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Post by golfdad on Apr 8, 2011 8:04:55 GMT -5
If I did not misunderstand Stockton's teaching on putting, he does not do even one practice swing.
what is the rationale for that?
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Post by Richie3Jack on Apr 8, 2011 8:36:56 GMT -5
If I did not misunderstand Stockton's teaching on putting, he does not do even one practice swing. what is the rationale for that? I think Stockton wants no more than 1 practice stroke. Probably feels like the brain can detect what type of stroke you need and that over-doing it will just cause confusion. I understand it to a degree, but I think this isn't advisable for the average golfer. I think I'll write my next blog post about this. 3JACK |
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Post by golfdad on Apr 8, 2011 8:46:17 GMT -5
richie, i would like to hear more of what you think. i enjoy reading your balanced views on golf:) as if it is not confusing enough for a beginner to figure out what works for him, choosing among the pelz school, the stockton school and the utley school (must be more out there). since my kids are "students" of golf and music, i have learnt to appreciate that often, a teacher with "talent" --not to be confused with a talented teacher--may or may not be able to effectively help an average student because they may not be at the same frequency. i have seen stockton somewhere doing a demo (on a clip) where he simply said,,,i don't even practice a stroke, i see it and i just do it.  wish more people can relate to that:) richie, wish you can touch on this in your blog: by synthesizing everyone you have been exposed to, suppose you have a total beginner in front of you, how do you present a putting lesson? |
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Post by cwdlaw223 on Apr 8, 2011 8:56:39 GMT -5
I don't use a practice stroke. I find that a practice stroke takes me out of my focus on the putt and all of the effort that I put into reading the putt. The more delay from the read to execution the worse the execution (for me). Some guys love to make practice strokes, back off and that becomes their routine (Furyk does this). I know that the weakness in my routine is that I can get quick. I'll take quick over sitting all day long thinking about a putt with many practice strokes.
Stick with your routine.
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Post by cloran on Apr 8, 2011 9:09:12 GMT -5
I don't take a practice stroke either. In fact, I don't take practice swings with any club. I've yet to break 80... probably because of my short game and putting, so consider the source. How's THAT for honesty?! |
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Post by golfdad on Apr 8, 2011 9:11:40 GMT -5
i will give you that for honesty and to be honest, i thought that most people do some sort of practice swing before putting, so i am a little surprised both of you gents actually do not. sample bias! |
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Post by cloran on Apr 8, 2011 9:21:06 GMT -5
I feel I get the best results when I keep the motion "athletic."
If I was trying to toss the ball into the hole I wouldn't make a few imaginary tosses. I'd just let the ball go useing all the instinct, feel, etc that I've acquired over the years.
Same with putting. If I practice enough (and spend at least 30 seconds on the putting green prior to teeing off) I can trust my instincts and let 'er fly.
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Post by Richie3Jack on Apr 8, 2011 9:24:13 GMT -5
I remember playing in a qualifier for the NY State Am and one of my playing partners was a good golfer, in his 50's, pretty well known around the area. Never took any practice swing or practice stroke. Whipped right around the course. Of course, I don't actually care if somebody I'm playing with thinks I'm slow (I'm actually a fast player, but if you play super-fast, I just won't change my pre-shot routine for you). We were playing with an ultra-slow player that day as well. Must've been pure torture to wait so long
Essentially, I believe if you watch Mangum's video, you'll see that you're missing out a big advantage with practice strokes. The problem is that so many of us don't know how to use those practice strokes to our advantage.
As far as practice swings go. I usually take 1 practice swing and one 1/2 swing of sorts and get up, couple of waggles, and hit it. I find the practice swings loosen up some tension and help me get re-focused again.
But the putting practice strokes have a different advantage to them if you know how to do it.
That's kinda the thing I'm adjusting to with really focusing on getting AimPoint right. It changes my routine *slighty*. However, that small change can disrupt things if you don't do it right. So it just takes a little practice to get those changes down.
Personally, I think if you add what Mangum teaches and get AimPoint reading down, I think most can be a phenomenal putter. I really believe that.
3JACK
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Post by rohlio on Apr 8, 2011 11:18:00 GMT -5
I don't take a practice stroke.
I do let the putter swing freely while I am standing behind the ball looking down the line to the hole. I just let my hands kind of pendulum while looking at the intended roll.
When I step up to the ball it is one look and go.
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Post by mchepp on Apr 8, 2011 15:38:29 GMT -5
For me, I don't use a practice stroke due to pace of play. I figure I have a little less than 20 seconds once it is my turn and I would rather spend that time lining up the face to my target. I use Geoff's theory on distance control and I rarely have a problem with pace.
Just got into a routine doing it this way.
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Post by gmbtempe on Apr 8, 2011 16:39:26 GMT -5
I don't take a practice stroke. I do let the putter swing freely while I am standing behind the ball looking down the line to the hole. I just let my hands kind of pendulum while looking at the intended roll. When I step up to the ball it is one look and go. me too, like Baddeley. |
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Post by jiminsc on Apr 27, 2011 19:50:14 GMT -5
I spend my pre putt time reading the green, get my line, and let my eyes dictate the lenght of my stroke. I really believe the less time you spend at address the better stroke you will make.
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