Forum > Any other business?

Matt Culling

I took up golf properly and have just started regularly again this year now the snow has cleared up. I'm starting to get myself under 100 on a regular basis now and have been looking at where I can improve my game. My driving has got much more consistant, and I hit 11 out of 14 fairways today, but I feel like I'm hitting too many 3 putts.

I finished with 41 putts today which feeld like a lot, but how many is average for a high handicapper like me? Is this the best area to focus to drive myself down towards scoring in the low nineties?

Thanks in advance

John Pettitt

41 putts is not something you should be doing on a regular basis, Matt. It requires no strength to putt so we are all equal when it comes to this department of the game.

Practice is the only way to get a sound solid putting stroke, but feel for distance is something which, can be learned, but comes easiest to those who spend time on the practice putting green.

Patrick Bourke

 Sound advice from JP. Matt, I'd nip this in the bud while you're still new.

 I have on occasion done the 43 putts thing after a great tee to green game. Don't get into the situation where you're terrified of putting as it is an absolute misery. Practice, practice and practice. I think that  'getting the range' is often left as a given and not talked about but it is so important for your confidence. Get the distance right and then start working on a consistent putting stroke and reading greens.

 Good luck, and don't dwell on a poor performace. 

Dave Patrick

Matt, 2 things that will impove your putting are:

1. spend at least 5-10 mins on the practice green before the 1st hole, just to get a feel for the pace. This much more important than line at your level. You will never be 5 foot wide of the hole but you can be 5 foot short or 5 foot long. This is where the 3 putts come in.

2. Use the same ball type through the whole round and get use to the feel off the putter face. Too many times i've seen people use a srixon on the first, then a dunlop on the 4th, then a commando on the ......you get my drift.

good luck.

John Pettitt

Pat Fitzsimons

Matt Culling

Thanks Guys - I'll be taking on board all the advise you offer.

David - I haven't been using the same ball so will definately have a sort through and make sure I do that in future.

What do you think a reasonable average amount of putts would be for someone of a high handicap / new to the game. In my head I'm thinking that my target should be 36  but I don't know if thats realistic, and it will have a massive effect on my overall handicap.

Ray Lawlor

My dad always said:

"Driving for show, putting for doh..."

David Preston

Steve Hogg-maclean

I had a putting lesson recently for which I was must admit I was scpetical about at first.

It started with me hitting a box of balls and seeing the dispersion arround the hole

After 10 minutes and a couple of pointers from the pro all the balls were now either in the hole or within a third of the dispersion of ten minutes earlier. the change was that dramatic

Essentially, it comes down to the good advice of the previous posters and not hesitating/thinking too much over the ball, the pyschology of putting is worthy of Phd study!

Gary Hand

I did the new putter thing worked for a few weeks then once the confidenece drained away I was back to my normal self. Don't beat yorself up to much though you are only learning get plenty of practice and maybe a lesson or 2 and things will get better.

Putting is alot more difficult than it seems many technical aspects in there judging line length and executing your technique. Don't let people fool you into thinking everyone should be able to put well because it's not the case. If things were that simple with 8 hours practice a day I would be better at darts than Phil Taylor and better at snooker than Ronnie O'Sullivan putting is an art just like many other things so practice will help but sometimes people have to accept they don't have the touch or the feel to be a really good putter.

Matt Culling

Had my weekly round today and was down to 37 putts, so hopefully its moving in the right direction. I think I'll speak to the local pro who took my lessons last year and opt for a putting lesson. I've never been shown how to do it properly, so I'm sure I'll benefit from a bit of guidance on technique.

Thanks for all you tips, I'm very concious with a bit of effort on this it could make a big difference to my overall score.

Matt Culling

Wayne Santorini

Have to say Matt that any "newbie" that I would coach, start from anywhere other than the green, and get the technique and feel of putting before moving out to chipping and pitching and then irons, woods and finally driver.