I’m normally not very analytical about my golf game. But reading Dave Pelz Putting Bible taught me a number of lessons about putting that were really eye opening. The book has been around for twenty years but if you haven’t read it, check it out.
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I like a gate drill for short putts to make sure my path is correct.
Find a flat putt about 3 to 5 feet long.
Put a ball down and square your putter to the line.
Then, put tees on either side of the putter head giving yourself a little room to either side. This is your “gate” and where you will putt from in this drill.
Next, put a tee behind the tee that’s to the right of your path (assuming you’re right handed) about 4 inches back.
Now hit some putts and make sure (1) your putter doesn’t hit either of the tees in your gate and (2) you don’t go outside the tee that’s behind your gate.
This is a very simple drill for solid short putting.
I’ve been watching the series on YouTube called the Lost Art Of Putting. Really useful. The biggest takeaway I got from it is to spend more time on the speed of puts and don’t obsess over the line.
They also talk about the mental side of putting, which for me is so important. I putt so much better when I’m in the right frame of mind.
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I think speed is the biggest key. If you can get a 30 footer close enough, consistently then you won’t have three putts. The goal for every golfer should be no three putts, each round. Trying not to think about the round before and enjoying the moment. I made a goal for the year to go 36 holes without a three putt. I have made it to 34. It’s hard to stay consistent with distance.
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Have heard great things about their teaching methods, I’ve been meaning to read their books
cpogoose I couldn’t agree with you more. I use the ERC also and find that it has helped my putting. Not trying to promote the company or ball, but I think if more people would try to use it, they may find out that it will increase their awareness of their line.
I will check this out, thats outstanding…thank you
Going to pick up Juan’s book!!!
Just an fyi on other two resources I was referred to and have found helpful…
- “Unconscious Putting” by Dave Stockton
- video tips from Phil Kenyon on his website
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Unconscious Putting is a great book, highly recommend to anyone who wants to become a better putter.
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Juan - I’ve ordered your book on Amazon … looking forward to digging through it!!
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Thanks for ordering the book… when you get it, you will find in the introduction my e-mail address. Write me if you have any questions, would like help developing practice plans, etc. I did the book as a fun project… Anyways, I hope you apply the ideas in the book, and if you do, I am sure you will: Win More Matches, Have More Fun AND Make More Putts!
Thanks again.
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Thank you!! I may take you up on that👍
I am ordering the book as well.
Thank you … and if you have any questions as you go through it and develop your practice plans, send me a note. My e-mail address is at the end of the Introduction in the book, or PM me here. Here’s to you Making More Putts.
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I had a round recently at a course I play maybe 2x a year at most so not super familiar with the green intricacies. I had a pretty good ball striking day: 9/14 FIR(most misses not far off) 9/18 GIR but my biggest problem was the 39 putts(3 putt 7x) en route to my 89. For the most part I was happy with the round but those 7 strokes I left out there have me wondering how some of you practice putting tiered greens. Most of those 3 putts I was approx 30-50ft from the hole on the wrong level and had a lot of 8-12 footers for my 2nd putt. I do the ladder drill often to get my feel down but was curious if any of you have something you practice that’s anything short of playing this course more and getting more familiar w/ the greens?
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I will be following this thread. You question is a VERY TOUGH one. I know for me, I was able to find a couple of tiers on a practice green I spent some time on … it was a game saver… Going up a tier is less of a challenge… coming down is a bear, since you have to estimate roll out.
Here is what I do for putting up a tier. I read the green from the tier to the hole, and then from the location of the ball to the top of the tier. Since based on your location the upslope has an impact on the direction. This gives me the line I need to putt on.
Now we need the speed. When I am on the top tier I make a putting stroke that I think will be the amount needed to make the putt from where the top tier starts is to the hole. Then I go to my ball location and make another practice swing to gauge the amount of energy it takes to get the ball onto the top tier. Then I just let my mind combine those to strokes - amount of energy and stroke the ball. Your brain is powerful and I know this works… it just takes some practice and trust.
You can apply the same idea in reverse from putting down a tier. … both for the read and the energy. I get right to the top of the tier when it starts to drop off and determine, how far the ball will roll out, if I just barely get it over the edge… then… well you get the idea. Hope this helps.
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Yes, definitely does - thx!
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Seems like a two tiered practice green would be a huge resource for practice.
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Slow motion putting strokes. Watch the face square at impact.
You have that many holes with two tiers? That feels like a lot. But anyway, be that as it may I would try to keep track of what the putts are and how you’re missing them. Up a tier, down a tier, short, long, left and right. Figure out what your trends are and then adapt to that.
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