Rory McIlroy's putting - a disaster that could have been prevented?
- Thread starter BrendanC
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rogerdodger
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Yesterday morning I told a friend that I would be more surprised to see McIlroy have a bad round than if he won. Why he lost it so badly is a combination of bad luck and inexperience. It was clear on his second shot on one, that his swing with the irons was not as confident. He then had a shaky number two but really seemed to calm down with his play on three. He really got a bad break on 8 with the second shot, which was almost as impressive as Tiger. When he got to ten, his caddie should have given him the three wood. When he tripled he simply tried too hard on the putts and was too aggressive, not a good plan on those greens. I think the three putt on 11 and the four jack on 12 were a lot worse than the score on ten. If he pars 11 and sinks the 15 footer on 12 for birdie, he is still in it.
Every great player has had a go to game to use when they are not striking it well. Rory needed that game yesterday. It may not have made a difference with the way everyone else played yesterday, but he would have been closer. His putting mechanics are fine, Augusta is speed and green reading, that comes with experience. In any event, I hope he wins the U.S. Open and gets the ship righted. He should talk to the guys that collapsed and won later like Tom Watson. Stay away from Greg Norman.
Every great player has had a go to game to use when they are not striking it well. Rory needed that game yesterday. It may not have made a difference with the way everyone else played yesterday, but he would have been closer. His putting mechanics are fine, Augusta is speed and green reading, that comes with experience. In any event, I hope he wins the U.S. Open and gets the ship righted. He should talk to the guys that collapsed and won later like Tom Watson. Stay away from Greg Norman.
John, I'm not saying that there are sharper edges or not - However, if every hole is cut the same - and one has edges that are worn, or frayed - it essentially makes the hole larger. In other words, the more you wear down the edge i.e. remove material, the larger the hole becomes. How does that change your approach to the game - well I guess you'd want to make sure not to scuff, or rough the side of the hole as you remove your ball - making it easier for players behind you to make the putts!
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BrendanC
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He is a great kid - no suggestion otherwise from me. That's not what this is about.
And for what it's worth, I think McIlroy has the character to be a Champion - but do I think he needs to change his putting stroke? Yep.
Interesting that it is being suggested that his long game went south on Day 4 because he got under plane, too much inside out and either left the face open or turned it over late to a pull hook. I think he also takes it away low and inside and leaves the face open with his putter.
Contrast - Tiger's putter really comes UP as it goes back. I reckon McIlroy at 1.19 in the Quail Hollow video takes it away 'in' and has opened the face quite a bit.
And for what it's worth, I think McIlroy has the character to be a Champion - but do I think he needs to change his putting stroke? Yep.
Interesting that it is being suggested that his long game went south on Day 4 because he got under plane, too much inside out and either left the face open or turned it over late to a pull hook. I think he also takes it away low and inside and leaves the face open with his putter.
Contrast - Tiger's putter really comes UP as it goes back. I reckon McIlroy at 1.19 in the Quail Hollow video takes it away 'in' and has opened the face quite a bit.
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ggsjpc
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I think I understand what you are saying.
Are you saying that a radiused edge is beyond the 4 1/4 inches the hole should be cut?
Matt Bryda
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Quote Originally Posted by mgranato View Post
When you get A+++ quality greens, the rim edges of the cup can be set very "sharp" (as opposed to a slightly radiused edge you might see at a nice country club). The sharper the edge, the less of a chance the ball will have to "catch" the edge or lip in (assuming very good delivery speed, of course). The ball will usually just glide right over or veer a little. Putts you think would normally have a chance, don't. It just "shrinks" the hole that extra little bit.
More putts will fall in on 2" shag carpet than a wood table top putting surface.
Then add in slope and wind and you have a big difference.
Matt
When you get A+++ quality greens, the rim edges of the cup can be set very "sharp" (as opposed to a slightly radiused edge you might see at a nice country club). The sharper the edge, the less of a chance the ball will have to "catch" the edge or lip in (assuming very good delivery speed, of course). The ball will usually just glide right over or veer a little. Putts you think would normally have a chance, don't. It just "shrinks" the hole that extra little bit.
More putts will fall in on 2" shag carpet than a wood table top putting surface.
Then add in slope and wind and you have a big difference.
Matt
Kevin Shields
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How bout the possibility that he's talented enough to put standing on his head but got overwhelmed by the enormity which lead to doubt and fear. The best mechanics on the planet wont hold up to that. Like pitching usually beats hitting, choking will usually trump sound methods.
Kevin, I don't think McIlroy's putting was all that good on Friday and Saturday, either. His ballstriking on those days was amazing. He was hitting it near the pin on every approach, yet two-putting nearly every time. Could have been leading by six or even eight strokes.
Actually i think the better one's technique the less choking affects you. Everyone chokes but better techniques allow you to get away with a mistimed stroke or swing. Just my thoughts.
For what its worth Rory has always looked a bit dodgy with his putter from 10 feet and in even when the pressure isn't on.
For what its worth Rory has always looked a bit dodgy with his putter from 10 feet and in even when the pressure isn't on.
Phil Rosenbaum
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John Graham , I do not think there are any implications that some holes are bigger than others. However, some courses roll the greens after they mow them, which makes the edges feel tighter. but I am sure that there is a chart out there that rates the firmness of the edges and tighness of the 4.5 inch cup cuttings tools.
BrendanC
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I have no doubt McIlroy has the talent to putt very well - and he obviously has courage and the ability to execute under pressure; his long game proves that. I wanted to see him win on Sunday - he has a wonderful swing, a great attacking approach and is a nice guy to go with it.
But Kevin, do you actually think McIroy's stroke is good? I really don't. At Augusta, I didn't like where his face and eyes were pointing, I didn't like where his hands were (too close to his body) and I didn't like how he blocked it. Routinely. The miss was so consistent - and it was because he couldn't 'flip' his putterface from close range.
It was downright tragic that the player himself cleary had no idea how to go about fixing up his problem.
Some people seem to think this is me taking a pop at him - that's not what this is about. Swing teachers routinely get called out for their full swing ideas and players' full swing mechanics.
To take the analogy further, Tiger always had the talent to play well standing on his head - did he always do so? Nope. Were his mechanics at fault? Maybe. Was it worth talking about? Yes.
When McIlroy plays to a +7 or +8 handicap from 100 yards plus (guess), and putts like a 10 handicapper from days one to three and an 18 handicapper or worse on day 4, it is worth looking at why.
Is there a Manzella putting matrix? Where would McIlroy be on it? What kind of ideas/information could help him?
Putting is just as much a science as the full swing, but some people are talking like it is a black art.
I could easily seem him switching to something like what Adam Scott is doing, and a visit to Stockton should certainly be on the agenda.
If he doesn't make serious changes, this problem will keep hurting throughout his career.
But Kevin, do you actually think McIroy's stroke is good? I really don't. At Augusta, I didn't like where his face and eyes were pointing, I didn't like where his hands were (too close to his body) and I didn't like how he blocked it. Routinely. The miss was so consistent - and it was because he couldn't 'flip' his putterface from close range.
It was downright tragic that the player himself cleary had no idea how to go about fixing up his problem.
Some people seem to think this is me taking a pop at him - that's not what this is about. Swing teachers routinely get called out for their full swing ideas and players' full swing mechanics.
To take the analogy further, Tiger always had the talent to play well standing on his head - did he always do so? Nope. Were his mechanics at fault? Maybe. Was it worth talking about? Yes.
When McIlroy plays to a +7 or +8 handicap from 100 yards plus (guess), and putts like a 10 handicapper from days one to three and an 18 handicapper or worse on day 4, it is worth looking at why.
Is there a Manzella putting matrix? Where would McIlroy be on it? What kind of ideas/information could help him?
Putting is just as much a science as the full swing, but some people are talking like it is a black art.
I could easily seem him switching to something like what Adam Scott is doing, and a visit to Stockton should certainly be on the agenda.
If he doesn't make serious changes, this problem will keep hurting throughout his career.
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curtisj76
New
Maybe I'm just stupid but I feel the ONLY reason he lost is because of his HEAD, not some stroke. That same stroke had him in the lead for .75 of the tournament. His mind affected his entire game. You wanna change his putting style? Great! But the same result would have happened on Saturday. JMO
I wonder if the Masters stats support this argument (although it's probably slightly exaggerated). I'll bet they do.
Didn't he loose the tournament on the 10th? Hooked drive, hooked 3rd shot, crazy dumb pitch 4th shot hit a tree, poor 5th chip and then damn near holed it for double-boag.
His putting collaped after he collapsed. You can't have done what's he's done in his short career without being able to putt FANTASTICALLY well.
His putting collaped after he collapsed. You can't have done what's he's done in his short career without being able to putt FANTASTICALLY well.
How good a putter was Hogan? Didn't he say that putts should only count for half a stroke? How did he do in his career?
peterjthomps
New
I agreee with Wulsy. He lost at the 10th. He kept digging his grave with terrible choices on this hole, lost his confidence and it all went downhill from there. Ill felt bad for him, especially on the 13th. Did anyone see the photo of Rory and Charl on the plane together? I saw something flash by quickly on ESPN, how good a sport is he. All smiles hugging Charl after that loss, lots of character for the youngster.
How do you shoot 62 putting badly?
Rory's poor display of putting coming down the line was 100% caused by the 6" between his ears. He didn't trust himself at all and that relates to not finishing your swing and a push. You could see him giving up on the putt half-way through. I feel bad for the kid, but hopefully he will come back from this and be stronger for going through it.
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