Side Saddle Putting
- Thread starter Tball88
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I tried it years ago, with a long putter which I placed under my right armpit..
Used it both looking at the ball and looking at the hole....
It was OK, gives you more of a feeling of throwing the ball at the hole, but I found sweet spot contact was not consistent.
Oh, and the attention you get can be offputting
)) too....
Used it both looking at the ball and looking at the hole....
It was OK, gives you more of a feeling of throwing the ball at the hole, but I found sweet spot contact was not consistent.
Oh, and the attention you get can be offputting
)) too....Thanks for the feedback puttmad. I've been striking the ball well lately and can't score for sh$$ because I can't putt. Yesterday, 8 ft for birdie on 1 and miss, number 2 5 ft for birdie and miss, two three putts, it goes on and on.
I'm not even hitting the holes on some of these putts, just awful.
I'm pretty desperate, and the sidesaddle sounds interesting, just don't know if I can take the hazing I'll get from my buddies. Although if it works, the hazing will stop quickly.
I'm not even hitting the holes on some of these putts, just awful.
I'm pretty desperate, and the sidesaddle sounds interesting, just don't know if I can take the hazing I'll get from my buddies. Although if it works, the hazing will stop quickly.
IMHO there are a couple of problems with SS putting. Long putts - more difficult to take a longish swing with SS. Also difficult to get the hands ahead with SS putting. You tend to hit up on the putts which can be a problem on longs putts and slow greens. There are very few putters designed strictly for SS use where you can set the hands ahead of the ball. You do get a great look at the line with SS.
Brian Manzella
Administrator
Funny you should ask.
My Dad use to struggle with his putting. Then, late in his life (passed at 59 in '87), he putted very good. Something like a open stanced Zack Johnson, with more roll.
He loved Snead, and use to putt his tap-ins side-saddle. I started fooling around with it when I was about 12, and by 15, I putted that way when I played putt-putt.
I "famously" won a putting bet at the 2007 Masters trip at an Augusta range practice green, making a 20 footer, followed by a 30 footer, followed by a 40 footer up a two-tier hole—putting side saddle. The look on Ryan Smither and David Dorman's faces was priceless.
Thankyouverymuch.
I just putt better the way I putt, but have used side-saddle in the past, just never in a tournament.
Anyhoo, If I have a chance, I'll do a short video on it. You need the right putter. About 36 inches and flat and NOT heel shafted.
Snead.
My Dad use to struggle with his putting. Then, late in his life (passed at 59 in '87), he putted very good. Something like a open stanced Zack Johnson, with more roll.
He loved Snead, and use to putt his tap-ins side-saddle. I started fooling around with it when I was about 12, and by 15, I putted that way when I played putt-putt.
I "famously" won a putting bet at the 2007 Masters trip at an Augusta range practice green, making a 20 footer, followed by a 30 footer, followed by a 40 footer up a two-tier hole—putting side saddle. The look on Ryan Smither and David Dorman's faces was priceless.
Thankyouverymuch.
I just putt better the way I putt, but have used side-saddle in the past, just never in a tournament.
Anyhoo, If I have a chance, I'll do a short video on it. You need the right putter. About 36 inches and flat and NOT heel shafted.
Snead.
That's a pretty neat story Brian. I have never played with a side saddle putter, but I did play with an old guy who putted with an open stance one-handed. Very good putter. He was short, so he was always on in three, but had a lot of one putts.
It would be interesting to know how you set up side saddle and what do you look at the ball, line, or target when you actually put.
I'm also looking at the opposite and going to a shorter putter, looking at the Yes Sophia.
I've got to change something and I feel much better when I'm open to the target line. Seems like I see the line well behind the ball, but when I set up I lose it.
It would be interesting to know how you set up side saddle and what do you look at the ball, line, or target when you actually put.
I'm also looking at the opposite and going to a shorter putter, looking at the Yes Sophia.
I've got to change something and I feel much better when I'm open to the target line. Seems like I see the line well behind the ball, but when I set up I lose it.
lookingtolearn
New
Have you tried putting "HammY-style?" They have putters specifically for it, but you can still do the method with a regular putter. You set up with a split grip and an open stance, sort of like a hockey player.
I've tried that and it seems to be working some. The reason I'm also looking at moving to a shorter putter as well as sidesaddle is that when I put open stance, kind of similar to what Jack looked like, I seem to see the line better and I also have an easier time following through.
What putting guru's do you guys like, Mangum, Utley, Pelz, Manzella?
What putting guru's do you guys like, Mangum, Utley, Pelz, Manzella?
dashfan87
New
I have mixed feelings on putting, to me, its the most overlooked yet most important part of the game... sure Dan Boever can hit the ball 400 yards, but can he sink a put?
Its the one thing that makes The pros, look to have the same form as the 15 handicaper at the club... (ie, Briny Baird, Natalie Gulbis, Chris DiMarco, anyone with a broom stick as a putter...)
Everyone is trying to hit the longball, and no one is worried about sinking the put.
For me, its not the absolutely great drive, followed by the crappy second shot that irks me... its the 5 foot strait in birdie put missed to the left that has the same stroke count as that great drive, that really irks me...
This game is awesome.
Its the one thing that makes The pros, look to have the same form as the 15 handicaper at the club... (ie, Briny Baird, Natalie Gulbis, Chris DiMarco, anyone with a broom stick as a putter...)
Everyone is trying to hit the longball, and no one is worried about sinking the put.
For me, its not the absolutely great drive, followed by the crappy second shot that irks me... its the 5 foot strait in birdie put missed to the left that has the same stroke count as that great drive, that really irks me...
This game is awesome.
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dashfan, I'm right there with you. Last week, get home on a par 5 in two, and three put. MIssed three birdie putts within 10 feet. It absolutely crushes your morale to not sink putts. On the other hand, making putts can put you on an incredible high. Takes all the stress away from your approach shots, ah, just get it close and I'll make a putt.
Bad putting puts so much pressure on the other aspects of my game. I feel like I have to stick it close, or there is a good chance I'll walk away with bogey.
Bad putting puts so much pressure on the other aspects of my game. I feel like I have to stick it close, or there is a good chance I'll walk away with bogey.
dashfan87
New
Yet we keep coming back for more....
I played a few holes with an older guy that putted side saddle... he had me trying it... to me, it gives a false sense of being able to feel and see the line. its just to squirlly to consider using it full time.
and you look like a hack.
and im way too cool for that.
birdie_man
New
Brian you are BBBBBBBBBBBB SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSsing, for sure. The scent comes through the internet wires.
Center shafted long putter (flatter lie angle) works - the difficulty is getting the hands even or ahead of the ball at contact. On slow greens the ball may hop.
DMDORMAN2000
New
Side Saddle
Pound for pound the best putting display I have witnessed. All putts holed dead center. Do not bet Brian with a steak on the line.
Pound for pound the best putting display I have witnessed. All putts holed dead center. Do not bet Brian with a steak on the line.
thefuture37
Banned
bump
I wanna resurrect this topic...
Brian, any chance you could show that short video on side saddle putting?
I know there are a couple of ways to do it with both short and long putters. The idea is really intriguing to me.
Why have we not seen anyone else on tour putting side saddle yet? You would think someone would have taken it up by now...
Brian, any chance you could show that short video on side saddle putting?
I know there are a couple of ways to do it with both short and long putters. The idea is really intriguing to me.
Why have we not seen anyone else on tour putting side saddle yet? You would think someone would have taken it up by now...
Seems like Gulbis was close to that approach with that Hammy putter she used for years. I haven't seen her lately so I don't know if she stuck with it.
I don't remember Snead's reason for going to it (did he develop the yips?). I think it's just a different game now. The surfaces are perfect and there is so much technology and science available to a tour player to help them putt.
I guess if you can't aim for squat it might have potential but I can't see how it would be an advantage from a stroke mechanics perspective.
I think these days a pro would putt standing on his head if it would truly help him win.
Robbo
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