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So Putting Question

Tom,

So as I am doing the full swing program I am also doing the putting, my Putting as got a lot better as I noticed immediately that My follow throw was a lot faster instead of just giving it a little start and then just let it gain momentum like a wrecking ball, My distance has improved tremendously. But for putting, I have been trying something that really helps me get the ball in line, and keep my head still. I pick a line find a spot 3-10 inches in front of the ball and look at that until the ball rolls over. It has been working real well, but I am sure the are some CONS to it, and even though it has been working it may not be the best way long term... What are you thoughts to it.. I noticed I dont always hit the ball super pure, but that could be me just needing to work on my stance and how far I am away from the ball or get closer to off a more consistent contact... But for the most part I always roll over that spot I am looking at. what do you think about this method Tom

5 comments

5 Comments

Stephen Wible

Jul 08, 2022

I rarely 3 putt and I can definitely attribute it to looking at the hole for lags and looking at a spot in front of the ball for putts less than 10 feet. Lags end up very close and sometimes even go in because my unconscious mind knows how hard to hit for that distance (like rolling a ball underhanded). Of course for uphill putts I look past the hole and downhill I pick a spot somewhere before the hole, depending on slope. Our subconscious mind is an amazing computer and processes that info way faster than our conscious mind. Or maybe I'm just too hyper to stand over a putt and stare at a ball. LOL

Tom Saguto

Jul 08, 2022

Replying to

@Stephen Wible - That technique can be likened to shooting a basketball, pitching a baseball, throwing a football, tossing a lacrosse ball, horseshoes, cornhole, etc. - we're certainly not looking at the ball/shoe/bag in our hands in those situations. Instead we're focused on our target. The only difference here is that the golf ball is not in our direct "possession", so it's a matter of trusting the stroke and knowing that the putter face is going to squarely contact the ball. Master that and I think there's plenty of merit to it.

Russell Hogue, PhD

Jul 06, 2022

•

ryen91 I switched to a similar putting procedure a couple months ago.

I realized, as Tom Saguto said, I have gone into great detail about the intermediate target on full shots. I decided that, if I trust my alignment putting, then if I trace the white line on my putter, through the ball, to any blade of grass on that line (1-2 inches in front of the ball), then my only job is to strike the putt in the center of the face to roll it over that mark. What happens after that is completely out of my control.

I have always been a “good putter” from the perspective I rarely 3-putt. That means if you watch a round, I probably have 3-5 up and down chips/1putt. Then I two putt almost everything else.

In my process, my eyes are on the blade of grass I am rolling over, but the picture in my head is the hole…that is, distance, uphill, downhill, etc. I am putting over the blade of grass into the picture in my head. That’s what gives me the sense of feel. How hard do I need to hit it?

Now when I am putting I believe if my read is right…I should make the putt.

Tom Saguto

Jul 06, 2022

Replying to

I figured this was right in your wheelhouse, @Russell Hogue, PhD. Thanks for sharing your process!

Tom Saguto

Jul 06, 2022

I'm a firm believer in selecting an intermediate target, Ryen, and if you can execute your stroke properly while looking at that target then I don't see and issues with it. Consider that some great players - perhaps most notably Jordan Spieth - look at the hole on putts up to a certain length, and they're still able to put a very nice roll on it.

I believe @Russell Hogue, PhD has dialogued a bit on this concept as well for putting and beyond.