Finger of Sin!!!
Just recently i took part in our weekly roll up and played with a few mature players, i explained that my putting had been a bit of recently and i didnt know why. One of the men said to me its to do with my 'finger of sin'. When im putting i keep my right hand finger next to my thumb pointing down along my grip and he says that this is a bad thing.
I have been back on the putting greens and course and have still been using this finger as normal and i am putting really well as i am.
Does anybody else have any knowledge about this position and even though i am putting well with at the moment will it effect me in the long term??
Cheers Ky
Reply : Wed 7th Sep 2011 18:25
Think it's something to do with the right index finger being dominant and taken over from your hands. I used to do this until I played with Dave Ley, from this forum, who tutted at me
Reply : Wed 7th Sep 2011 18:31
Putting is a game on it's own and there is no method that is better than any other. Putting comes down to being able to read a green, having a feel for distance and keeping still on the putt.
This part of the game is completely instinct and all the claims that are made for the best way to putt should be taken with a pinch of salt as each putt is different and the first attempt at it is the first time you are attempting it. That putt cannot be practiced. All putting is live on the day.
Holing 10 three foot putts on the practice green is no guarantee that you will hole the first three foot putt you get on the course.
Last edit : Wed 7th Sep 2011 18:33
Reply : Wed 7th Sep 2011 18:42
Cheers for the replys. i think that i am fairly good at reading the greens but only time and rounds will tell
Reply : Wed 7th Sep 2011 21:21
I was tutted at by Dave Ley for putting the index finger of BOTH hands pointing down the shaft. I do it because it stops me breaking y wrists when putting. As John says, there's no right and wrong, just whether it goes in the hole
Reply : Thu 8th Sep 2011 14:23
Kyle, Ilove that phrase "Finger of Sin" and it really is, agree there are many different ways to putt quite possible tried them all. The right finger is a big no no as it's a sub consious thing that it takes over and will try and guide the putter. Not so finger down the front (Harrington,did or still does) or even as Chris does side by side as this as a tendency to cancel each finger out and promotes a solid wrist state ( as used on the two thumb putter grip). Kyle ,longer putts wont be such an issue ,but short ones especially under pressure will be be missed with this method ( seen it so often). I have studied all kinds of putting methology over the years and the right finger down the shaft has never been promoted to my knowledge. You won't see an exceptionally good putter or a professional use this method , the only way I could see this not being such an issue if you were left hand dominant,but i would advise anyone to to avoid this method if your serious about improvement.Good luck.
Reply : Thu 8th Sep 2011 20:01
This post is interesting.
I read it this afternoon before I went off to play and didnt realise that I use the "finger of sin"
During the round this afternoon I was very aware of what I was doing with my finger and made sure I didnt sin.
Only 2x 3 puts, number of 1 putts and all the rest 2 and a massive improvment in putting in general.
Reply : Thu 8th Sep 2011 20:43
Plus see matt's round online including a nice new visual graphic showing his 1.77 hole average when missing the green in regulation
Reply : Thu 8th Sep 2011 21:21
I agree with Leyo. I used to point my left index finger until I had a lesson to sort it (left handed) and now i putt better. Mind you it would have been difficult to putt worse.
Reply : Fri 9th Sep 2011 10:17
Well I was pretty pleased with one of my rounds yesterday. 32 putts and all using the 'finger of sin'. Its something that works for me and is one the the strongest parts of my game. It helps me get the feel for distance. Rest of the game was rubbish though!