Putter Aim

[otto6457]

Hey folks

Well, I'm stuck in the house for another weekend it appears. Winds of 40mph, cold and wet. I'll play in most any weather, but today is just miserable.

With that in mind, I wanted to ask the forum about putter aiming.

I am not nearly as good a putter now as I was in my 20's and 30's. Statistically I am averaging around 32 putts a round. When I was younger I averaged around 29 putts a round. I make many fewer birdie putts now unless they are within 5 feet. So unless my ball striking is really sharp I am not able to shoot the rounds I routinely shot before. And no comments about old men now....LOL!!

The part that really irritates me is that with my putting as it is, I can't recover from bogeys and I can't capitalize on some pretty good approach shots. My putting woes are really hurting my whole game.

All of this preamble brings me to my point. While I was practicing last week, it suddenly dawned on me that I miss to the left pretty consistently. All indications are that I aim left most of the time and if I do hit the hole, it is likely that I have blocked the ball to the hole. I had a friend stand behind me yesterday when I putted and he confirmed that sometimes I aim almost 6 inches left of the hole on a 6 foot putt.

I am quite left eye dominant, but I always have been, and my vision is good enough that I don't have to wear glasses. I am using the same putter I have had since 1997. (Cameron Newport). I am careful with my ball position and it hasn't changed. As far as I know, my stroke has not changed since 2001 when I dumped the Pelz stuff and went back to my arc stroke I used in college.

So, a couple of questions:

1) Is this a common occurrence? Have others experienced a loss of the ability to properly aim your putter.
2) Are there methods for correcting my apparent skewed vision?
3) I have read some articles that suggest that certain people aim certain putter head designs better (Edel putters). Is there any credence to such claims?
4) and finally...what the heck happened? Is this another causality of old age? Am I cursed to get worse at putting as I get older? Because if I am, my return to competitive golf may have to be re-evaluated.

 

[goley]

i think it all starts with aim.... find a putter that you can aim properly and then you can make a good stroke. Otherwise aim left and put a bad stroke on it an it might go in. I have not used the edel system but have used the henry griffits and have found that changing compnents often changes where the person aims. The changable parts were 1. head design 2. lenght of neck 3.style of neck 4. and different aiming lines on the putter. There are also different lenghts of shaft to choose from.
As far as set up .... make sure you look at the ball from the middle of your eyes and you learn twist your head correctley to get the line. Imagin you had a spear through you the middle of you head when you look at the line of the putt your head should rotate like an apple on a stick. If done properly your eyes will be able to stay on your target line as you twist your head. Most bad putters lift their head so their eyes a level to the ground and then twist the head causing all types of motion within the body.
Watch the tour players and study their head movement.

 

[RickPinewild]

Aim

I have been using a mirror on my putter face and a laser pointer from the target.
I have shown it to several friends so far and only one has aimed straight at the target. It's pretty cool. Since David Orr showed me, I have been putting much better.

 

[Little Brit]

I don't think eye dominance can be the issue because I have the opposite problem. I am very strongly left eye dominant/right handed player. My aiming miss is always to the right. I use a newport, plumbers neck.

 

[tbyeaton0627]

most likely a left aimer with a blocking tendency

 

[puttmad]

Otto,
I can make a couple of aiming suggestions for you..
1) Get a mallet putter with a long "aiming" centerline... There are loads out there, some are even oversized to help you even more...
My particular favorite is this one, which is also designed to tell you when you are standing directly above the ball.. (used by a couple of tour pros):
http://www.sizemoregolf.com/xm2.php

2)..
Calculate your line from behind the putt and then pick an interim aiming point (a mark, discoloured grass etc) about 12-24" in front of the ball..
Then all you have to do is line up a 12-24" putt...
It really is that simple..

 

[Burner]

I don't think eye dominance can be the issue because I have the opposite problem. I am very strongly left eye dominant/right handed player. My aiming miss is always to the right. I use a newport, plumbers neck.

Doesn't matter what putter you use; if you hit the ball right of centre on the club face then you will tend to miss to the right. Left of centre and you will tend to miss to the left.

Similarly, ball too far left at address and a centre hit can be the cause of a pull to the left. Ball too far back at address and a centre hit can be the cause of a block to the right.

A putt is just a short golf stroke and the same rules apply.

Not having a "pop" at you LB, just using your post as a vehicle to have my say on the subject.

I had a friend stand behind me yesterday when I putted and he confirmed that sometimes I aim almost 6 inches left of the hole on a 6 foot putt.

I have experienced this also and have severe doubts as to the information on my lining up that I am being given. How can you be certain that your helper is standing in the right place to line your putt up?

 

[Little Brit]

I say aim right because I have had friends stand behind me repeatedly and say I was aimed right when I thought it looked straight. So I stand behind the ball and check my aim with some form of mark in front of the ball. I mentioned the type of putter because the original poster did. I have also heard that the type of putter, in particular plumbers neck is supposed to help with left eye dominance. No idea if it does or not.

 

[otto6457]

I have experienced this also and have severe doubts as to the information on my lining up that I am being given. How can you be certain that your helper is standing in the right place to line your putt up?

Thanks to all that have answered.

I played today and had the same friend stand behind me on several different putts. To try and make his position as accurate as possible, I would tell him my aim point (ex: 2 balls left of hole) before I placed the putter behind the ball. He would then get directly on the line I identified. He would tell me if I started the ball on that line after I stroked the ball.

Today I was about 70/30, left of target line/target line.. I figure he might have been off a few times, but it seems I do aim left a lot of the times. I tried aiming at a spot a few feet in front of my ball, but I struggled finding a spot and keeping that spot identified after I address the ball. I tend to lose my spot when I look down at the putter and ball then back up to find it again. I have never been one of those lucky guys that sees a line to the hole. I have always tried to find the high point of the break and place that spot next to the hole. Example: If I think a putt will break 2 feet right to left, I pick a target 2 feet right of the hole and line up to that target.

I have spent the last hour looking on the web for some training aids for aim with little success. I found a laser that sticks on the putter face and shines at the target, and I found the Puttron which uses infra-red sensor at the hole and a mirror on the putter face. Does anyone have any experience with any of these or with any kind of training aid, or a method for retraining my aim? I have tried using a line on my ball a few times, but I often find that once I get over the ball, the line looks completely wrong and I have a hard time trusting it. Plus I read on another forum that using a line on the ball and aiming that line at the target helps fewer than 25% of the golfers that use it.

Has anyone been on a Sam Puttlab or similar electronic monitor and does anyone know if there is one somewhere in Texas? I knew Haney used to have one, but I prefer to not go back there. Plus, such a monitor is only as good as the person running it so I am not sure it would be worth the trouble.

I figure I have all winter to work on this problem with my goal of being ready in March for the start of the Texas amateur season.

 

[Damon Lucas]

First of all, the Puttlab people will tell you that as long as you're striking the putt in the intended direction, then aim at address is not AS important.

So, if you want to go that route, then I would suggest going to your practice green, selecting a putt, identifying your break, then ...

Put another ball on the intended line about a foot away, putting a tee either side of the ball, removing it, and then attempting to putt between 'the posts' from your original spot.

For your 'put a laser on the putterface' people, you would need to do an enormous amount of practice to 'groove' that kind of aim, and there is little guarantee that you will aim better for all putts, and IMO the problems that are causing poor aim will remain.

The geometry of the putter can adversely affect your aim, so definitely test some different putters.

Check your head position. Make sure a line through your eyes/bridge of nose/tops of ears where glasses would sit mirrors your intended puttline, and you're looking straight at the ball(not down your cheekbones).

A good inexpensive drill would be to get two string lines. Suspend one directly over the other(if you want to have your eyes over the ball), OR on a slight slant that is perpendicular to the angle you set your face. Then use your glasses(get some if you don't have them), and then look back and forth along the string lines keeping the string lines in the middle of the glasses(horizontal plane).

 

[matt kluck]

SAM Putt Lab

otto6457,
I believe Chuck Cook has a SAM Putt Lab at his facility. The information is fantastic and can help you determine the exact cause of your inconsistency,regardless of aim, based upon the many different parameters that are measured. You are correct about the information and who is deciphering that information because it could cause more problems than it solves. I have one in Pitttsburgh and I believe that the Putt Lab is a tremendous teaching tool because it gives the teacher information that can be measured. I highly recommend using the device and your learning will be expedited. Good luck with your game!

Thanks to all that have answered.

I played today and had the same friend stand behind me on several different putts. To try and make his position as accurate as possible, I would tell him my aim point (ex: 2 balls left of hole) before I placed the putter behind the ball. He would then get directly on the line I identified. He would tell me if I started the ball on that line after I stroked the ball.

Today I was about 70/30, left of target line/target line.. I figure he might have been off a few times, but it seems I do aim left a lot of the times. I tried aiming at a spot a few feet in front of my ball, but I struggled finding a spot and keeping that spot identified after I address the ball. I tend to lose my spot when I look down at the putter and ball then back up to find it again. I have never been one of those lucky guys that sees a line to the hole. I have always tried to find the high point of the break and place that spot next to the hole. Example: If I think a putt will break 2 feet right to left, I pick a target 2 feet right of the hole and line up to that target.

I have spent the last hour looking on the web for some training aids for aim with little success. I found a laser that sticks on the putter face and shines at the target, and I found the Puttron which uses infra-red sensor at the hole and a mirror on the putter face. Does anyone have any experience with any of these or with any kind of training aid, or a method for retraining my aim? I have tried using a line on my ball a few times, but I often find that once I get over the ball, the line looks completely wrong and I have a hard time trusting it. Plus I read on another forum that using a line on the ball and aiming that line at the target helps fewer than 25% of the golfers that use it.

Has anyone been on a Sam Puttlab or similar electronic monitor and does anyone know if there is one somewhere in Texas? I knew Haney used to have one, but I prefer to not go back there. Plus, such a monitor is only as good as the person running it so I am not sure it would be worth the trouble.

I figure I have all winter to work on this problem with my goal of being ready in March for the start of the Texas amateur season.

 

[ClubCaster]

Otto6457,

I've never seen anyone else do this, but here's something that works real well for me when I'm uncomfortable with how I'm aimed on a putt. First I go through my normal routine, then I address the ball with my eyes directly over the ball. Then I maintain my stance and posture as I lift up the putter-head and hold the shaft of the putter with both hands at shoulder width and my arms fully extended. The shaft is directly below my eyes, directly above the ball, and parallel with my intended target line, and the grip end of the shaft points toward my target. This helps me make sure I'm aimed correctly, helps me make sure my eyes are directly over the ball, and helps me "set" my eyes on the target line as I look down on the ball.

The only drawback is that the routine gets me so focused on my line, that sometimes my mind forgets how hard to hit the putt. So, usually I like to focus on taking my practice strokes at the right speed and then step right up and make the putt. But the routine really works well for me when I'm struggling, or just uncomfortable on a particular putt, with my aim. Maybe this routine will help you?

Good luck,
CC

 

[puttmad]

Otto:
Here re the Puttlabs in the USA:
http://www.scienceandmotion.de/locations/?navid=112&lang=en#USA

 

[puttmad]

First of all, the Puttlab people will tell you that as long as you're striking the putt in the intended direction, then aim at address is not AS important.

Damon,
I have to disagree with you there....the guy i went to see made a big point of setting up the clubface correctly at address (he used a laser, in addition to the puttlab stuff), so it may depend on who you go to see....

 

[puttmad]

Otto,
Here is an example of the info you get back from Puttlab.....you can figure yourself if it is of any use to you (Brian, if this breaks forum rules, please remove)..
http://www.droprightin.co.uk/Puttlab/Puttlab.html

 

[Damon Lucas]

Damon,
I have to disagree with you there....the guy i went to see made a big point of setting up the clubface correctly at address (he used a laser, in addition to the puttlab stuff), so it may depend on who you go to see....

Yeah, my information is directly from the creator of the Puttlab, Christian Marquart. In his manual, he lists aim at address at about 5th on things to care about. Putterface at impact, consistency, rhythm, tempo, then aim.

Of course your guy will make a big point of setting the aim at address correctly for the testing-otherwise every parameter is skewed.

 

[puttmad]

Yeah, my information is directly from the creator of the Puttlab, Christian Marquart. In his manual, he lists aim at address at about 5th on things to care about. Putterface at impact, consistency, rhythm, tempo, then aim.

Of course your guy will make a big point of setting the aim at address correctly for the testing-otherwise every parameter is skewed.

I don't disagree with you Damon..
Jason , the pro I went to see didn't allow for the fact that I address the ball 1/2" behind it, not directly behind it....

Also CM's comments indicate a basic "flaw" in thinking, i.e. it doesn't matter if you don't really address the ball accurately, there must be a compensatory factor involved in order to strike the ball correctly....and as long as you have consistent compensation on each stroke you will hit it accurately...
Why doesn't that sit right?......

 

[matt kluck]

This information is taken right out of the SAM Puttlab Reference Manual from page one that is titled "The Fundamentals of a Putting Stroke"
"The basic mechanisms of a putting stroke are:"
1. Aiming
2. Face and path direction
3. Swing path and impact spot
4. Putter face rotation
5. Loft and rise
6. Movement dynamics
7. Rhythm and timing
I hope this helps your discussion.
MK

 

[Damon Lucas]

I don't disagree with you Damon..
Jason , the pro I went to see didn't allow for the fact that I address the ball 1/2" behind it, not directly behind it....

Also CM's comments indicate a basic "flaw" in thinking, i.e. it doesn't matter if you don't really address the ball accurately, there must be a compensatory factor involved in order to strike the ball correctly....and as long as you have consistent compensation on each stroke you will hit it accurately...
Why doesn't that sit right?......

This is where it gets interesting!

I know that you, Andrew, view as the most important aspect of putting the ability to set up with the putter aimed at the target, and then return to that allignment. Your research bears that out!

Then you have the Puttlab people saying that aim at address is around 5th! They are not saying that it is unimportant, just that other aspects are 'more' important. Their research, which has many parallels to the 'model golf' guys with respect to the conclusions that they have drawn, incite those conclusions.

Tiger sets up 2 degrees open...
So do a lot of people ...
Research in NC would indicate that it would be lucky if 5% of people aimed where they thought they were.

What is the answer?

 

[matt kluck]

The key is consistency of aim.

This is where it gets interesting!

I know that you, Andrew, view as the most important aspect of putting the ability to set up with the putter aimed at the target, and then return to that allignment. Your research bears that out!

Then you have the Puttlab people saying that aim at address is around 5th! They are not saying that it is unimportant, just that other aspects are 'more' important. Their research, which has many parallels to the 'model golf' guys with respect to the conclusions that they have drawn, incite those conclusions.

Tiger sets up 2 degrees open...
So do a lot of people ...
Research in NC would indicate that it would be lucky if 5% of people aimed where they thought they were.

What is the answer?