Pre shot routine for putting

When I putt, I address the ball, wait a few seconds until I feel ready then hit the ball. I dont putt too bad but think I should have a better pre-shot routine.

Has anyone got one I can borrow? If it dont work you can have it back.

Dave CAC handed Geordie.

Another five hour round in process, eh!, Wayne. You pro's are all the same.

You were pretty fast at the N v S, Wayne but then you did not do this:

I mark the ball, and then clean it, replace it and look at the line I need to take, depending on the game ie Medal play from all 4 sides, social game ball to target and sides (to see the borrows better).

I then address myself parallel to the ball and take 2 practice strokes, gauging the pace I need and then line address the ball completely, one look at the line I need and away I go.

My pre-shot routine is as follows: -

Squat down behind the ball to read the break; pick a small spot on the target line to aim for (a very small spot, like mark on the back of the cup or blade of grass missed by the mower); TELL MYSELF IT'S AN EASY PUTT/GIMMEE/VERY MAKEABLE; stand to the side of the ball; place the club behind the ball and my head directly over the putter head; get alignment right with target mark; take grip ensureing putter head does not turn (I push down onto the grass a touch); line up feet and lift toes alternately a few times (helps get the balance);look at the target mark to check the alignment then back to the ball; look at the target mark again to lock the distance in the mind and look back at the ball; short pause and swing.

That takes me no more than 20-30 seconds.  If the putt is long, the break awkward or the ball is dirty, I will mark it and clean the ball whilst checking out the break.

My pre-shot is probably a bit weird and not sure why I got into it.  I always place the ball down so all I can see is plain white.  Putter in right hand and grip with my thumb on the flat part of the grip until the head is square to the intended line, left hand goes on box of fags in left pocket to line hips up square, get left hand on grip, two practices to get a feel for the weight, set up by the ball, wiggle toes and go.  Not sure why I do the toe wiggling bit, but I've noticed other people doing it too (consciously or not), but that's not why I do it... 

The toe wiggling ensures your balance is centralised on your feet Tim

I'm with Tim, I like to see a plain white surface.

Me to John I tried the line on the ball but when I addressed it it never looked right and the doubt would set in. I opt for something on my line to aim through,square my putter to that, build my stance and all i have to think about now is pace.

Colin, I don't have a putting routine, in fact I don't have any routines at all for this game. You have quoted Waynes routine, which is admirable in itself but rather time consuming, but then all the pros are rather time consuming on every shot.

As I can no longer get down to read a putt, coupled with the fact that I am usually not playing for anything important, I just use the plumbline method to gauge the borrow, line the putter face up with the information and then make a putt. I don't claim to be the best putter in the world but I do have a feel for weight, so very rarely do I three putt. I also tend to hammer the short putts in.

I read the line as I am walking onto the green and when playing partners are reading their putts, not waiting until it is my turn to read the line. So my routine is standing behind the ball (this seams to give me better depth perseption and has improved my pace putting) a couple of practice putts, move to the ball line up the putter and my shoulders, take one last look at the hole then follow the line back to the ball and as soon as I look back at the ball start the stroke, my putting has been a weak part of my game, since doing this simple routine it has improved and confidence has grown. I need to see a plain white ball, tried putting with a line on the ball but I just can't line it up properly.   

There is an old saying (Hogan I think) that the shorter the putt the greater the respect.

My experience tells me that a tentative approach to these pesky little ones is negative. One has to be positive and strike the ball firmly on the line you have decided upon, be it just inside the cup or a fraction outside.

I mark my ball then clean it as I walk to a point roughly behind the ball, but on the ball to hole line.  The distance is about half the length of the putt.  This gives me a good chance to see the line and any borrow that might be there.

If it's not my turn to putt then I may walk to one side and have a look at the lie of the land between the ball and the hole.

Once it's my turn to putt I replace my ball using the line I have put on the ball.  This line is aimed at my aiming mark which I picked out as I walked to replace my golf ball.

Taking my stance, I then have one or two practice putts.  Each time I'm trying to take the putter head back the correct distance for the length of putt.

Once I'm happy with everything I address the ball and roll it into the hole.  I do this from any distance as I'm a big believer in having a positive mental attitude.  Even if the ball missed the hole as long as I read the line correctly and put a good roll on the ball then I'm happy.  If the ball doesn't start over my aiming point or doesn't roll well then it was a bad putt and was never likely to go into the hole.

If I putt out first then I go straight to the flag and pick it up ready to replace it when the last person has holed out.

What I do when putting is so natural to me now that it only takes seconds to do the whole thing!

Russ

You putt best with one of your irons, David.

Marshall have you heard, I've just been told the Idiot is coming to Saunton !! I feel a migraine coming on !