SwingingRoofer:
IM PRO TOUR I NEED TO KNOW HOW LESS I HIT EACH PUTT CAUSE BALL ROLLS FAST ON TOURNAMENT GREENS
I'm sure many people will reply with a set of percentages they use to work out the distancce, but I don't know that system so I will tell you about mine. My distances are almost always within 1 foot, it's my lateral movements I mess up on.
First I use the usual way of determining the actual distance, i.e. distance given +/- 1 foot for every inch difference in height.
However, I use the number of backswing movements in my putter to determine how hard to hit the ball, and of course, as you've noticed, this is different for every type of putter. Also of course how hard you hit the ball is different for different green speeds. So every time I get a new putter or I have to use a different green speed (i.e. I level up or if I were to play MP against a higher tiered player) I go to St Andrews #5 and #6 which have large flat areas, and I hit a ball (on a given speed of green) exactly one backswing in two opposing directions and average out the distance. I then do this for every putter increment and multiply up for the total distances. Then when I get out on the other courses for the first few rounds I monitor those distances very carefully and only amend them after 2 or 3 long (or short) putts. After a two rounds on each course I'm pretty confident of my distance.
Yes this takes time, and additionally you have to add a little to get the putt over the lip of the cup, and that is different for each course, although that 'difference' is generally the same regardless of the green speed, e.g. St Andrews I add 2ft uphill and 1ft downhill but on Oakmont I only add 1ft uphill and nothing downhill.
Then when using the putter, I move it back the relevant number of backswing movements then gauge the middle distances using meter movements, (this is the bit you have to learn to measure by eye).
I like the sound of the 'other' system but I haven't used it. Apparently you multiply the distance by a certain number depending on green speed, but to use that accurately you need WGT Caddy or the putter pal, I may try that soon, but not yet as I'm happy with my putting as it is, (if only I could read the bias better).