Help needed !!

The Don 1985

Hi,

Does anybody know anyone in the South East area that they could recommend to give a putting lesson ?

I am at wits end at this stage and quite close to giving up golf if I don't get this sorted in 2013. My game is quite good and I feel I'm quite close to becoming a single h'capper but I just can not sort out my putting. I have tried all types of different grips,strokes,stances etc. but none of them seem to work. I think I need Professional help at this stage.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated on both where I could get a lesson and any of your own putting tips you may have.

Thanks.

A frustrated 3 putt specialist !!

WH BONNEY

Forgetting alignment, technique etc for a moment I know that when I was struggling with my putting that I was so apprehensive over putts that I didn't realise I was holding the putter like it was a vice.

You really have to have a lose grip and make sure that your arms are totally relaxed there can't be any tension in your stroke.

I would imagine that most PGA club pros could "point you in the right direction" regarding your alignment, technique etc.

Daithio12

The Don 1985 wrote: »

Hi,

Does anybody know anyone in the South East area that they could recommend to give a putting lesson ?

I am at wits end at this stage and quite close to giving up golf if I don't get this sorted in 2013. My game is quite good and I feel I'm quite close to becoming a single h'capper but I just can not sort out my putting. I have tried all types of different grips,strokes,stances etc. but none of them seem to work. I think I need Professional help at this stage.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated on both where I could get a lesson and any of your own putting tips you may have.

Thanks.

A frustrated 3 putt specialist !!

Putting is all about confidence, and the best way to gain confidence is to practise, you've mentioned everything above except practise.
A good putting drill is to make 20 three footers in a row, it may sound easy but when you get to 18/19 then the pressure tells, when you master this drill, it will in turn takes pressure off your lag putting, which you'll also need to practise, try getting 20 in a row inside 3 feet from 45 feet.
Putting can be hard on the lower back so occasionally you'll have to stand up and straighten your back and walk around.

The Don 1985

WH BONNEY wrote: »

Forgetting alignment, technique etc for a moment I know that when I was struggling with my putting that I was so apprehensive over putts that I didn't realise I was holding the putter like it was a vice.

You really have to have a lose grip and make sure that your arms are totally relaxed there can't be any tension in your stroke.

I would imagine that most PGA club pros could "point you in the right direction" regarding your alignment, technique etc.

Yeah must be something that I'm doing wrong in relation to alignment or something, also think I do grip the club a bit tight so I will def take your advise on board, never really thought about tension in my arms either .

Cheers for the advise

Ernest Oreo

Daithio12 wrote: »

Putting can be hard on the lower back so occasionally you'll have to stand up and straighten your back and walk around.

Remember also to breathe between putts.
If getting lightheaded, sit down for a while.
Maybe even go back to the club house for a cuppa and some jaffa cakes.

mike12

Only use 1 ball, when u have more than 1 you are getting reads and getting the pace the first one is the only one that counts out on the course.
Would agree on the 3 foot putts once u are 100% on those it should help with the rest.
Are u using a Mallet style putter it may be better than a blade if you are having problems hitting the sweet spot. But i think a putter that feels comfortable it the most imporant thing.
Mike

Daithio12

Ernest Oreo wrote: »

Remember also to breathe between putts.
If getting lightheaded, sit down for a while.
Maybe even go back to the club house for a cuppa and some jaffa cakes.

Yea very funny, obviously you've never done any serious putting practice, otherwise you'd know it's true.

Ernest Oreo

Putting, I must say, does come quite naturally to me.
I rarely practice it.
Still have the odd three-putt, but rarely miss anything inside 2.5 feet.

People overcomplicate stuff, particularly putting and lob-wedging.
People watch too much golf on the box, and confuse themselves.

The Don 1985

Daithio12 wrote: »

Putting is all about confidence, and the best way to gain confidence is to practise, you've mentioned everything above except practise.
A good putting drill is to make 20 three footers in a row, it may sound easy but when you get to 18/19 then the pressure tells, when you master this drill, it will in turn takes pressure off your lag putting, which you'll also need to practise, try getting 20 in a row inside 3 feet from 45 feet.
Putting can be hard on the lower back so occasionally you'll have to stand up and straighten your back and walk around.

Yes, I don't have much time in the evenings be practicing and any time at the weekends I have I like to go out and actually play a few holes. I also think that I don't really want to be doing an huge amount of practice if it turns out I'm practicing the wrong things either making it harder to change things then if I do get a lesson. The last lesson I got, the pro told me that putting is a personal thing and not something that you can really teach someone but surely there are do'd and don'ts in putting ???

Your right though my confidence is completely gone at this stage, I mean I could hit a smashing drive and be bouncing down the fair way after it looking forward to playing my shot into the green, hit a nice shot onto the green but I actually dread at this stage heading for the green not knowing how many putts it is going to take me to get in the hole.

I understand that there is no way you can get much better by not doing much practice but the way I see it is that my irons and riving are improving every week and I dont practice them any more than I do my putting which actually seems to be getting worse not better.

BillyBoy

I know these guys - http://www.golflabdublin.com/ - did an offer on Boards Deals when it was still going and think I remember the reviews being generally good, a search of the forum may confirm this. Not sure if the location would suit you though, but said I would throw it out there!

PARlance

The Don 1985 wrote: »

Yes, I don't have much time in the evenings be practicing and any time at the weekends I have I like to go out and actually play a few holes. I also think that I don't really want to be doing an huge amount of practice if it turns out I'm practicing the wrong things either making it harder to change things then if I do get a lesson. The last lesson I got, the pro told me that putting is a personal thing and not something that you can really teach someone but surely there are do'd and don'ts in putting ???

Your right though my confidence is completely gone at this stage, I mean I could hit a smashing drive and be bouncing down the fair way after it looking forward to playing my shot into the green, hit a nice shot onto the green but I actually dread at this stage heading for the green not knowing how many putts it is going to take me to get in the hole.

I understand that there is no way you can get much better by not doing much practice but the way I see it is that my irons and riving are improving every week and I dont practice them any more than I do my putting which actually seems to be getting worse not better.

I picked up a putting mat about 6 weeks ago, have been using it for about 15 mins most evenings either in the shed or the kitchen (2 or 3 times for 5 mins a go... stick the kettle on and putt away as it boils.....)

It's been a massive help, coupled with a change from a blade (that I never should have been using) to a mallet putter, I've noticed a big difference in my putting.

I didn't do any practice last week and it transferred onto the course.
Now, I don't think my stroke had changed drastically, I just wasn't bringing the confidence I had brought in previous weeks.

You don't need much time to practice putting, ten minutes each evening (at home) and you'll notice a big improvement.
Ten minutes on the putting green will also help before a round.
Putting makes up about a 1/3 of your game or more, give it the attention it deserves and you'll see the improvements.

Have a look on youtube at a few instructional videos and see what one suits you best.
I think I was playing golf 2 years and had watched 100's of swing videos before I even thought about looking at a putting video...
You should be able to develop the fundamentals of a good putting stroke by looking and practicing a few drills from the net...far easier than trying to learn any other golf related shot anyway.

The Don 1985

BillyBoy wrote: »

I know these guys - http://www.golflabdublin.com/ - did an offer on Boards Deals when it was still going and think I remember the reviews being generally good, a search of the forum may confirm this. Not sure if the location would suit you though, but said I would throw it out there!

Cheers Billy

The Don 1985

ajcurry123 wrote: »

I picked up a putting mat about 6 weeks ago, have been using it for about 15 mins most evenings either in the shed or the kitchen (2 or 3 times for 5 mins a go... stick the kettle on and putt away as it boils.....)

It's been a massive help, coupled with a change from a blade (that I never should have been using) to a mallet putter, I've noticed a big difference in my putting.

I didn't do any practice last week and it transferred onto the course.
Now, I don't think my stroke had changed drastically, I just wasn't bringing the confidence I had brought in previous weeks.

You don't need much time to practice putting, ten minutes each evening (at home) and you'll notice a big improvement.
Ten minutes on the putting green will also help before a round.
Putting makes up about a 1/3 of your game or more, give it the attention it deserves and you'll see the improvements.

Have a look on youtube at a few instructional videos and see what one suits you best.
I think I was playing golf 2 years and had watched 100's of swing videos before I even thought about looking at a putting video...
You should be able to develop the fundamentals of a good putting stroke by looking and practicing a few drills from the net...far easier than trying to learn any other golf related shot anyway.

Yeah was on the net there last week and saw a good few videos. I suppose they are as good as anything a pro is going to tell me.

Yes, I do have a blade putter so maybe a change is needed to a mallet putting. Must check that out. How much would a putting mat set me back ?

Cheers for the advise

Johnny_Fontane

I use a big sports direct mug (you know the one;) in the office for about a 14 footer with a savage right to left break. Granted the carpet is about 13 on the stimp, but it gets the confidence going.

sorted me out no end. Being the boss helps too.

PARlance

The Don 1985 wrote: »

Yeah was on the net there last week and saw a good few videos. I suppose they are as good as anything a pro is going to tell me.

Yes, I do have a blade putter so maybe a change is needed to a mallet putting. Must check that out. How much would a putting mat set me back ?

Cheers for the advise

I got it in Woodies Carrickmines for €20, nothing fancy but does the job.
About 12 foot long * 1.5 foot wide.

Spotted a similar one in Ha'penny Golf and I think it was in the same price range.

If you're struggling with putting and confidence, then a blade isn't making it any easier. I've bought my other golf equipment on the cheap (everything bar driver 2nd hand, driver itself didn't set me back much either)
I did however splash out a bit on the putter, and I'm happy I done so.

alxmorgan

Dave Stockton has some very good tips. Check this out

http://www.golfchannel.com/media/12-nights-academy-dave-stockton/

Also what kind of putter are you using ? A face balanced could make a difference:

http://golf.about.com/od/golfterms/g/face-balanced-putter.htm

What I found is that you need to be approaching putting with the right mind set. Any tentativeness leads to deceleration and that is a killer, especially on the shorter putts.

On the practice green only take one ball and practice hitting a tee - never the hole. Never putt from some spot twice. Fully concentrate on each putt
When you hit the course the hole will seem huge and just imagine the tee where you want to hit it (outside hole if a lot of break etc)

The Don 1985

alxmorgan wrote: »

Dave Stockton has some very good tips. Check this out

http://www.golfchannel.com/media/12-nights-academy-dave-stockton/

Also what kind of putter are you using ? A face balanced could make a difference:

http://golf.about.com/od/golfterms/g/face-balanced-putter.htm

What I found is that you need to be approaching putting with the right mind set. Any tentativeness leads to deceleration and that is a killer, especially on the shorter putts.

On the practice green only take one ball and practice hitting a tee - never the hole. Never putt from some spot twice. Fully concentrate on each putt
When you hit the course the hole will seem huge and just imagine the tee where you want to hit it (outside hole if a lot of break etc)

Thanks for that Alx. I will check out video when I get home later. I think I may try out the mallet putter for a couple of rounds and see how I get on.

The Don 1985

ajcurry123 wrote: »

I got it in Woodies Carrickmines for €20, nothing fancy but does the job.
About 12 foot long * 1.5 foot wide.

Spotted a similar one in Ha'penny Golf and I think it was in the same price range.

If you're struggling with putting and confidence, then a blade isn't making it any easier. I've bought my other golf equipment on the cheap (everything bar driver 2nd hand, driver itself didn't set me back much either)
I did however splash out a bit on the putter, and I'm happy I done so.

Well I have a Scotty putter so not splashing out isn't the problem, I just shouldnt have gotten a blade one. One of my buddies has a Rossi mallet putter so will have a few putts with that and see how I get on with that.

Thanks for that advise