Putting Advice

[phil lowndes]

I've got a problem when it comes to putting. Generally I'm quite good at putting its very rare that i 3 putt. However when i look at my putter face face on you can see marks on the face about 1/2 cm left of center. Does this mean that i'm pulling or pushing my putts. If so is there any tips to curing the problem. cheers guys your help is always apprieciated.

[gord962]

Re: Putting Advice

This doesn't necessarily mean you are pushing or pulling, just hitting off centre. As long as your putter face is square to the target and you are staying on path with your swing, there should be no problem. 1/2 cm is not a concernable distance off centre. If you are still concerned, line the ball up 1/2 cm closer to you - this should then get you hitting the ball dead center.

I have one drill for you to try for me:

Set up to a ball, with another ball in your pocket. When you are in your 'ready' position and you are ready to make your stroke, take your right hand off the putter grip, take the golf ball from your pocket and hold the ball up to your left eye. Now, drop the ball - it should fall directly on top of the ball your putter is lined up to.

This ensures your eye is looking straight down the target line. Why I am asking you to do this drill is because I have a feeling your ball is too far away and when you line up. From where you are looking, it appears you have aligned the ball with the centre of your putter, but if you look from directly above, you will be off centre.

[Mizunoman]

Re: Putting Advice

Phil,

A good thing to check is that your putter's sweet spot is actually in the middle of the face. You may find that the sweet spot is off centre. Hold the putter up in front of you with one hand. Using a pencil with an eraser on the end tap the face of the putter. When the putter swings normally with no turn to the left or right you have found the sweet spot, mark the top with a spot of paint and use this when you line up the putts.

D.