Been struggling with my putting this year. It became very apparent during my last round. I shot 79 with 40 (yes, four zero) putts. I carefully examined my round. 14 greens hit, which is a lot - so more putts than average should be expected. GIR putts were far above 2. 3-putted four times.
Listed the length of each putt. Some were long, some were not. I had six very good looks at birdie and several decent ones, but wasted all of them. One 6 meter putt for eagle that turned into a par and one 4 meter chip for eagle that also turned into par. Lousy lag putting on most holes.
It was obvious. Had I putted like my average buddy I would have shot par or better.
I felt I had studied what there was to study about putting. Right forearm lined up. Good grip verified several with earlier instructors. Head movement ok. I had a decent routine. Knew what I wanted to do. Had a clear tactic regarding reading the greens. I had my mental attitude where I wanted it. I have two different putters for different greens. I have been altering between a push basic (paw) and "rocking" (sorry, no yellow book handy).
So I felt I knew what I needed to know. Still. Less able golfers who did not know what they were doing were able to putt better than me.
It was obvious. No more of this. Off to the instructor.
I was lucky. My instructor is a former European Tour player. Furthermore he used to be one of the best putters on tour in his prime.
He made me hit 6 putts from different distances. They were so-so, but not bad. He liked everything about my techy reasoning about putting, letting the cerebellum take over and such. He liked the way I read the green. He liked my setup. He liked my grip.
BUT
He did NOT like my RHYTHM.
I found that interesting. Is it possible that I've forgotten the single most important fundamental. Forgot what Homer said: "If I could describe rhythm I would not have to write the book".
Wow.
He showed me his putting and everything fell in place. He is simply APPLYING RHYTHM. *O*M*G*
I felt ashamed and very happy at the same time.
It took some practice. Slight modification of the routine. I could do everything the way I used to do it. He took me through how to feel it while putting. Not the slow sweeping longer-swing stroke I used to have, but more of a Tiger Woods jab at the ball. Shorter. More compact. More dynamic. More rhythm.
And I started putting REALLY well.
Suddenly I felt I could hole everything from 6 feet, which I never could. 4 footers became a done deal.
30+ footers were not instantly successful. I got stuck on some techy thoughts. But the instructor soon made me find the rhythm also for those putts.
I was so fascinated I stayed on the putting green for 2 hours. Can't wait to take it to the course!!
Feel the
RHYTHM!
Hybrid Mode
