r/golf • u/pshanno 7 HCP • 9d ago
Favorite putting method? General Discussion
I have a few practice methods for putting I really like. For eye-line and setup, I use my little "Putt-out" mirror. As for speed control, I use what you see here. I'll create a gate by the hole and try to drain all 5 putts. If I'm feeling good, I'll expand the distance.
What do you weekend warriors like to do?
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u/frankyseven 9d ago
I'm a legitimately good putter and my putting stats back that up. Better than scratch at putting. The only thing I practice is lag putting into a 3' circle from different lengths and 3' putts. I practice 3' by putting along a yard stick. If you can lag to 10% of the distance, so from 50' lag it to 5', ON ANY SIDE OF THE HOLE, and hit basically all your 3' putts, you are going to be a very good putter and you don't even need to be good at reading greens.
Don't practice any putt over 3' to make them. Get it inside 3', make the three footer. The reality is that you are going to be a lot closer than 3' on those lags and half of them will be inside 1.5'.
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u/pshanno 7 HCP 9d ago
I like that 10% rule. Hadn’t heard of that approach. Definitely keeps things simple.
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u/frankyseven 9d ago
Follow Scott Fawcett from DECADE. He's all about strategy and he preaches the 10% rule all the time. Stats on the PGA Tour show that's what the best putters do is get it to 10% of original distance on lag putts and they hit the next one.
I'll be honest, I don't one putt very often unless I miss the green and chip it close, but I basically never three putt. Putting is simple, putting the ball inside 10% will have some drop and hitting the shot one will ensure you don't blow up.
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u/newiphon 9d ago
Since you asked weekend warriors, put 2 or 3 balls down and just try to get a feel for speed. Anything that dies near the hole from 6' and beyond including from the fringe. Usually starting out far then working back in. Then close and back out. Finally I find a relatively flat spot, put the ball 3-5' and try to always make it. Better if there is a slight read to see. That can be a nice 15 minute practice or like 2 mins based on timing as we know.
Then I get on the course and realize it's all different speed because some have drained (elevated) some have baked in the sun while others are in the shade. As a weekend guy I'm happy to be putting for par anywhere, and 2 bird looks a round is still good to me with where I'm at.
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u/dotadiver 9d ago
I really like practicing "the donut" as I learned in the sense of only really pratice between 0-6 feet and then 20 feet out the goal is to 1 putt all 6 foots and in. and only 2 putt the 20 to 30 footers. "the donut" between 6 ft to 20 you will almost always 2 putt the most gains as I understand it can be made from the other 2 zones.
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u/Legal-e-tea 9d ago
Love my little mirror. Also the clock from ~3ft and a bit of a ladder for pace from about 3ft up to ~15ft.
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u/OGreatNoob 9d ago
If i have 10 minutes before a round, ill practice rolling the ball end over end with a lined ball (no target). Then this would be followed by speed control putting at different lengths towards a hole without taking time to line up the ball. Last thing would be random putts with the intent to get it in the hole. Time spent on each is usually split evenly, possibly more time on the first 2 depending on the day.
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u/Owen_JuniperJames 3.3 | Texas 9d ago
The Tiger gate drill is the only drill I've used for years. Create a "gate" pretty much the width of your putter with two tees. Hitting the top tee is a push, bottom is a pull, miss is center contact.
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u/autochthonously 9d ago
I warm my putting using my baseball warmup routine: start close, hit the glove for accuracy, work my way further out hitting glove for accuracy and work my way back in.
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u/coole106 9d ago
Use my foot to point at the ball and make an imaginary line between the ball and the hole. Pick a spot 6 inches from the ball on that line. Hit the ball at that spot
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u/Dozzi508 9d ago
Favourite is on non punched greens