posted Jul 4, 2009

Did the exact same thing last week, switched from a conventional sized grip to a Golf Pride Jumbo grip and as of yet im not totally convinced. Definately takes a bit of gettin used to. Dont seem to have the same feel for longer putts with the bigger grip.

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posted Jul 4, 2009

hey 4puttt, I haven't tried that (yet) i'm afraid, however if you’re having putting difficulties I would advise you read Bob Rotella's "Putting out of your mind", it did wonders for me.
Essentially he argues that putting is not a physically challenging activity so you do not need to be physically gifted to perform it well. He suggests (which I have found to be right in my case anyway) that the subconscious mind will naturally try to get the ball in the hole, so trusting yourself to get the ball in the hole is way-way more effective than standing over a putt and over analysing it and achieving "paralysis by analysis". Just pick your line, get over the ball, (maybe a practice stroke to loosen up any tension) relax and let it go. If it goes in then good if not then if you followed your routine properly and were in the moment then thats as much as you can expect. Most great putters seem to think like this an example would be when Seve (one of the best putters of all time) four putted a green at Augusta, the press asked him about it afterwards he said "I hit the first putt, I miss, I hit the second putt I miss, I hit the third putt I miss, I hit the fourth putt I make".

Also I would suggest you change your name, calling yourself '4puttt' suggests you have negative thoughts about your putting and putting in general. Give yourself a chance, you wont make them all but you should try to enjoy the process.

I hope I've made some sense here (i'm only trying to pass on something thats worked for me), best of luck mate

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posted Jul 4, 2009

Be the ball,

Thanks for the advice.

"Negative thoughts", How about "impossible thoughts".
Have tried many cures. David Howell gave me a good tip, which worked for a while. My problem is I cannot take the putter away. When it does it's a series of jerks. At the moment I'm working on my breathing to take my mind off the stroke. Gets to the point that I have to hit the ball or else I'll pass out.
I used to be an above average putter in the UK, but here in Thailand the greens are more difficult. Bigger slopes and nap to think think about.
By the way, only 4 putted once and that was when I missed a 1" putt.

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posted Jul 4, 2009

Any advice on putting from David Howell has got to be good advice, he for me is one of the best on tour with the flat stick, no wonder it helped you out...

have you tried looking at the hole while putting, I know it sounds crazy but try it. Honestly, even try it at home, put a cup down or whatever and just look at the target and putt... Let me know how it goes..

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posted Jul 4, 2009

If you struggle to take the blade away in the first place you're never going to have a consistent stroke... Might be time to look at a belly putter.

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posted Jul 5, 2009

4Puttt, just a thought but have you tried with a ball at the back of the putter, the idea is to put a ball at the back of the putter and brush it away (this wont work for an Odyssey 3 ball, but you may have an old putter that would do the trick). So if your right handed the ball goes on the right side of the blade and you brush it away to your right, to do it right you naturally wont have any jerky movements, do it enough times and hopefully you build up muscle memory to be able to repeat it while actually putting.

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posted Jul 6, 2009

B the B.

Once again thanks for the tips.
Played today. Was hoping to get on the practice green to try out a few of your ideas. Unfortunately it was peeing hard, (all day) so gave it a miss.
I contemplated not looking at the ball, just the hole, even addressed it a few times, but was playing in the Monthly Stroke comp, so thought I'd leave that technique until I can get on a practice green.
I had my usual start, 3 putting from 10 feet on the first. After 12 holes I changed putters and used a Nike Ignite putter, with which I putted quite well. Even my caddie was surprised. So I'll persevere with that for a few weeks.
Now, if someone could give me some tips on bunker play. Went in two today at par 3's and ended up taking 12 for the two holes. Finishing with a gross 83 wasn't too bad i suppose.
Once again, thanks for the support.

2Puttt

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