- Moderator
- #26
Neb, I really like to look at every putt as a straight one. Not so much that it results in a straight line, but rather, my ability to let the ball roll naturally on it's course rather than manipulating something in my stroke to improve the break or fight it. What I have done is try to take away a lot of the crazy thoughts that go through my head when I am putting, and limit the calculations to be a more simplified and confident process.
There are a couple of things I consider when reading break:
1 - Uphill putts are inevitably going to break less, because you are placing a stronger stroke on the ball -- I'm sure you've heard announcers talk about 'putting through the break' and a lot of that has to do with speed.
2 - Depending on speed, breaks closer to the hole will often play a greater role on putting line because of pace (again). I'm sure you've seen your ball look like it's going dead center only to break off at the very last second and wonder how the break can take it so much at that spot.
3 - (and this is specific to region) how much the grain plays into the stroke. Don't even ask me about this, because I am NOT a good putter on bermuda.
Anyways, when I look at a putt, I consider where the apex of my putting line needs to be, considering pace, to get the ball to the hole (and in my case, generally let it die into the hole as opposed to running it by). I've made a little visual for reference.
- The blue line represents a straight putt to the hole.
- The green line represents a downhill putt. I consider the distance reduction and think about a straight putt with the hole being where the square is on that line (for pace), and then allow the ball to fall down towards the actual hole in my putt.
- The red line is an uphill putt. I consider the hole to be where the square is, and factor in reduced break because of it being uphill.
Beyond that, I pick something on line about a foot or two beyond the ball on my intended line as a secondary alignment to confirm my setup and take a run at the putt. Once again, reducing my likelihood of standing over the ball and talking myself out of my stroke.
I think putting is a very personal thing -- This is just what I do to get out of my own head and let the green do the work rather than my putting stroke. I look forward to following along with your putting efforts Neb!
There are a couple of things I consider when reading break:
1 - Uphill putts are inevitably going to break less, because you are placing a stronger stroke on the ball -- I'm sure you've heard announcers talk about 'putting through the break' and a lot of that has to do with speed.
2 - Depending on speed, breaks closer to the hole will often play a greater role on putting line because of pace (again). I'm sure you've seen your ball look like it's going dead center only to break off at the very last second and wonder how the break can take it so much at that spot.
3 - (and this is specific to region) how much the grain plays into the stroke. Don't even ask me about this, because I am NOT a good putter on bermuda.
Anyways, when I look at a putt, I consider where the apex of my putting line needs to be, considering pace, to get the ball to the hole (and in my case, generally let it die into the hole as opposed to running it by). I've made a little visual for reference.
- The blue line represents a straight putt to the hole.
- The green line represents a downhill putt. I consider the distance reduction and think about a straight putt with the hole being where the square is on that line (for pace), and then allow the ball to fall down towards the actual hole in my putt.
- The red line is an uphill putt. I consider the hole to be where the square is, and factor in reduced break because of it being uphill.
Beyond that, I pick something on line about a foot or two beyond the ball on my intended line as a secondary alignment to confirm my setup and take a run at the putt. Once again, reducing my likelihood of standing over the ball and talking myself out of my stroke.
I think putting is a very personal thing -- This is just what I do to get out of my own head and let the green do the work rather than my putting stroke. I look forward to following along with your putting efforts Neb!