Shane Lowry's putter

First Up

I read that Lowry's problems yesterday are being blamed on having to replace a damaged putter at short notice before his round.
The interesting bit is that he only spotted the problem a few minutes before his tee time, having damaged the club in a moment's frustration on the 18th green the previous day.
He is reported to be blaming himself for not bringing a spare. He might also reflect on his post round practice habits - or lack of.

searay

Shane is 6 under after 10 today. I don't think the new putter is a problem today.

First Up

searay wrote: »

Shane is 6 under after 10 today. I don't think the new putter is a problem today.

Which one is he using?

FixdePitchmark

Great move Shane.

FixdePitchmark

Now -8 today.

willfer

More importantly, €800 for Movember Ireland.

http://www.thescore.ie/shane-lowry-movember-1155387-Oct2013/

gorfield

First Up wrote: »

I read that Lowry's problems yesterday are being blamed on having to replace a damaged putter at short notice before his round.
The interesting bit is that he only spotted the problem a few minutes before his tee time, having damaged the club in a moment's frustration on the 18th green the previous day.
He is reported to be blaming himself for not bringing a spare. He might also reflect on his post round practice habits - or lack of.

Spot on as always.... Your dead right to question why he didn't go straight to the putting green after his first round, shur it's obvious he went straight to the bar as usual. No wonder his career is gone down the drain.

First Up

That would be an attempt at sarcasm, would it?
A bit misplaced. A 3 putt on 18 and he puts the club away until 8 minutes before his next round. Let's all draw our own conclusions..

Russman

To be fair, a 3 putt on 18 doesn't mean he has to head to the putting green and hit a load of putts just to keep anyone happy. 3 putts happen to everyone from time to time. Maybe he's comfortable that he's putting well and was strong enough mentally to shrug it off.

First Up

Russman wrote: »

To be fair, a 3 putt on 18 doesn't mean he has to head to the putting green and hit a load of putts just to keep anyone happy. 3 putts happen to everyone from time to time. Maybe he's comfortable that he's putting well and was strong enough mentally to shrug it off.

Well he had missed a two footer earlier so if he thought he didn't need to touch it between rounds his comfort could be mistaken for something else.

fred funk }{

Any excuse for a bit of Shane bashing.

FixdePitchmark

It is a bit crazy - when you think he is the only Irish payer coming through at pro level. So - Shane should be cherished at this stage. He is by the way - the crowds love him. Go to an Irish open next year and you see what Shane brings to the show - He is such fun and when on form, loves playing as a pro - there are so many other pros that seem almost bored playing out there for what we would earn in a year (in 9 hole).

BTW some of these pros that are bored and a bit moody are some of the so called big stars of the game.

We have 2 lads in the walker cup - but they are very young and have a long long way to go.

So - every week I watch golf and see Padraig struggle - I go - well thank **** we have Shane - for many years there was nobody.

slave1

Had a quick look at this thread yesterday morning before heading off to Esker Hills, was going to post something along the lines that I hear more about Shane losing or damaging his clubs probably more than any other player and that it's pretty hard to damage a club......sliced my tee shot on the first, ball at tree but still had a chance to move it forward with a punch, punched it all right and snapped my 9 iron in half off the tree!!! :eek:
Every layup and approach shot thereafter was of course perfect for my 9 :rolleyes:

First Up

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

It is a bit crazy - when you think he is the only Irish payer coming through at pro level. So - Shane should be cherished at this stage. He is by the way - the crowds love him. Go to an Irish open next year and you see what Shane brings to the show - He is such fun and when on form, loves playing as a pro - there are so many other pros that seem almost bored playing out there for what we would earn in a year (in 9 hole).

BTW some of these pros that are bored and a bit moody are some of the so called big stars of the game.

We have 2 lads in the walker cup - but they are very young and have a long long way to go.

So - every week I watch golf and see Padraig struggle - I go - well thank **** we have Shane - for many years there was nobody.

Talk about missing - or avoiding - the point.

Russman

First Up wrote: »

Well he had missed a two footer earlier so if he thought he didn't need to touch it between rounds his comfort could be mistaken for something else.

When a pro misses a 2 footer, its more often than not because of carelessness or a misread, rather than poor technique. If he'd missed six two footers I might agree with you. I totally agree that putting practice is invaluable, but in this case, I can't see any purpose being served by Shane going to the putting green and knocking in 50 two footers as some sort of penance. Perhaps he mish1t a few mid irons during his round and went to the range to work on that ? I actually don't know how he played (in detail), but I'd suggest, given his career so far, that he should keep doing what he's doing.

Different players have different practice habits and routines, and the best place for any pro do get some work done is between tournaments. There's that old saying "if you didn't bring it with you, you won't find it here". The more naturally talented tend to need less practice than those who need to work hard at it, and if they do too much it can be counter productive. I think that Shane is one of those more natural players. "Hard work" isn't always the solution, sometimes backing off and relaxing is the answer.

First Up

Russman wrote: »

When a pro misses a 2 footer, its more often than not because of carelessness or a misread, rather than poor technique. If he'd missed six two footers I might agree with you. I totally agree that putting practice is invaluable, but in this case, I can't see any purpose being served by Shane going to the putting green and knocking in 50 two footers as some sort of penance. Perhaps he mish1t a few mid irons during his round and went to the range to work on that ? I actually don't know how he played (in detail), but I'd suggest, given his career so far, that he should keep doing what he's doing.

Different players have different practice habits and routines, and the best place for any pro do get some work done is between tournaments. There's that old saying "if you didn't bring it with you, you won't find it here". The more naturally talented tend to need less practice than those who need to work hard at it, and if they do too much it can be counter productive. I think that Shane is one of those more natural players. "Hard work" isn't always the solution, sometimes backing off and relaxing is the answer.

Hilarious

Russman

First Up wrote: »

Hilarious

Thanks very much, very incisive contribution.

charlieIRL

First Up wrote: »

Hilarious

Why do you think that???

I thought it was a good post.

First Up

charlieIRL wrote: »

Why do you think that???

I thought it was a good post.

I think it hilarious that anyone would try to defend or rationalise a post round regime that results in a player failing to notice he had damaged the last club he used before he next needed to use it.
Hopefully he will learn from it.

ImDave

First Up wrote: »

I think it hilarious that anyone would try to defend or rationalise a post round regime that results in a player failing to notice he had damaged the last club he used before he next needed to use it.
Hopefully he will learn from it.

If it was the responsilbity of anyone to check the condition of the equipment post-round, you'd imagine it would be the caddy.

These things happen in any instance.

First Up

ImDave wrote: »

If it was the responsilbity of anyone to check the condition of the equipment post-round, you'd imagine it would be the caddy.

These things happen in any instance.

I was waiting for that one. Anyone but Shane eh?
"These things" only happen if you let them. He is a professional for goodness sake.

realgolfgeek

Yes, I would fire the caddy, instantly :rolleyes:

I don't know how many times I've heard on this forum that "the caddy should blame", absolutely ridiculous.

First Up

realgolfgeek wrote: »

Yes, I would fire the caddy, instantly :rolleyes:

I don't know how many times I've heard on this forum that "the caddy should blame", absolutely ridiculous.

It is also missing the point. It isn't about checking the equipment , it's about the indisputable fact that however the player filled the time between rounds, it didn't include any practice with the putter. You would be entitled to wonder what he thought was more important.

Russman

realgolfgeek wrote: »

Yes, I would fire the caddy, instantly :rolleyes:

I don't know how many times I've heard on this forum that "the caddy should blame", absolutely ridiculous.

100%, its never the caddy. The player is responsible for what's in his bag.

Despite Ian Woosnam's pitiful bleating a few years ago

PARlance

First Up wrote: »

It is also missing the point. It isn't about checking the equipment , it's about the indisputable fact that however the player filled the time between rounds, it didn't include any practice with the putter. You would be entitled to wonder what he thought was more important.

Absolutely, it's strange that there was no practice, whatever about straight after the round but not spending a chunk of time in advance of his round would certainly buck the trend.
But Russmans "hilarious" point is far from folly. Maybe getting away from golf, in between rounds, works for Lowry.
Maybe 20 putts/a few minutes in advance is all that he needs to get a feel for the greens.

ImDave

realgolfgeek wrote: »

Yes, I would fire the caddy, instantly :rolleyes:

I don't know how many times I've heard on this forum that "the caddy should blame", absolutely ridiculous.

I never suggested the caddy should be fired, never even suggested they were to blame. I suggested that I believe it is more the job of the caddy to give the equipment a going over before a round. They would normally do this when cleaning the clubs before hand anyway, no?

I was just saying that it is the caddy who would normally take responsibility for checking the clubs pre-round. It is the players ultimate responsibility to ensure his clubs are of the standard demanded, but the caddy is often entrusted with that role. Perhaps the player should ask the caddy if this was done before reaching the first tee.

It's like in commercial aviation. The First Officer will often perform the walk-around to ensure the aircraft is serviceable, but it is the Captains ultimate responsibility to ensure it is.

First Up

ImDave wrote: »

I never suggested the caddy should be fired, never even suggested they were to blame. I suggested that I believe it is more the job of the caddy to give the equipment a going over before a round. They would normally do this when cleaning the clubs before hand anyway, no?

I was just saying that it is the caddy who would normally take responsibility for checking the clubs pre-round. It is the players ultimate responsibility to ensure his clubs are of the standard demanded, but the caddy is often entrusted with that role. Perhaps the player should ask the caddy if this was done before reaching the first tee.

It's like in commercial aviation. The First Officer will often perform the walk-around to ensure the aircraft is serviceable, but it is the Captains ultimate responsibility to ensure it is.

The caddy can check the clubs but it's unlikely he would notice that a putter was out of whack. Only the player could see that. In any case the time to have spotted it was the previous day when there would have been time to fix it. Lowry spotted it 8 minutes before his tee time.

First Up

PARlance wrote: »

Absolutely, it's strange that there was no practice, whatever about straight after the round but not spending a chunk of time in advance of his round would certainly buck the trend.
But Russmans "hilarious" point is far from folly. Maybe getting away from golf, in between rounds, works for Lowry.
Maybe 20 putts/a few minutes in advance is all that he needs to get a feel for the greens.

Lowry felt strongly enough about his 3 putt on 18 to give his putter a wallop. You would think that the next logical thing would be to revisit the stroke to at least get the bad vibe out of his head. Giving the putter a wallop and leaving it at that reminds me of Basil Fawlty whacking his car with a tree branch.

PARlance

First Up wrote: »

Lowry felt strongly enough about his 3 putt on 18 to give his putter a wallop. You would think that the next logical thing would be to revisit the stroke to at least get the bad vibe out of his head. Giving the putter a wallop and leaving it at that reminds me of Basil Fawlty whacking his car with a tree branch.

I would have thought that most pros would have gone to iron it out like you suggest, but then again, I'd say his poor putting was more of a mental thing rather than him having to revisit his stroke.
Who knows what is the best course of action for an individual when, if I am correct in assuming, it's was a mental error.

I'd be off the opinion to leave the Manuel enough alone to decide what is best for himself

Dbu

gorfield wrote: »

Spot on as always.... Your dead right to question why he didn't go straight to the putting green after his first round, shur it's obvious he went straight to the bar as usual. No wonder his career is gone down the drain.

A bitt OTT gorfield in my opinion
Think Harrington should have a look at the direction his golf career is taking and not Lowry,
He is also heading to Dubai now, and I would really fancy his chances of a T10
Granted he likes a beer, but he is improving massively imo, and will be a serious golfer in years to come. Remember this is only his 4th on tour.

PARlance

Dbu wrote: »

A bitt OTT gorfield in my opinion
Think Harrington should have a look at the direction his golf career is taking and not Lowry,
He is also heading to Dubai now, and I would really fancy his chances of a T10
Granted he likes a beer, but he is improving massively imo, and will be a serious golfer in years to come. Remember this is only his 4th on tour.

Think you may need a new one of these Dbu

Arsenium

Is it true that Padraig Harrington fixed Lowrys putter for him?

soundsham

What ever he's doing is working fine
He's 7th in putting in GIR on European tour

First Up

soundsham wrote: »

What ever he's doing is working fine
He's 7th in putting in GIR on European tour

All the more reason he should be kicking himself over what happened Thursday/Friday.

FixdePitchmark

Arsenium wrote: »

Is it true that Padraig Harrington fixed Lowrys putter for him?

Yes - he is looking at opening a golf shop.

He did BTW.

First Up

First Up wrote: »

All the more reason he should be kicking himself over what happened Thursday/Friday.

And he is 44th in putts per round so there is room for improvement.

Russman

First Up, serious question:
Do you have some sort of agenda or gripe with Lowry ? Maybe I'm reading it all wrong, and if I am then apologies, but you seem to be implying or of the opinion that he doesn't practice or isn't professional or some version of this theme.

If you are of that opinion, why ?

Not all pros practice their putting after a round, many do not. Many go to the range, just like many rest. There isn't a "one size fits all" approach. 7th in putting per GIR and 44th in putts per green is pretty good, considering the company he's in.

So he missed a short putt and had 3 putts on 18th, so what ? What good would kicking himself or getting angry do ? As I said before, if he'd missed 6 short putts maybe his technique could be questioned, but one or two ? Even Tiger misses the odd short one. It happens.

I think its perfectly reasonable for him not to see his putter til the next day - if that's what works for him, as opposed to what might or might not work for anyone else.

First Up

Russman wrote: »

First Up, serious question:
Do you have some sort of agenda or gripe with Lowry ? Maybe I'm reading it all wrong, and if I am then apologies, but you seem to be implying or of the opinion that he doesn't practice or isn't professional or some version of this theme.

If you are of that opinion, why ?

Not all pros practice their putting after a round, many do not. Many go to the range, just like many rest. There isn't a "one size fits all" approach. 7th in putting per GIR and 44th in putts per green is pretty good, considering the company he's in.

So he missed a short putt and had 3 putts on 18th, so what ? What good would kicking himself or getting angry do ? As I said before, if he'd missed 6 short putts maybe his technique could be questioned, but one or two ? Even Tiger misses the odd short one. It happens.

I think its perfectly reasonable for him not to see his putter til the next day - if that's what works for him, as opposed to what might or might not work for anyone else.

By the standards that apply at the top level, yes I would say that Lowry falls short.
A few years ago I played in a pro-am at Fota Island. McGinley was in the field and according to the lads who played with him, he made absolutely everything. Unreal.
We had the few jars, dinner and prizes etc and as we left at about 10pm, we spotted McGinley on the practice green, where he had been for over two hours.
It's not a matter of "what works for him". It's about the work in him.
It is ironic that Lowry was found out and paid a high price for taking Thursday evening off. Maybe he will learn from it, maybe not.

Russman

First Up wrote: »

By the standards that apply at the top level, yes I would say that Lowry falls short.
A few years ago I played in a pro-am at Fota Island. McGinley was in the field and according to the lads who played with him, he made absolutely everything. Unreal.
We had the few jars, dinner and prizes etc and as we left at about 10pm, we spotted McGinley on the practice green, where he had been for over two hours.
It's not a matter of "what works for him". It's about the work in him.
It is ironic that Lowry was found out and paid a high price for taking Thursday evening off. Maybe he will learn from it, maybe not.

Fair enough, I can see your point. But those standards are not uniform across the top level in golf. eg Montgomerie was a notorious non practicer and he did ok, Vijay Singh hits more balls than anyone and also had a great career. Different folks and all that. If putting in endless practice was the solution we'd all do it and Harrington wouldn't be in the state he's been in for the last 3 years.

I think you're being too harsh on Shane. Just because he didn't practice putting one evening in the middle of a tournament doesn't mean he doesn't put in the hours away from a tournament venue.

Plus, McGinley was never really able to putt as well as the top boys consistently, he needed the practice

searay

Shane was 3 over for the first 36 holes and in the bottom 10 positions. The putter problem may have contributed but whatever Shane did then, he shot 12 under for the last 36 holes, a 15 stroke improvement and moved up about 25 places in a good field.

If the putter was the problem, he certainly put it behind him and he isn't the first to have an equipment problem.

Long Turn

How do you know he took Thursday night off?

First Up

Long Turn wrote: »

How do you know he took Thursday night off?

He clearly took it off on the putting front.

First Up

searay wrote: »

Shane was 3 over for the first 36 holes and in the bottom 10 positions. The putter problem may have contributed but whatever Shane did then, he shot 12 under for the last 36 holes, a 15 stroke improvement and moved up about 25 places in a good field.

If the putter was the problem, he certainly put it behind him and he isn't the first to have an equipment problem.

Sigh.
It wasn't an equipment problem per see. It is the fact that he didn't know he had an equipment problem until it was too late to fix it on Friday.

Long Turn

So you are assuming he took Thursday evening off?

First Up

Long Turn wrote: »

So you are assuming he took Thursday evening off?

As regards putting practice, no assumption required.

Long Turn

You stated that he took Thursday evening off.
You don't know that and you should withdraw it if you want to have any credibility.

First Up

Long Turn wrote: »

You stated that he took Thursday evening off.
You don't know that and you should withdraw it if you want to have any credibility.

Which bit of he only noticed his damaged putter 8 minutes before he teed off on Friday is giving you trouble?

Long Turn

First Up wrote: »

Which bit of he only noticed his damaged putter 8 minutes before he teed off on Friday is giving you trouble?

You are a spoofer.
That's the last thing I will post.

searay

First Up wrote: »

Sigh.
It wasn't an equipment problem per see. It is the fact that he didn't know he had an equipment problem until it was too late to fix it on Friday.

No, I'm saying that he found a way of improving his score by 15 shots for the last 36 holes and I don't consider the criticism is warranted given he was 12 under for 2 rounds.

First Up

searay wrote: »

No, I'm saying that he found a way of improving his score by 15 shots for the last 36 holes and I don't consider the criticism is warranted given he was 12 under for 2 rounds.

He had his putter repaired for the final 36.

First Up

Long Turn wrote: »

You are a spoofer.
That's the last thing I will post.

You will be missed.