Learn to Putt Lesson 24

Finding your Style.

There has been a great deal of conversation lately concerning putting styles. These conversations are usually triggered when a famous player loses his or her way. Everyone with a voice then lends their opinion on what that player is doing wrong. These opinions are a source of frustration for me. Initially, because no one knows for sure all the reasons why a putt is missed. It could be a poor choice of start line. It could be the face angle doesn’t match the chosen start line. It could certainly be how fast the ball comes off the putter and does that momentum produced match the requirements of the green and gravity. Please notice I didn’t call it speed control. We don’t really control the speed. We only control initial velocity, the green and gravity take care of the rest. I find it is helpful to my clients to think in that manner. It stresses the importance of being able to predict the path the ball will take. 

My second source of frustration is when the commentators, either on public telecasts or social media accounts, use a poor putting performance as an opportunity to express their preference, rather than what might work for the player. These preferences often fall into two categories: More moving parts or fewer moving parts. Commentators like to talk about the flow of a stroke. I associate this with more moving parts, especially with the hands, wrists and/or elbows. Strokes that flow tend to have more moving parts. Softer wrists and elbows allow the joints to absorb the motion. I think it is important to point out that this concept only works for slower more rhythmical strokes. A three-beat stroke where count 1 is the backswing, count 2 is transition, with a small load or lag of the trail wrist. Count 3 takes the putter to the finish. I would also suggest this strategy works best with lighter weight and lower balance point, blade style putters. 

But what happens if you can’t control all the moving parts? Would you not look to a technique that is simpler, with fewer moving parts? Two of the most astounding turnarounds in recent history, are player who transitioned from more moving parts to fewer. This is coupled with a change in rhythm. Instead of three beats they reduce it to two. Turn, turn with the shoulders and chest or back through with a single arm dominant swing. It can be very effective. This strategy lends itself to high moi mallets with higher balance points. As they are built to swing in a pendulum style. 

How do you decide which is best for you? If you ask me, I am going to tell you it is something we need to discover for you. Often this starts with your putter preference. If you prefer a mallet, we suggest sourcing the stroke with less hand and wrist influence and more shoulders and chest. Bigger grips are common to this strategy. If you prefer a blade style putter or one with some toe hang, look to swing the putter with the focus on arms and wrists.