**Golf Talk** thread

[KSB2424 3,148]

Alright folks, I'm in the market for some new fairway woods / hybirds. I am set at Driver, 4i thru wedges. However I am desperate need for an upgrade in fairway woods / hybrids. Couple questions after a cursory search.

 

1. Is there even a difference anymore between fairway woods and hybirds? I was looking at them and a 5wood has a 19 degree loft which is the same as the 3H in the same brand. Its sort of confusing.

 

I really don't want to spend a boat load, as well, I just don't. My limit is 300 bucks for two clubs. I'm really comfortable with my driver so I'm thinking I don't need a 3W. I might go just with a 5W and then one hybrid to bridge the gap between 5W and 4i. I like carrying 3 wedges so....

 

I've been looking at the new Adams Super S hybrids and fairway woods. http://www.golfsmith.com/product/30085995/adams-super-s-hybrid

 

Any suggestions or tips?

[Patriotsfatboy1 1,432]

Alright folks, I'm in the market for some new fairway woods / hybirds. I am set at Driver, 4i thru wedges. However I am desperate need for an upgrade in fairway woods / hybrids. Couple questions after a cursory search.

 

1. Is there even a difference anymore between fairway woods and hybirds? I was looking at them and a 5wood has a 19 degree loft which is the same as the 3H in the same brand. Its sort of confusing.

 

I really don't want to spend a boat load, as well, I just don't. My limit is 300 bucks for two clubs. I'm really comfortable with my driver so I'm thinking I don't need a 3W. I might go just with a 5W and then one hybrid to bridge the gap between 5W and 4i. I like carrying 3 wedges so....

 

I've been looking at the new Adams Super S hybrids and fairway woods. http://www.golfsmith.com/product/30085995/adams-super-s-hybrid

 

Any suggestions or tips?

 

I replaced my 5 wood last year with a 3H from Adams. It works well and has more functionality (off the tee, in the rough, in the sand, etc.) than the 5W.

[DankNuggs 305]

my buddy has the new titleist hybrids and they feel solid... Personally i like long irons more than hybrids, i tend to balloon hybrids for whatever reason... I have a 50yd gap in my bag between my 3i and 3W, and considering something like a 5w... I carry 52/56 wedges and could probably ditch the 52. Then again, i figure the number of shots where wedges come into play are much greater than the few odd times i'm 230 out and don't want to hit a 90% 3w.

 

Decisions, decisions...

[KSB2424 3,148]

 

I replaced my 5 wood last year with a 3H from Adams. It works well and has more functionality (off the tee, in the rough, in the sand, etc.) than the 5W.

 

Hmmm interesting. Adams new Super S hybrids make a 1H with like 15 degrees of loft. Maybe I should just skip fairway woods all together and go 1H, 3H, 4iron, on up.

 

Which leads me to another question.

 

As far as distance, is for example, a 4i and a 4Hybrid really the same? Or is the hybird a club length longer (12-15 yards)?

 

I need two clubs to get me from driver to 4 iron. I'm not the longest ball stricker, I hit my Driver 260-265 and my 4iron goes about 190. So I guess I need something to hit 230 and 210 respectivley or so.

[DankNuggs 305]

 

Hmmm interesting. Adams new Super S hybrids make a 1H with like 15 degrees of loft. Maybe I should just skip fairway woods all together and go 1H, 3H, 4iron, on up.

 

Which leads me to another question.

 

As far as distance, is for example, a 4i and a 4Hybrid really the same? Or is the hybird a club length longer (12-15 yards)?

I'd recommend going to a fitting and hitting on the range or a simulator/launch monitor... Its more than just a loft thing, shaft kickpoints and lies will vary. If you are buying off the shelf one manufacturer may fit your swing better than another... I swing hybrids with an iron swing, woods i am less steep, ball flights are totally different. My long irons are piercing, my hybrids balloon and come down softer (but will exacerbate fades more than the iron will) I find the hybrid less consistent, but they are probably easier to make good contact with for the average player... Your results may vary.

[Patriotsfatboy1 1,432]

 

Hmmm interesting. Adams new Super S hybrids make a 1H with like 15 degrees of loft. Maybe I should just skip fairway woods all together and go 1H, 3H, 4iron, on up.

 

Which leads me to another question.

 

As far as distance, is for example, a 4i and a 4Hybrid really the same? Or is the hybird a club length longer (12-15 yards)?

 

I need two clubs to get me from driver to 4 iron. I'm not the longest ball stricker, I hit my Driver 260-265 and my 4iron goes about 190. So I guess I need something to hit 230 and 210 respectivley or so.

 

A 4H is a little more than a 4i, but not by much. I have a 3 wood (TaylorMade) that I really like off the tee and off the deck. The 3 woods now are so bottom weighted and have big heads that I would not abandon them. I got rid of my 3i, 4i, 5i and have hybrids for those. Still have driver and 3 wood. Have 6-9 irons, 4 wedges (P, S, A, Lob) and a putter.

 

All you guys are really long hitters off the tee (big shocker). I don't get my 3w to take me 250. Maybe 220 on a good day. My driver is anywhere from 200-250 depending on how well I catch it and the wind.

[KSB2424 3,148]

I'd recommend going to a fitting and hitting on the range or a simulator/launch monitor... Its more than just a loft thing, shaft kickpoints and lies will vary. If you are buying off the shelf one manufacturer may fit your swing better than another... I swing hybrids with an iron swing, woods i am less steep, ball flights are totally different. My long irons are piercing, my hybrids balloon and come down softer (but will exacerbate fades more than the iron will) I find the hybrid less consistent, but they are probably easier to make good contact with for the average player... Your results may vary.

 

You're probably right about the fitting. I do have more of a level swing naturally and sweep the ball rather than hit down on it like I should. I thinks that's why I hit my Driver and my old 3W that is now cracked so well and struggle with long to medium range irons.

 

I'm so confused. Golf. Its a love / hate relationship.

[DankNuggs 305]

 

You're probably right about the fitting. I do have more of a level swing naturally and sweep the ball rather than hit down on it like I should. I thinks that's why I hit my Driver and my old 3W that is now cracked so well and struggle with long to medium range irons.

 

I'm so confused. Golf. Its a love / hate relationship.

if you are more of a sweeper i'd imagine a 5w might work better than say a 3H with the same loft... try them out though, fun process regardless trying out new sticks...

[KSB2424 3,148]

 

A 4H is a little more than a 4i, but not by much. I have a 3 wood (TaylorMade) that I really like off the tee and off the deck. The 3 woods now are so bottom weighted and have big heads that I would not abandon them. I got rid of my 3i, 4i, 5i and have hybrids for those. Still have driver and 3 wood. Have 6-9 irons, 4 wedges (P, S, A, Lob) and a putter.

 

All you guys are really long hitters off the tee (big shocker). I don't get my 3w to take me 250. Maybe 220 on a good day. My driver is anywhere from 200-250 depending on how well I catch it and the wind.

 

We're not all that far off on distance. I used to hit my 3W off the deck about 220 or so. However that was an old Callaway big bertha 3W from the early 2000's. I assume the new technolgy will be longer.

[WhiteWonder 2,681]

fitting is a good way to go.

 

generally speaking, hybrids give you the forgiveness of a wood as well as the control of an iron (shorter shaft)

 

i don't carry a 5 wood. I carry a 3wood and a 3H. I don't really hit my 3 wood from the fairway at all. always seems I can either reach with the hybrid or i'd prefer to accurately place my hybrid to a nice wedge distance.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about numbers matching up. As Dank said, it's more than just loft but loft is more important than the # a company assigns to it's hybrid. You may notice that some 3 hybrids have varying lofts. Just as some iron sets have slightly varying lofts. Taylor Made, for example, was always a bit stronger in their iron lofts. (not sure if that still holds true)

 

best thing to do is hit an outdoor range or testing facility and dial in your distances.

[DankNuggs 305]

 

We're not all that far off on distance. I used to hit my 3W off the deck about 225 or so. However that was an old Callaway big bertha 3W from the early 2000's. I assume the new technolgy will be longer.

I had a 12 degree original big bertha driver that i loved, was consistent off the tee and high enough loft to take it off the deck... My old clubs got stolen Funny that I now have a burner 3w and the head on it has to be bigger than that bertha...

[KSB2424 3,148]

fitting is a good way to go.

 

generally speaking, hybrids give you the forgiveness of a wood as well as the control of an iron (shorter shaft)

 

i don't carry a 5 wood. I carry a 3wood and a 3H. I don't really hit my 3 wood from the fairway at all. always seems I can either reach with the hybrid or i'd prefer to accurately place my hybrid to a nice wedge distance.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about numbers matching up. As Dank said, it's more than just loft but loft is more important than the # a company assigns to it's hybrid. You may notice that some 3 hybrids have varying lofts. Just as some iron sets have slightly varying lofts. Taylor Made, for example, was always a bit stronger in their iron lofts. (not sure if that still holds true)

 

best thing to do is hit an outdoor range or testing facility and dial in your distances.

 

Gotha thanks. What I'm realling looking for is one club that I can use on par 5's when I'm like 215-240 out to reach in two. While also being able to use it on a short par 4 where there is a creek or something 260 or maybe is a narrow fairway that I can tee off with.

 

The other club I need for 195-210 shots on long par 3's or maybe lay up on long par 5's.

 

I'll probably just grab a Adams Super S 3W, 5W, 2h, 3h, and 4h and spend 30 minutes in the simulator. Should be fun.

[KSB2424 3,148]

I had a 12 degree original big bertha driver that i loved, was consistent off the tee and high enough loft to take it off the deck... My old clubs got stolen Funny that I now have a burner 3w and the head on it has to be bigger than that bertha...

 

I loved my old big bertha 3W it was my favorite club for a decade. People thought it was a 5W though as the head was so small compared to todays clubs.

 

RIP Big Bertha 3W, you'll be missed.

[WhiteWonder 2,681]

the first name brand club i ever bought when i was younger was a Big Bertha Warbird 3 wood. Steel shaft and I used it off the tee for years. I was maybe 12 years old. Eventually i broke the shaft, pretty sure i slammed it down in disgust one day and it bounced up and into a tree trunk. Taught me never to lose my temper at golf. Re shafted with a UST proforce (the gold and purple shaft). Still have it and won't ever get rid of it. the head is actually larger than my current Callaway FT 3

[DankNuggs 305]

the first name brand club i ever bought when i was younger was a Big Bertha Warbird 3 wood. Steel shaft and I used it off the tee for years. I was maybe 12 years old. Eventually i broke the shaft, pretty sure i slammed it down in disgust one day and it bounced up and into a tree trunk. Taught me never to lose my temper at golf. Re shafted with a UST proforce (the gold and purple shaft). Still have it and won't ever get rid of it. the head is actually larger than my current Callaway FT 3

I hit a wedge into a tree and the ball never came back down... I took it out on the tree and turns my PW shaft into a question mark... Was a fake set of ping i's.... golf definitely requires maturity and persepctive.

[rallo 136]

 

Gotha thanks. What I'm realling looking for is one club that I can use on par 5's when I'm like 215-240 out to reach in two. While also being able to use it on a short par 4 where there is a creek or something 260 or maybe is a narrow fairway that I can tee off with.

 

The other club I need for 195-210 shots on long par 3's or maybe lay up on long par 5's.

 

I'll probably just grab a Adams Super S 3W, 5W, 2h, 3h, and 4h and spend 30 minutes in the simulator. Should be fun.

 

If you are going with adams i would like to steer you towards the adams super XTD from last year. http://www.tgw.com/customer/category/product.jsp/SUBCATEGORY_ID/41658/refScid/1320 I can't say enough about the club, so i'll just say to make sure and give it a whirl in the simulator if they still carry the club. You won't be disappointed. Have fun!

[cbfalcon 825]

I guess Rory is just taking this year off. +6 through 13. Nikolas Colsairts is +8, but he is finished for the day. So we are on pace for worst round of the day.

 

I have to say, I'm prety dissappointed in him. I really think at his best he is the one guy that can compete with Tiger. But while I believe he will win 5-10 Majors and we'll eventually talk about him as an all time great, a year like this is unacceptible.

 

I'm writing him off for the US Open. Maybe he'll recover and win one of the last 2 Majors and we'll just blame it on new clubs. But it's hard to imagine him competing right now.

[Cruzer 1,995]

I guess Rory is just taking this year off. +6 through 13. Nikolas Colsairts is +8, but he is finished for the day. So we are on pace for worst round of the day.

 

And he even birdied his first hole. Good grief, he really is all over the place right now.

[cbfalcon 825]

A couple of weeks ago I played Champions Circle. First time and as Cruzer predicted, I loved it. Great layout that never got boring, and a good mix of tough holes combined with birdie holes.

 

I played some really good golf on the front, but it made me a little stupid. I was overdrawing my irons a bit, yet I still took dead aim at some far left tucked pins that were right up against OB. The result was a 41 with 3 lost balls, all when aiming at left tucked pins.....On the back 9, I blew up and played the first 5 holes at +10 before recovering and playing the last 4 holes at E. I think the result was a 41-46-87.

 

----

 

Then this past Saturday I did something I haven't done in a few years. I was bored mid afternoon and just said fock it. Went to Rockwood and played 18 by myself. If you were there, I was the guy with ear buds in listening to The National while he golfed. It was nice. I was shocked by the speed, as I finished 9 holes in an hour.And that was with a couple of short waits....On the back side I played through about 4 groups before running up against the a heavier crowd, so I just relaxed and played on my phone between holes. That side was about 2 hours long. But knowing I can play in 2ish hours solo without a crowd has me thinking I may occasionally do the after work round during the week. Get off at 5 and it gets dark around 845. Plenty of time.

 

Oh, I shot an 83. The driver is automatic at the moment, but while my iron distances are great, I'm missing wide too often.

[Cruzer 1,995]

A couple of weeks ago I played Champions Circle. First time and as Cruzer predicted, I loved it. Great layout that never got boring, and a good mix of tough holes combined with birdie holes.

 

----

 

Then this past Saturday I did something I haven't done in a few years. I was bored mid afternoon and just said fock it. Went to Rockwood and played 18 by myself.

Cool, thought you might like CC. Not sure if you remember the 2nd hole, but that one is my nemisis - seem to always hook my second shot into the focking pond there.

 

Old Rockwood, or as it's commonly refered to now, RockDirt. Believe it or not, this course has a long history of many big time players having graced its grounds. The likes of Hogan, Nelson, Trevino, Don January, C. Campbell, M. Brooks, and several other touring pros have teed it up here. For years and years Rockwood hosted the fist round of the boys city championship. It was not uncommon to see kids post 61 - 63's on it.

[cbfalcon 825]

Cool, thought you might like CC. Not sure if you remember the 2nd hole, but that one is my nemisis - seem to always hook my second shot into the focking pond there.

 

Old Rockwood, or as it's commonly refered to now, RockDirt. Believe it or not, this course has a long history of many big time players having graced its grounds. The likes of Hogan, Nelson, Trevino, Don January, C. Campbell, M. Brooks, and several other touring pros have teed it up here. For years and years Rockwood hosted the fist round of the boys city championship. It was not uncommon to see kids post 61 - 63's on it.

 

I think you wrote that exact same Rockwood paragraph when I posted about it being my first time to shoot in the 70's. I'll have to look it up to see.

 

Hey, congrats man! I've played hundreds of rounds over the years at the old Rock. It was the very first place I officially played a round of golf with my first set - shot 75 on 9 holes, ha. That course has had many, many touring pros play it over the years. The 1st round of the boys city tournament for the championship flight is always played there - many started their careers covering that track. #10 and #12 are 2 of the hardest dead straight par 4's you'll ever find.

 

 

OK, not quite the same. I love old Rockwood though. Obviously Rockdirt is a solid name for it. But I have so many memories there that I'll always enjoy it.

 

---

 

As for hole #2 at CC. I hit a nice fade driver over those trees at the elbow and had a short iron coming in. Pin tucked maybe 8 feet from the left edge.., and yep. Overdrew it. It was one of the 3. Maybe missed the green by 3 feet, but hit the bank and right into the water. Double bogey.

[DankNuggs 305]

44 39

44 39

43 39

 

 

Three rounds this year all on cape cod. Last round i chipped in on 18 from 60 yards, elevated green, blind shot. Two hops and in... All three rounds I've gone straight from the parking lot to the first tee, no range time. I played 4 holes after work on tuesday before I got downpours on, was +2 on decent muni Donald Ross course I've never played.

 

Figure once i hit my stride and bother to take a few swings before the 1st tee I'll have some scores starting w a 7....

[swirvenirvin 25]

playing here http://www.orchards.com/ today leaving work in a few hours.

 

They just wrapped up the Michigan Open there yesterday so course will be in prime condition!

[swirvenirvin 25]

Also I can't putt. I think I am going to switch to belly putter. Had one round all year where I made more than 2 putts from 6 feet. Besides that I suck. Think some of the greens have been crappy but very agrrevating.

[DankNuggs 305]

Also I can't putt. I think I am going to switch to belly putter. Had one round all year where I made more than 2 putts from 6 feet. Besides that I suck. Think some of the greens have been crappy but very agrrevating.

I wouldn't do that. What i'd do is get a putting mat for at home. Practice just squaring up and hitting straight putts. Most hackers would probably be shocked at how out of alignment they are putting. I got the iPing app that has a case you put your iphone in, and you clamp it on the putter shaft. It measures tempo, face angle...etc... I was really using it for tempo. Consistent tempo...

 

When i get on a new course practice green i'll hit a couple putts just pulling the putter back to my left foot (lefty lol), and see how far they roll. Gives a good feel for speed.

 

I firmly believe its all about having a base where you can square up and hit the 5-10ft straight putts. From there its interpretation and feel. People who don't play alot tend to overestimate break.

 

Lastly i think its good to have the same routine.. Like consistent tempo is important, consistent routine will give you confidence and help to feel balanced and centered over the putt.

[Cruzer 1,995]

Also I can't putt. I think I am going to switch to belly putter. Had one round all year where I made more than 2 putts from 6 feet. Besides that I suck. Think some of the greens have been crappy but very agrrevating.

I do agree alignment is super important in putting, and yes, most have no clue they are lined up to a point other than what they think they are. But more than anything putting is more mental than any other part of the game. Even if it makes no technical sense, I'd totally encourage you to switch to the belly putter. As we all know if it looks good we feel good - and when we feel good, confidence tends to follow.

[cbfalcon 825]

I've got a buddy that's never played before that asked me to teach him. Took him out to the range this week and it was the first time he has ever hit balls in his life.

 

I handed him an 8 iron. Basically made sure his grip was decent and that both V's were point at his right shoulder. Told him to keep his right elbow close to his body throughout the swing, and go. Somehow about half of his shots were sub 100 level with the 8 iron. Of course the others never got off the ground or were wicked slices.

 

Then I over burdened his brain by telling him to square the club face, swing inside out, make sure the right shoulder is lower at setup, etc. He couldn't get it off the ground until I went back and said "forget all that and just focus on keeping your head relatively still and keeping that elbow close to the body". That seemed to help again.

 

 

The biggest issue starting out was that his weight never left his right foot. So I told him to work on weight transfer with some practice swinging during the week before we hit balls again.

 

I'm obviously not a teacher. It's been 20 years since I was the guy shooting in the 120s and trying to learn the basics. Any tips for getting him started?

[Cruzer 1,995]

 

Then I over burdened his brain by telling him to square the club face, swing inside out, make sure the right shoulder is lower at setup, etc. He couldn't get it off the ground until I went back and said "forget all that and just focus on keeping your head relatively still and keeping that elbow close to the body". That seemed to help again.

 

 

The biggest issue starting out was that his weight never left his right foot. So I told him to work on weight transfer with some practice swinging during the week before we hit balls again.

 

I'm obviously not a teacher. It's been 20 years since I was the guy shooting in the 120s and trying to learn the basics. Any tips for getting him started?

Wow, you damn near totally fried his brain. Beginners, especially adult beginners, are already so tweaked out of their minds with thoughts and images of what they think they should be doing or how they should look based on the guys on tv - that information overload is the worst thing you can do.

 

The great Harvey Penick took beginners to the range with a 7-iron and a few tees. He'd place one tee at the normal ball position and tell the student to swing until they could hit the tee out of the ground, in the course of a golf motion. Women mostly, but men too, have the hardest time understanding that you must hit down in order for the ball to go up. Once they mastered this, he'd let them start hitting actual balls.

 

For your buddy I'd start from scratch. Tell him to forget everything you told him and clear his mind. Start off with the 8-iron and have him hit little 1/2 punches down the range. Once he started to make solid contact and get the feel of compression - have him widen his stance and make fuller swings. When he gets out of whack, have him go back to 1/2 shots and punches, then start all over. As you know, the full swing is just a bigger version of the half shot.

[cbfalcon 825]

Wow, you damn near totally fried his brain. Beginners, especially adult beginners, are already so tweaked out of their minds with thoughts and images of what they think they should be doing or how they should look based on the guys on tv - that information overload is the worst thing you can do.

 

The great Harvey Penick took beginners to the range with a 7-iron and a few tees. He'd place one tee at the normal ball position and tell the student to swing until they could hit the tee out of the ground, in the course of a golf motion. Women mostly, but men too, have the hardest time understanding that you must hit down in order for the ball to go up. Once they mastered this, he'd let them start hitting actual balls.

 

For your buddy I'd start from scratch. Tell him to forget everything you told him and clear his mind. Start off with the 8-iron and have him hit little 1/2 punches down the range. Once he started to make solid contact and get the feel of compression - have him widen his stance and make fuller swings. When he gets out of whack, have him go back to 1/2 shots and punches, then start all over. As you know, the full swing is just a bigger version of the half shot.

 

Yeah, I know I fried his brain. Luckily I saw the error of my ways about about 5 swings and went back to square one. I think the fact that he was hitting about half of his 8 irons well gave me too much confidence.

 

Half shot punches are a solid idea.

[swirvenirvin 25]

I do agree alignment is super important in putting, and yes, most have no clue they are lined up to a point other than what they think they are. But more than anything putting is more mental than any other part of the game. Even if it makes no technical sense, I'd totally encourage you to switch to the belly putter. As we all know if it looks good we feel good - and when we feel good, confidence tends to follow.

I think this is key. When I switched to the spider about 4 years ago I think I probably had my best year of putting as I was confident that my new putter was making me better. Obvioulsy that has worn off. Continue to shoot aroun 88-92 while constaly leaving 2-3 strokes a round out there by missing 5 ft putts.

[swirvenirvin 25]

I wouldn't do that. What i'd do is get a putting mat for at home. Practice just squaring up and hitting straight putts. Most hackers would probably be shocked at how out of alignment they are putting. I got the iPing app that has a case you put your iphone in, and you clamp it on the putter shaft. It measures tempo, face angle...etc... I was really using it for tempo. Consistent tempo...

 

When i get on a new course practice green i'll hit a couple putts just pulling the putter back to my left foot (lefty lol), and see how far they roll. Gives a good feel for speed.

 

I firmly believe its all about having a base where you can square up and hit the 5-10ft straight putts. From there its interpretation and feel. People who don't play alot tend to overestimate break.

 

Lastly i think its good to have the same routine.. Like consistent tempo is important, consistent routine will give you confidence and help to feel balanced and centered over the putt.

I do think I need to take more time on them. I take my time on the longer putts but for some reason I think I rush those under 10 ft. Greens I play on are so different from course to course to.

[WhiteWonder 2,681]

one of the tips i would give a newish player having trouble with alignment is to stand behind the ball and pick your target. Then, slowly bring your eyes down to your ball and find a spot on the ground roughly 6 inches in front of your ball to focus on. It could be a leaf, discoloration in the grass, anything. It should be something that will remain in your field of vision once you are into your setup and looking down at your ball. This will help make sure your club face is square with your target as you can make sure it is square with your mark 6 inches in front of your ball without having to tilt or pick up your head.

 

same can be said for putting. pick your line and focus on a spot a few inches in front of your ball. eliminates the need to lift your head and focus on the cup when all you should really be doing is focusing on your line. If you stay on your line, then its all about speed.

 

My other putting tip, especially for short putts, would be to do as i just said but also to keep your head still, with your eyes focused on the ball the entire time you make your stroke. Do not pick your head up after you hit the ball. Keep your eyes locked on the spot where the ball was until you hear the ball drop into the cup.

[rallo 136]

one of the tips i would give a newish player having trouble with alignment is to stand behind the ball and pick your target. Then, slowly bring your eyes down to your ball and find a spot on the ground roughly 6 inches in front of your ball to focus on. It could be a leaf, discoloration in the grass, anything. It should be something that will remain in your field of vision once you are into your setup and looking down at your ball. This will help make sure your club face is square with your target as you can make sure it is square with your mark 6 inches in front of your ball without having to tilt or pick up your head.

 

same can be said for putting. pick your line and focus on a spot a few inches in front of your ball. eliminates the need to lift your head and focus on the cup when all you should really be doing is focusing on your line. If you stay on your line, then its all about speed.

 

My other putting tip, especially for short putts, would be to do as i just said but also to keep your head still, with your eyes focused on the ball the entire time you make your stroke. Do not pick your head up after you hit the ball. Keep your eyes locked on the spot where the ball was until you hear the ball drop into the cup.

agreed on this... the hardest part of the golf swing is getting proper alignment... this holds true for everybody, but especially beginners... The tip of picking a spot a few feet in front of the ball to aim at is paramount... both for putting and everyother shot on the course. Couple this with keeping your feet/waist/shoulders all parallel with the target and the clubface square and you are setting yourself up for success... whenever i am helping a buddy out on the range i always place a club on the ground parallel to the target, then i make sure to square their hips and shoulders with a second club that i am holding... just so they can get used to the feel (when you are square, it often feels like you are aiming to the left).

[DankNuggs 305]

I only pick spots on downhillers or big benders. Uphill or flat I'm just concentrating on aiming and setting up square and power.

[WhiteWonder 2,681]

I only pick spots on downhillers or big benders. Uphill or flat I'm just concentrating on aiming and setting up square and power.

Picking a spot IS aiming.

[Cruzer 1,995]

Another tip that helps me when my short putts aren't falling: I shorten my backstroke and follow the ball with my putter down the line to the hole, I also strike the ball in the middle to upper half of hit - keeps the ball from skipping so much.

[DankNuggs 305]

Picking a spot IS aiming.

Was referring to picking a spot 6 inches in front of the ball.

[DankNuggs 305]

Another tip that helps me when my short putts aren't falling: I shorten my backstroke and follow the ball with my putter down the line to the hole, I also strike the ball in the middle to upper half of hit - keeps the ball from skipping so much.

Its good to have a linear stroke for short putts...If you have an arc'ing stroke where the club goes from open to square to close and requires perfect timing to avoid the putter face being angled it increases the difficulty.

[KSB2424 3,148]

Another tip that helps me when my short putts aren't falling: I shorten my backstroke and follow the ball with my putter down the line to the hole, I also strike the ball in the middle to upper half of hit - keeps the ball from skipping so much.

 

I saw this on the golf channel and actually did it on the putting greens a few times. I like the idea of it as when I miss short puts its because I decellerate or 'stab' at it trying to get cute.

 

http://www.golfchannel.com/media/swingfix-martin-hall-power-putting-062912/

[DankNuggs 305]

 

I saw this on the golf channel and actually did it on the putting greens a few times. I like the idea of it as when I miss short puts its because I decellerate or 'stab' at it trying to get cute.

 

http://www.golfchannel.com/media/swingfix-martin-hall-power-putting-062912/

definitely true... same reason I miss short chips... decel is the worst thing you can do.