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Putting Tip: Distance Control

• StephanieCA 258 Posts

  Sun, May 29 2016 7:26 AM

  JFidanza:

  Jimbog1964:

  For anyone who struggles with putting, learning it by using ding only might help.  Concentrate on getting all the basics right, and then build missing the ding in after that if desired.

  +1

   

   

  Ok Y'all, 

  So I am by no means an expert here but I feel my putting works more often than not and has saved many games where my approach could have been better. Putting here, like in RL, saves strokes and wins games. I have discovered in my short time here that much like in real life, putts are missed quite often on the low side by the less experienced  (i.e. - ball rolls past the hole for instance on a left to right break on the right side which means not enough break was considered. Conversely in same scenario, rolling past the hole on the left side means too much break was assumed). The only way to overcome this is to line up the putt and when you are not sure of just how much break to consider, then readjust, assuming a tiny bit more break. By allowing for a little more break you will find that more of your putts will slip into the top side of the cup on more severe breaking putts. Distance is also critical so I most often hit the distance zone or meter at more than 50% of what is shown in the "green distance bar". This is where the "never up, never in" phrase is true. Also, a player simply needs to invest in a better putter. It will provide for more accuracy when you do hit "the ding" and offer forgiveness when not hitting "the ding". In summary, focus on the basics - try your best to judge the break & correct distance (amount of roll) and invest in a putter. 

  See you on the Tee :)

  Steph

• K7JBQ 1,468 Posts

  Sun, May 29 2016 8:59 AM

  Steph,

  You haven't been here long, but that is excellent advice. I would only add that as green speeds increase, so does the amount of break. I'm used to 12 green speed but when I play a round with 13 speed, I find I need to add just a bit more break.

  Another note on green speeds. I've noticed that a lot of newer players try to compensate for break by hitting the ball harder to take the break away. Folks, this will work tolerably well at lower levels and slower greens but as you move up, remember, it's a putter, not a hockey stick. There are situations where you need to be firm with the putter, but be careful out there.

• StephanieCA 258 Posts

  Sun, May 29 2016 9:32 AM

  Thank you  K7 :) Along the same thought, I would add that putts break more going downhill than uphill.

  See you on the Tee :)

  Steph

• Jimbog1964 8,378 Posts

  Sun, May 29 2016 11:28 AM

  @ Steph

  It is true you have not been here long.  My assumption from what you say is that IRL you likely have a reasonable eye for a ball.  Most that have that can pretty much play any ball game to an OK standard pretty quick.  Years of training / practice to separate the latest overnight sensation from the rest, but essentially that's it.  

  I fully agree never up never in, and don't miss low side.  Here as IRL the latter especially is a compromise if downhill on ultra fast.  Not rereading what you said to say how much you said on it or not, but worth pointing out.  Anyone disagrees try it at Merion here, and see how many return putts you make going that gung-ho downhill on champ.

  I would just point out that some putters really cope well with off ding putting, and some great players exploit that very very well.  They avoid putters that have too much forgiveness for that reason.  

  My comments really were for those that are struggling.  Like I said for those start with the ding as it forces nothing other than speed and break reading.  It is essential also to understand the attributes of a given putter  (Nikes take deeper scales less well for distance consistency example).  Some will advocate avatar movements and say that's RL correlation for them.  Fior me the opposite is true and I prefer known drawbacks in % terms of my range.  IRL I know my putt distances based on drawback length thinking in %s of total not notches.  Whatever works and neither more right or wrong than the other.  

  I have not played much lately but tried all the putters. For me that little L70 Versa beats the lot.  It takes my RL thinking great and good enough.  It's also good enough for an excellent player to win 1000 credit RGs with, and anyone up against him always knows he is there.  Basically past a point go with what putter you like and learn it inside out, and it won't necessarily  be the "best".

  My thoughts :) 

   

• StephanieCA 258 Posts

  Sun, May 29 2016 11:42 AM

  Hi Jim,

  Yes, I do play golf IRL and have a decent game, I guess. I use the Versa, flat blade putter cause it resembles my putter IRL and offers what I need. Others may have a different preference but totally agree - use what works for you....

  Steph

• Jimbog1964 8,378 Posts

  Sun, May 29 2016 11:56 AM

  StephanieCA:

  Hi Jim,

  Yes, I do play golf IRL and have a decent game, I guess. I use the Versa, flat blade putter cause it resembles my putter IRL and offers what I need. Others may have a different preference but totally agree - use what works for you....

  Steph

  Indeed.  All I would say is it's not necessarily all about the ding here.  (edit: far from it on an always basis anyway, but loads of threads on that)  

  Nice CC you joined BTW, and please do give my regards to SP :)  

• YankeeJim 25,827 Posts

  Sun, May 29 2016 2:14 PM

  Jimbog1964:

  All I would say is it's not necessarily all about the ding here.

  This is true unless you commit to the ding and stick to it. I'm a ding putter simply because the M1 is deadly with it and I found that my misses are generally what I miss the ding by. It's frustrating at times but I stay with it because I know this game goes in streaks and were I to try and monkey with my personal style of putting, I would probably extend those slumps we all go through.

  I know a lot of miss-ding putters see the same streaks I do. Some days the line jumps at you off the screen and the putting just becomes a reflex. Other times you find yourself questioning lines and wondering how much to aim and how much to miss by.

  As a ding putter I know if I ding one and miss it, the read was wrong or I hit it too hard. 13.0 greens and above are really sensitive to the speed of the roll and that's what makes them so hard. Get that speed right and the side doors of the cup open up and mishits drop. And above all, do not be afraid of a 2-3 foot return-give your putt a chance to get in the hole instead of hoping it falls in the front door. It also eliminates those WTF 2- inchers that come up short.  :-)

• Jimbog1964 8,378 Posts

  Sun, May 29 2016 7:18 PM

  Agree Jim.  Only said it to bring out that other people do fine in this game with other ways.  

  I said learning with a ding method if struggling is best, and it's as good a way as any to stick with anyway.  

  IMO the worst way to do it is hardly ever moving the aim marker, and usually doing it all with ding missing.  Having said that some have good stats even with that.

  Also going that 2 or 3 ' past each time you miss is a good way to weight a putt.  A good putter should be able to make those.  OK some holes at Merion you don't want to be 3' above / above to the side a pin on champ 13 but short of that a good way.

  Some days you will see the line and some not so much I also agree.  WGT do vary green speeds, and some adjust better with what is in front of them than others too.  Before the actual stimp speeds were shown it was taken as read you went firm first putt in a RG, and just went with what was gauging best you could from that.  

  Anyone struggling Beth F9 or B9 with their green speed chart (I think basic is fine but many takes), and get some confidence up on say V Fast at most, and then move to more challenging.  Will be good and bad days no matter what but stick with it and will come.

  Per several vids I have posted I am def not a ding only putter.  I work around the ding but oftentimes set up to build a slight miss or more in to hold a line.  I did OK in RGs with that (lower level ones LOL knowing my limits)...Big topic and much of it an art that needs to be learned over time, but kicking off with the basics as I outlined for momentum will get especially strugglers a long way too.