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Re: Short Putts

Sat, Mar 1 2025 5:42 AM (7 replies)
  • RickDana340
    3 Posts
    Thu, Feb 27 2025 4:48 PM

    Back round: Been playing for 2 mo. I'm at Level 79/Master with a decent TM driver, L16/17 Ping set w/starter putter using L33 Callaway's. My average including coin games is about par. My long putts/lags are very good and many approach shots are within 3/5'. What's driving me crazy is the pin placements that want to turn almost 90 degrees. I'm leaving 3/4 strokes on the table every round. I prefer off ding putting and would like to survive until the level 90's to make the big equipment move. My 0-5ft putting is in the 40% range so that's not acceptable. Guessing i should just push thru with playing and practice but any tips for the short term would be appreciated.

  • Lesthanpar
    1,528 Posts
    Fri, Feb 28 2025 1:15 AM

    Its speed for the line you chose. Hit it softly to die at the hole it will break more, hit it firm to try to ram it in and it will break less. Like trying to hit it through the break a bit Speed is just as important if not more important than aim for the line you choose. I hear you wanting to hold off on a better putter but there are some options available to you at your level that would serve you well to level 90 and beyond. Not that a better putter automatically makes you a great putter, it doesn't but you should make more putts with a better putter after you learn it and the different scales. 

  • BlackBogey
    657 Posts
    Fri, Feb 28 2025 9:52 PM

    RickDana340:

    Back round: Been playing for 2 mo. I'm at Level 79/Master with a decent TM driver, L16/17 Ping set w/starter putter using L33 Callaway's. My average including coin games is about par. My long putts/lags are very good and many approach shots are within 3/5'. What's driving me crazy is the pin placements that want to turn almost 90 degrees. I'm leaving 3/4 strokes on the table every round. I prefer off ding putting and would like to survive until the level 90's to make the big equipment move. My 0-5ft putting is in the 40% range so that's not acceptable. Guessing i should just push thru with playing and practice but any tips for the short term would be appreciated.

    Your Avg. Dist. to Pin of 21 feet isn't doing you any favors.  I know that doesn't answer your question directly, but the best way to improve putting is to start from closer.  Putting is the hardest part of this game to figure out for most.

    For the ones inside 5 feet, probably to try less break/more speed, it might help you out. 

    Another thing to consider, if you're having a lot of putts breaking severely at the cup you're probably not leaving you approaches on the correct side of the hole.  That just comes down to course knowledge and experience mostly, and as your approach distance gets down closer to the 15' range instead of 21' you'll be able to be more precise with where you're missing.  When you hit L85 I'd recommend the Callaway irons if the budget can afford it, and upgrade the wedges to something decent with decent spin and high trajectory.  Those 2 things will help with your approach game, resulting in lower scores. 

    And if/when you get some higher level irons, definitely drop the hybrid and add a 64* wedge - that alone would probably shave a few strokes off your average immediately with the variety of shots you can hit to save par when you miss greens (which appears to be about 37% of the time).

  • RickDana340
    3 Posts
    Sat, Mar 1 2025 5:29 AM

    Thank you for the advice. Gonna play some this weekend and focus on that. Should lead to some better results for now with practice. Thx again.

  • RickDana340
    3 Posts
    Sat, Mar 1 2025 5:42 AM

    Thanks BB. I get what you mean about the approach locations. Been trying to keep track in my head about the green contours, but i think a bit of note taking would benefit me with so many holes available. When playing this weekend, i'm gonna work on that along with limiting mistakes on the fairways (rough...lol). 

    Looking forward to my equipment upgrade in the future, but with the wife and i on Social Security i have to be prudent on spending, but i'm saving toward it.

    Thx. again

  • SimonTheBeetle
    3,791 Posts
    Sat, Mar 1 2025 2:15 PM

    Lesthanpar:
    Its speed for the line you chose. Hit it softly to die at the hole it will break more, hit it firm to try to ram it in and it will break less. Like trying to hit it through the break a bit Speed is just as important if not more important than aim for the line you choose.

    +1

    It's all about power, how hard you hit the ball.

    Knowing it is one thing and perfectly executing it is another, though...

    BlackBogey:

    Your Avg. Dist. to Pin of 21 feet isn't doing you any favors.  I know that doesn't answer your question directly, but the best way to improve putting is to start from closer.  Putting is the hardest part of this game to figure out for most.

    For the ones inside 5 feet, probably to try less break/more speed, it might help you out. 

    Another thing to consider, if you're having a lot of putts breaking severely at the cup you're probably not leaving you approaches on the correct side of the hole.  That just comes down to course knowledge and experience mostly, and as your approach distance gets down closer to the 15' range instead of 21' you'll be able to be more precise with where you're missing.  When you hit L85 I'd recommend the Callaway irons if the budget can afford it, and upgrade the wedges to something decent with decent spin and high trajectory.  Those 2 things will help with your approach game, resulting in lower scores. 

    And if/when you get some higher level irons, definitely drop the hybrid and add a 64* wedge - that alone would probably shave a few strokes off your average immediately with the variety of shots you can hit to save par when you miss greens (which appears to be about 37% of the time).

    This advice is so valid that if I were you, I'd write it down and take it to heart! Well penned! 👍

  • BlackBogey
    657 Posts
    Sat, Mar 1 2025 3:52 PM

    SimonTheBeetle:

    This advice is so valid that if I were you, I'd write it down and take it to heart! Well penned! 👍

    I'm not sure if that was meant as a compliment, but I'm taking it that way 🤣🙏

     

  • SimonTheBeetle
    3,791 Posts
    Sat, Mar 1 2025 5:11 PM

    BlackBogey:
    I'm not sure if that was meant as a compliment, but I'm taking it that way 🤣🙏

    I meant what I said, Jay, no hidden meaning.

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