Getting the Speed Right in Putting

Practice
#63

I apologize, as it seems unclear to you. When I wrote within 3 feet of the hole, … I was attempting to say at any point 3 feet from the hole… it could be 3 feet short, 3 feet past, 3 feet to the right, 3 feet to the left… so it is essentially within the length of the putter from the hole… then you are within 3 feet.

Yes if it good to be 18 inches past as Pelz might recommend. However, that is TOO narrow a margin from 50-60 feet. If you get really good at within 3 feet of the hole, then we can either tighten it up to 2 feet, or 1 foot, … or make it only 3 feet past the hole, then 2 feet, then 1 foot… YOU determine how tight you want the parameters based on your skill.

I can absolutely say that if you make it too tough at first, you will blow the drill off as being impossible… or it will erode your self confidence. While drill are good at building skills, they should develop both technical skills (like distance control) and mental skills (like increasing your confidence)

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#64

i putt side saddle which has some of the benefits of this. I don’t believe this putter is conforming. The lie angle needs to be at least 10 degrees off vertical and this appears to be straight vertical. I think there also may be some issue with the way he strokes the ball with a pushing motion but I’m no rule expert.

#65

I believe the finishing point varies based on length of the putt, but from 30+ feet, he’d say you should be short about 50% of the time I think. As the putt length gets shorter that should change. Issue is a good quality range from front to back of 20 putts you hit from 30 feet is likely about 4 feet long. Center that on the hole and you’re not gonna 3 putt much. You’ll be 2 feet short to 2 feet long. Center it 18 inches by the hole and now that one that goes 2 feet long is 3.5 feet away which is missable. From 10 feet you should likely be aiming a foot or so by the hole since your range of putts is likely only 12-18 inches long. Now you’re still within 2 feet with the one that goes long.

It’s interesting I think looking at the pros and where their strengths are. Jordan Spieth when he was good was a wonderful long putter. Slightly suspect on the shorter ones (relatively speaking). His speed control was other worldly. Not quite so good at starting it on line, but for longer putts that isn’t that important. Others are very good at holing the short ones, but don’t have quite as good speed control. Tiger at his best was both. Incredible speed and started it on line all the time. Keeping your stats will help you understand if it’s your line or length (or both) that’s a problem and then you know what to work on.

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#66

Yes!! Much better explanation - thx :+1:

#67

The Pelz research is often cited, and I have used it for years. It is the scientificly (per his experiments) best distance to go past the hole to avoid the imperfections around the cup (lumpy donut) and still offer a high area of cup catch. So, if one could control speed perfectly, that pace gives the best chance for a make. I don’t control speed that well and as others have noted college players don’t either (probably not pros either), so my goal is to give the best chance for making many putts without chancing a missed second putt. Moving that dispersion closer to the cup keeps my percentages up.

Agree with others saying that our target distance should change as the putt distance gets closer to the hole.

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#68

Thanks for the clarification. Makes sense now and should clarify for those “ within a putter is a gimme” folks!

#69

That’s helpful, I think! Never sure about speed NEEDED, I tend to overshoot the hole by 3 - 6 feet - but I see pros that hit fast, I’m not sure if the faster speed keeps the ball on a straighter line so it doesn’t wander to the side…

#70

Yes. There’s a trade-off, on most putts, between speed vs line; plus someone alluded to it above - there’s a thing called “hole capture speed” … basically a faster putt = an effectively smaller hole. Which means if firmer putts miss they may run further past the hole (vs,eg., a putt speed intended to roll to the hole).

You will see the pros, and many players, on SHORT putts hit them pretty firm to reduce the break (but be sure your line and your stroke are good!).

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#71

Thanks! Answers the question I was trying to express! The break is the wandering off course, correct! I think I need better glasses…for seeing the path to the hole. And of course more practice for a better feel…

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#72

No substitute for (lots of!) putting practice. Such an important part of the game.

Reading greens is hard! Breaks can be subtle but still influence the ball. Experience and rolling putts helps!

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#73

Guess we’re all playing checkers and Sergio is playing chess and has figured it out. He’s putting with his eyes closed this week!!! (he’s gone 68 68 too!)

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#74

I’ve always felt this worked for me personally and has been my general putting style. With my dispersion some are going to be a little short, some die in, some strong in the cup. When I try to “putt past” I wind up with way too many faaar past.

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#75

↑ agreed … my overriding method is to work to “get the first one (really) close”

So for me, on basically every putt working to get the right speed is the #1 priority!

#76

I love this concept of the “perfect speed” goal varying for the type of putt. From 50 feet, the goal is to get it within three feet, with the cup as the middle of the dispersion. You’re not trying to hit it 12-18” past on a 50 foot putt. As you get closer, you can move the perfect speed of the putt gradually further beyond the hole until the perfect speed would get you 12-18” past.

I played today on beautiful fast firm and true greens and my speed was fantastic, as I focused on nothing but speed, even though these greens were way faster and former than what I normally play on. I think without this forum I would have normally been quite intimidated by how fast they were. Instead, I relished each opportunity to roll it perfectly. Focusing on speed only and not direction or line or technique also totally freed up my stroke. One of my best putting days ever!

Thanks to the community for all the great feedback!

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#77

And… to the extent you are able… try to “leave” the ball on the downhill side

#78

I recall seeing some data (maybe from @LouStagner) that implied the PGA tour leaves are around 10%, which seems logical. From 50’ a 5’ average leave is ok.

#79

I’m a big fan of Mickelson short game videos on this. Same tempo ever putt but vary the back swing length. This has helped my lag putting tremendously.

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#80

Yeah I love that method, and have been working hard on improving my skill with it. Not for everyone but for me it’s really helping also!

#81

A 2 foot downhill putt is better than a 3 foot uphill putt. Playing to leave yourself an uphill putt will result in a longer average next putt, which is not good. Try and leave it dead.

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#82

Went out and practiced my 42 footers tonight (14 paces). As others have said in this thread and maybe others, I found it was much easier to control the speed with a longer backstroke and what felt like zero acceleration, rather than a shorter backswing that requires a quick acceleration or what feels like a “hit”, rather than a stroke. Which makes sense- harder to be consistent with a quick acceleration hit than simply by varying the length of the backstroke. It also made it easier to have consistent center contact. This is exactly what Pat O’Brien teaches on the Putting Couch Podcast. It takes a little courage to take the putter back that far, but once you do it starts to feel so fun and smooth!

Also lengthened my putter two inches from 33.5” to 35.5” per the SeeMore fitting method on their website. Has me in a better stance to make a freer more relaxed stroke! Lots of good changes!

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