The Spider position

[Bogeygolfer19]

Hi,
I am trying to learn the Camillo Villagas spider position for reading greens. You know the one where he tucks his right leg in at a 90 degree angle and then balances on his fingers enabling him to read the putt with body fully horizontal and chin two inches from the green.
I have been practicing this position on and off for the past month. However all went Pea Tong during last weekends monthly medal. I heard the sound of a nasty crack whilst adopting the position, from my left index finger and think that I may have dislocated or jarred the aforementioned diget.
Has anyone got any tips or excercises to master this technique.

Many Thanks Bogeygolfer.

[LowPost42]

Re: The Spider position

Rule number one: If you're not as flexible and strong as Villegas, don't try it.

Rule number two: See rule number one.

[Mox]

Re: The Spider position

Rule #3 - he does it mostly for show, anyhow. It's quality TV and brings the sponsors to the table!

[Seattlepop]

Re: The Spider position

The last time I saw a close-up picture of his "spider", his entire upper body weight was being supported by his putter and his five fingers. The putter heel was half buried into the putting surface as were his finger tips. If you want to practice reading greens, please try to do it without ruining someone else's putting surface.

OK, I admit its a pet peeve. Every time I watch my ball bounce away from the cup, I picture the last guy I saw leaning on his putter.

[BrianW]

Re: The Spider position

Did he learn that spider action on the web?

A green reading method I use that I picked up from Pelz Putting Bible is to imagine throwing a bucket of water over the green to the hole and consider the way the water will run, then consider where you would throw the water for it to run into the hole. This gives a good insight for your aim point.

[bdbl]

Re: The Spider position

Did he learn that spider action on the web?

A green reading method I use that I picked up from Pelz Putting Bible is to imagine throwing a bucket of water over the green to the hole and consider the way the water will run, then consider where you would throw the water for it to run into the hole. This gives a good insight for your aim point.

Is that the one where Pelz actually threw 100 buckets of water onto 100 different greens and used computer imaging software to track every single droplet before analysing the results for his bible.

[bill reed]

Re: The Spider position

hi
i think you have to admit that D Pelz has put in more hours in studying greens and how a ball reacts than any one else, his research has the top pros flocking to his door each year to help with there putting.
i also wonder how many of you would be carrying 3 wedges if it was not for D Pelz research into the short game.
cheers
bill

[BrianW]

Re: The Spider position

Is that the one where Pelz actually threw 100 buckets of water onto 100 different greens and used computer imaging software to track every single droplet before analysing the results for his bible.

No. He threw one bucket of water onto one green then used a computer model to simulate the effects of the same bucket of water being thrown onto 100 other greens. The point being (and this is where it got really interesting) where the simulated greens sloped left or right the water always ran left or right, as the case may be. He then extrapolated the data into slopes of different gradients, surprisingly the steeper the gradient the sooner the water followed the slope vector.

To cut a long story short he created the Pelz putting hydro deflection table. By inputting the data over all simulated greens he was able to create the formula (Bd + wv) / gsr = bd(O / Pf)

Where: Bd = Bucket Direction. wv = Water Volume. bd = Ball direction vector. O = Offset and Pf = Putter Force.

His research in this field has been quite inspirational to tour players and their coaches. IMO many club golfers could dramatically lower their putting averages if they used this method.

[Neil18]

Re: The Spider position

No. He threw one bucket of water onto one green then used a computer model to simulate the effects of the same bucket of water being thrown onto 100 other greens. The point being (and this is where it got really interesting) where the simulated greens sloped left or right the water always ran left or right, as the case may be. He then extrapolated the data into slopes of different gradients, surprisingly the steeper the gradient the sooner the water followed the slope vector.

To cut a long story short he created the Pelz putting hydro deflection table. By inputting the data over all simulated greens he was able to create the formula (Bd + wv) / gsr = bd(O / Pf)

Where: Bd = Bucket Direction. wv = Water Volume. bd = Ball direction vector. O = Offset and Ps = Putter Force.

His research in this field has been quite inspirational to tour players and their coaches. IMO many club golfers could dramatically lower their putting averages if they used this method.

Get your tongue out your cheek Bri!

I can't see anybody holing anything after a bucket of water has been dumped on your line.

Yet another crock thought up for increased sales. I'll consider it filed alongside Jim Mcleans X factor, Butch Harmons left eye, and chocolate radiators.

[Bogeygolfer19]

Re: The Spider position

Brian W,

Thanks for your input. I am now looking for a new golf club to join. I was curious about your figures so I took it on myself to try it out for myself. Earlier this afternoon when it was quite at my club I made my way to the 18th green with bucket of water in hand. I chucked it on the green to see if it would produce some feedback. Well cheers my friend I got some real feedback. I was not aware that the club secretary was driving past in his car at this time. He stopped got out of his car and demanded my name and membership number before instructing me to leave the course. I attempted to negotiate with him and explained my actions, however it all fell on deaf ears. He informed me that I would be getting a letter through the post and will have to explain my actions infront of the commitee.
Bogeygolfer

[BrianW]

Re: The Spider position

Brian W,

Thanks for your input. I am now looking for a new golf club to join. I was curious about your figures so I took it on myself to try it out for myself. Earlier this afternoon when it was quite at my club I made my way to the 18th green with bucket of water in hand. I chucked it on the green to see if it would produce some feedback. Well cheers my friend I got some real feedback. I was not aware that the club secretary was driving past in his car at this time. He stopped got out of his car and demanded my name and membership number before instructing me to leave the course. I attempted to negotiate with him and explained my actions, however it all fell on deaf ears. He informed me that I would be getting a letter through the post and will have to explain my actions infront of the commitee.
Bogeygolfer

DISCLAIMER::: I did say "Imagine throwing a bucket of water"
If you must throw a real one do it in the dark

[BrianW]

Re: The Spider position

Get your tongue out your cheek Bri!

I can't see anybody holing anything after a bucket of water has been dumped on your line.

Yet another crock thought up for increased sales. I'll consider it filed alongside Jim Mcleans X factor, Butch Harmons left eye, and chocolate radiators.

Honest Neil, it works! You don't actually throw the water you IMAGINE it and see where it flows in your minds eye, you don't even need to take a bucket with you, I use a virtual one. The technical stuff was purely for the technocrats amongst us. Honest

[ogallalabob]

Re: The Spider position

Heh, on my course throwing water on to the green would get you a thanks. Of course its 100 degrees and we been in a draught the last 3 years.

Oh well you can always show the committee the spider position that should be worth something.

[bill reed]

Re: The Spider position

hi Brian
was i not a 2 ltr bottle he used and not a bucket and did he not get his son to do it. (Wise man)
i know with the humps and bumps on the links greens up here it does help you visualizes the ball braking.
i like playing very early in the morning before the due is off the green and you can see your ball tracking on the greens.
cheers
bill

[Mox]

Re: The Spider position

hi
i think you have to admit that D Pelz has put in more hours in studying greens and how a ball reacts than any one else, his research has the top pros flocking to his door each year to help with there putting.
i also wonder how many of you would be carrying 3 wedges if it was not for D Pelz research into the short game.
cheers
bill

I carry 4. 'nuff said