) and I am above average at making those, so I'll attest that it DOES work... |
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Golfandsoccer
6/3/2011 4:47:53 PM Great observations and approach - I'll definitely give it a try. Thanks for sharing. |
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HIGH_LANDER
6/3/2011 3:56:29 PM Interesting view point.Go Straight at it. |
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Jimidog
6/3/2011 8:33:18 AM Its really all about speed. On up hill putts, and some side hill lies, you can "slam" it in the hole by hitting it harder to take the break out of the putt. A slower putt that dies in the hole will play more break. Generally speaking, I agree with you. |
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MatthewScott
6/3/2011 5:44:28 AM I would be interested to hear how the change works for you as you continue to use it. |
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JohnBarree
6/3/2011 12:32:27 AM If I can't see the line I putt it straight. A lot of putts are missed by overreading the break. |
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ParSeeker
6/2/2011 7:29:21 PM I like this idea and will definitely try it. One reason is because by going straight at it I only need to be concerned with alignment and speed. It seems like including break also adds a dimension of pace that tries to accommodate the break rather than just getting it into the hole. The more factors we can eliminate the simpler the stroke becomes. |
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Pete-L
6/2/2011 10:58:48 AM interesting concept. will definitely try it out. |
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greenjacket13
6/2/2011 9:23:50 AM i usually over-read too but this is a great idea to hit it straight and see what it does and then go back and know how much it will break on a putt with that view, so when i have that read down the road.i'll definitely give this a shot. thanks |
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Robert Premeaux Jr.
6/1/2011 9:28:37 PM yep ... inside 10 feet, it's not the worst idea to keep the putt inside the hole. i shot 80-77 this week at a golf course with pretty slow greens, and if i'd hit all my putts inside 10 feet at the freaking middles of the cups, I'd have shot about 77-72 ... so annoying. i nearly burned down all of Aggieland the way i kept scorching the edges of cups. when in doubt and from short range, aim at the back of the cup. |