Breaking The "Average" Barrier.

I started focusing on putting instruction around 15 years ago. I was working for a company that was an early distributor for Science and Motion Puttlab in the US. This was about the same time that Trackman was introduced, so it was the early age of technology for teaching and fitting. While the skeptics outnumbered the believers at the time, I was convinced the technology was the code breaker for putting. Now 15 years later, we have a million times better understanding of the geometry and mechanics involved in the putting stroke. However, over the last 10 years we have not seen any statistical improvement. On Tour we still make about 50% of our putts from 8 feet, which I believe is a benchmark stat, and it has been that way for 10 years. The stats guys will start firing corrections at me at this point, but regardless how we position the numbers, the stats do not tell us why we aren't any better. What they do tell us, clearly, is that ON AVERAGE we have not gotten better!  

When it comes to golf Average is a lousy standard. At least that was something Mr. Palmer always stressed to me. I am getting away from my point, but I know his acceptable standards are what won him his majors, as much as his talent. Performing at an average level might make you better than you are now, but certainly from a competitive point of view, average is not good enough. It becomes a wall or barrier. So, you must ask yourself, has 50% from 8 feet become a barrier and why are we not getting better? The following, idea is not going to be popular but is absolutely a reason to consider. 

Putter Design. 

The idea of more forgiving golf equipment might be helpful from a full swing perspective, but when it comes to the exact nature of putting it is a big step toward average. It is fair to say that those at the highest skill level control impact better than those who are average performers. There have been several studies pertaining to impact that all show the same result. The smaller the dispersion of impact points on the putter the better the performance. Finding the center of the putter is a feel-based task. You make a stroke that provides solid impact, you will copy the feel of that stroke. The problem with many modern designs is that they mask the feedback. An off-center strike “feels” the same as a solid one. The problem is, even with all the technology to help, with a strike on the toe or heel comes different ball performance. What you feel will not match your expectations of read. In effect, you never learn.  

This concept is so important that has become my priority as an instructor. Find the set-up, motion sequence, and putter design where you “flush” every putt. Once you achieve that, you will be well on your way to finding the other information you need. Over the next series of posts, I will expand on some of the other reasons I believe hurt us pertaining to putting. But it all starts with impact.  

Finding Continuity In your Golf Game.

OK, I will be glad to admit this might be my version of a golf Hot Take. But, over the past few months I have seen some real success in looking at full swing tendencies to help putting strokes. So today I put this idea out there for discussion. I admit this is not an original idea. Over the years I have heard several instructors talk about “releasing the club” with a similar feel through the bag. Sean Foley with Tiger Woods is the one that comes to mind first. 

The key component is a match of the trail hand grip. With the help of the ULTIMATE GOLF LESSON screens, I have a new clarity on how a player should grip the putter. Without going into 20 pages of detail, what I am saying is if you play weak in your full swing you should play weak with the putter. Or strong, or neutral or anywhere in between, as long as they match. 

 

As the trail arm extends it seeks a certain orientation, so if the trail hand is out of position, as the forearm rotates the face rotates with it. Shut becomes open, Open becomes shut. In practice, we have asked all players who use what I would call an alternative grip to check using the screen. We rarely see a match. In a sense it is like the hand has a mind of its own. If you argue with it, it fights back. 

Understanding this concept, I now have a more specific answer to the fitting question, “what is the best grip?” The problem is that putter grips are not always designed to match your hands or the orientation of your hands. Also certain grips tend to benefit certain putter designs. The best example is the PingMan grip with a Anser or Newport style putter. Mr. Solheim designed all components of the original Anser to work in harmony. 

 

To anyone who wishes to dig deeper in this and other topics pertaining to putting, I encourage you to participate in my online course this winter, please contact me to sign up.