Hey Guys, BIG trouble!

[air0208]

Hey Guys, this is my FIRST post, as i just read the site quite a bit, but now i HAVE to post this for some help from some gracious people.
Heres my story...

Im a senior in high school in a small town in North Dakota, i have a 6 handicap, and usually shoot 1 over or better at my home course, a 9 hole course. My average drive is 285 yards and am a pretty good chipper, and iron player, BUT im starting to get VERY frustrated in my putting. This high school golf season, we have had 7 tournaments, have won 4 and 2nd in 3. The 3 seconds shouldve been firsts too but my putting let me down in all of them. Even in a couple first place my putting has not been very good. This year im averaging 32! putts per round. i just dont know whats going on. Ive tried every grip, stance, and stroke possible to get this part of my game going, but just doesnt get kickstarted. I have trouble making every putt from 4 feet on out. Ive been practicing HARD on my putting the last week but nothings improving. I am a left hand low putter as of now, but can change quickly.... Does ANYONE have any TIPS or TRICKS that can help me, I NEED HELP!!!!

Thanks Guys!!
Aaron

[mrodock]

Do you consistently miss to the right or left? Is your speed control good? Do you consistently hit the ball on the center of the face? Have you checked your set-up alignments? Are your forearms parallel to the line you are putting on? What stroke variations have you tried? I would suggest using a small mirror on the floor, can be purchased from home depot, use a piece of tape or two so that you have some lines on the mirror that you can check your alignments against (make the lines parallel to the edges of the mirror). Also, I would check out the putting stroke Jack Nicklaus outlines in Golf My Way. Other than that, I am curious to hear your answers to the above questions. Best of luck,

Matt

[air0208]

Do you consistently miss to the right or left? Is your speed control good? Do you consistently hit the ball on the center of the face? Have you checked your set-up alignments? Are your forearms parallel to the line you are putting on? What stroke variations have you tried? I would suggest using a small mirror on the floor, can be purchased from home depot, use a piece of tape or two so that you have some lines on the mirror that you can check your alignments against (make the lines parallel to the edges of the mirror). Also, I would check out the putting stroke Jack Nicklaus outlines in Golf My Way. Other than that, I am curious to hear your answers to the above questions. Best of luck,

Matt

When i miss a 3-5 foot putt it is usually on the right side, have a lotta trouble lining up straight putts and all other putts i usually miss on the low side, then when i try to correct that im wayyy to high

my speed control is very good, very rarely 3 putt any greens..

i usually hit the ball on the center of the face, but i know sometimes i dont, probably 1/5 times i dont...

for set-up alignments, i know thats a BIG problem in my putting, but i have no clue on how to work on that, except for the drill you gave me there now which i will do...

what do you mean by "stroke variations" not to up to date on that...sorry, can you please explain?

[mrodock]

All I meant by stroke variations would mean, for example: using an arm stroke, shoulder stroke, right hand stroke, etc. The major power source of area of concentration for the stroke. I would put a ruler down showing the line you are going to put down and then have someone look down-line to see where your forearms are aligned. I'd bet $50 they are open to your intended starting line. If so, I would get your right elbow much closer to your side (use a mirror to verify where the correct position is) and see if that doesn't correct the pushes. I'm guessing when you miss the sweet spot it is off the toe?

Matt

P.S. Keep in mind, I'm just a 2 handicapper that has read a lot on putting, I'm nowhere near an expert. There are certainly some of those on this site, but until they take over, I am more than willing to help you if I am thusly capable.

[air0208]

Ok, by those examples im probably using an arm stroke...

im not 100% sure when you say that my forearms are open to the starting line, what way would i turn my forearms to correct that...

yes when i do not hit the center of the putter, it is off the toe..

well i would sure love to get down to a 2 handicap, alot better then a 6 imo, so im sure you can help me ...

All I meant by stroke variations would mean, for example: using an arm stroke, shoulder stroke, right hand stroke, etc. The major power source of area of concentration for the stroke. I would put a ruler down showing the line you are going to put down and then have someone look down-line to see where your forearms are aligned. I'd bet $50 they are open to your intended starting line. If so, I would get your right elbow much closer to your side (use a mirror to verify where the correct position is) and see if that doesn't correct the pushes. I'm guessing when you miss the sweet spot it is off the toe?

Matt

P.S. Keep in mind, I'm just a 2 handicapper that has read a lot on putting, I'm nowhere near an expert. There are certainly some of those on this site, but until they take over, I am more than willing to help you if I am thusly capable.

[mrodock]

It's not that you would turn your forearms to correct your set-up alignment (IF THIS IS IN FACT A FAULT!). If you do happen to be open, then you would just bend your right elbow more, letting it rest very lightly or nearly on your torso. If your forearms are open, your elbows are not on the same line, so you need to drop the right one back. Is this a better explanation? I can't overstate how important it is to make sure this is in fact an error of your's before trying to make such compensations.

Matt

[Mike O]

Aaron,
Why don't you post some video of your putting stroke- from both perspectives of facing the golfer and facing the target? I think the feedback then would be much more precise and productive.
Mike

[Sbark]

this is my dads account...

ok not quite sure this will work, im trying to quick get ready for school here....if it doesnt work i will get it to work later tonight....i think you need quicktime for these links....

here they are...

http://h1.ripway.com/air0208/DCP_1163.MOV

http://h1.ripway.com/air0208/DCP_1164.MOV

http://h1.ripway.com/air0208/DCP_1165.MOV

http://h1.ripway.com/air0208/DCP_1166.MOV

http://h1.ripway.com/air0208/DCP_1167.MOV

http://h1.ripway.com/air0208/DCP_1168.MOV

[Triad]

Aaron,

This is not really a TGM answer, but for me, whenever I am missing three to five footers to the right of the hole it is because I am 'peeking', that is, looking up to see where the ball is going after the putt has started. Tends to cause a slight push in my case. I see a little of this in your videos (especially #1165 and 1166). As an excercise, stay down through the whole stroke. Listen for the sound of the putt dropping in the cup, then look. Of course, in real life, you may want to look up at some point to see how the putt breaks around the hole in case you need to make one coming back, but for practice, and particularly on the short ones, try staying down till you hear it drop.

JMHO

Triad

[vj]

Youngster,

Get a mirror or cd (something reflective) and practice moving the putter back and forth without your eyes moving 40 times each day or night inside.

Go out to the putting green and make 100 in a row from 2 to 3 feet everyday for the next week. Don't leave the putting green without accomplishing this task.

Practice gripping the putter at your house. Decide on the grip that feels best and then KNOW it. Don't half way know it....know the grip you use when you putt. Commit to it and do it. Practice gripping the club 40 times each night.

In two weeks you will be ready to pick and path and face. For right now just get these above in order.