Putter

How to Drop Your Handicap FAST Using the 3 P’s of Putting

May 20, 2008 by admin

Here is one of those e-tips again… if you are rushed, don’t have much time to read, etc.. please put this e-tip down (close, etc..) and come back to it when you have time and a VERY open mind… This is one of those e-tips that will be “so important” to your game, it could/will actually shock you with the rapid improvement/lowering of your handicap.

THE 3 Ps OF PUTTING

Simply stated, it is “Practicing your Putting with a Purpose”

Folks, it is actually pretty simple and painless, you just have to DO IT RIGHT!!!

Now, before you think to yourself, “Yeah, I know, Tim always says how important putting is, but I really need to work on my full swing first”, please read the following stats and “studies” that have been conducted and then I will explain how you can literally improve your game overnight…

First – You must first realize the importance of putting. 43% of scoring occurs on the putting green for the average player (male shooting 97, female shooting 107). As the scoring increases so does the % of putts. For a scratch golfer, the percentage lowers to about 40%, but no lower.

The statistics are as follows:

30 handicap golfer (aver 100) – 45 putts per round
20 handicap golfer (aver 90) – 40 putts per round
10 handicap golfer (aver 80) – 35 putts per round
Scratch golfer (aver 70) – 30 putts per round
Professional golfer – 28 putts per round

Second – You would think “that only makes sense” as the 30 handicap golfer will hit it further from the hole than the 20 handicap golfer, thus have more putts…. but you would be wrong. If you think of the way golf is played and the way putting stats are kept (just add up how many putts you have once the ball is in the green) – the 20 handicap golfer actually will hit more greens in regulation than the 30 handicap golfer (he/she will be chipping from the side of the green, etc..). Meaning, if you take the average distance to the hole once the player hits the green, typically the 20 handicap golfer will be further than the 30 handicap golfer… in theory, if both had equivalent mid/short games – but here lies the problem.

Third – There are only 3 areas that matter in putting (or any part of the golf swing) – Path, Face Angle, and Speed. Putting is affected by these 3 areas and only these 3 areas. Meaning, everything you work on in putting (for example the grip, set up, etc..) affects either path, face angle and/or speed. The better your path, the better your putting, the better your face angle at impact, the better your putting, the better your speed, the better your putting.

Fourth – READ THIS VERY CAREFULLY: Studies have shown that of 10 golfers who practice their putting, 5 will get no better, 4 will actually get worse, ONLY 1 will improve after practice. Please read this again – of those who practice their putting, 10% will improve the practice, 50% will not, and 40% will ACTUALLY MAKE THEMSELVES WORSE. (This study was performed numerous times testing golfers putting prior to their practice session and after.) As is said in Peoplewise Putting, “Golfers can add, subtract, multiply and divide, and they DON’T like these odds.” I don’t know about you, but if I have a 90% chance of not improving when I practice, “I ain’t practicing” (as they say in Oklahoma…)

Okay – now that everyone is on a “downer” about their putting practice, we’re here to fix that.

Over the years of playing with some of the best players in the world (including Moe, Tiger and many others), competing against many of these players, studying numerous techniques of the short game, etc… etc.. Graves Golf created/perfected a method to improve your putting. Are these “our techniques” – I would have to say no, they are techniques we have brought to you from what we have learned from the best in the world – but we have set a system to help you GUARANTEED – if you follow the Graves Golf system.

Many have/had asked me how I practice my putting – I have used this system since the early 90s when I started competing on mini-tours and other professional PGA/Nationwide Events as I saw so many other professionals using the same method.

Graves Golf SYSTEM – How to Practice Your Putting with a Purpose EVERYTIME you practice. (In other words, every time you practice, you will one of the 10% who improves!!)

It is and EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT system is you use it correctly. Meaning with minimal practice you can become a MUCH better putter and improve your handicap DRAMATICALLY! This system creates a Check System for you every time you practice and gives you a system that you can take to the golf course.

Remember the 3 Ps of Putting – Always Practice Your Putting with a Purpose

Success

April 20, 2007 by admin

Before I begin, want to send a big Congratulations to Zach Johnson (2007 Master’s Champion). Todd and I played on the mini tour with Zach for 3 years on the NGA Hooter’s tour – Zach is from Cedar Rapids, IA and graduated from Drake University. Remember when he first came out of Drake, he came to the mini tours and we were told how good he was. Todd and I played a lot of golf with Zach – he missed his first 7 cuts on the Hooter’s Tour – we all assumed he was just “another flash in the pan…” Yeah right…. Congrats Zach…

This past week, I was watching a special on HBO about John Wooden, famous UCLA basketball coach. Considered one of the greatest (if not the greatest) coaches of all time. I assume many of you know Coach Wooden’s history (much better than myself), which includes: In 27 years as Bruin coach, his teams registered 620 wins, and only 147 losses while earning far more national honors than any other university. Under Wooden, UCLA won an unprecedented 10 NCAA championships, including seven consecutive (1966-73). Included in the string is one of the most amazing win streaks in all of sports, 38 straight NCAA tournament victories. In addition, there is the all-time NCAA consecutive winning streak record of 88 games over four seasons, which included consecutive 30-0 seasons in 1971-72 and 1972- 73. UCLA also won 149 of 151 games in Pauley Pavilion during his Bruin tenure. John Wooden is the only coach to compile four undefeated seasons of 30-0 and his Bruin teams captured 19 conference championships (the record of which Wooden is most proud).

A couple of points struck me as I watched the special. Why was Wooden so successful? Why were his teams so consistent? What bread the consistency? How can we relate this to what we do in our golf games/teachings…

One of the really cool stories that were told in the special, was told by many of his famous past players (such as Bill Walton, Jeff Bridges, etc..). They described the annual ritual all the players went through at their first yearly practice.

Imagine a room full of the top players in the country. The best of the best of the best college players (and all American high schools, then freshmen at UCLA) sitting in a room ready to begin the journey at UCLA. In walks Coach Wooden.

What is he going to tell them? What is he going to expect?

Coach Wooden looks at the team. He tells them to take their socks and shoes off. He asks them to put their socks back on. He tells them to try again. And again, and again. Finally, after a few tries, he shows them the proper way to put on basketball socks. (As described by Bill Walton). Snug over the toes, rolled over the center of the foot, then the heel, then pulled tight over the calves. The players do this over and over until the master putting their socks on.

Next, they put on their basketball shoes. They lace them up. Wooden tells them to try again, and again and again.

Finally, after a while, he shows them the proper way to put basketball shoes on. You put them on, then lace from the bottom up. One lace at a time. Pulling the bottom lace tight, then the next, then the next, until you reach the top – pull tight and tie. Imagine 15 of the best college basketball players of the time learning how to put socks and shoes on. Coach Wooden goes over this process again and again until all master putting on their socks and shoes correctly.After the last person masters this process, Coach Wooden looks at his players and says, “You have now mastered the first fundamental of great basketball, putting your socks and shoes on correctly. Putting them on correctly will keep you from getting blisters. If you get blisters, you can not play basketball. No matter how great you think you are, with blisters on your feet, you are nothing.”

I saw this and about feel out of my chair!! (In fact, they were showing Bill Walton and others putting on their dress shoes today – they still did it Wooden’s way… every time.)

What a great metaphor to what we do. Without the proper fundamentals of Moe’s Single-Axis Golf Swing – you’ve got nothin’ (As Moe even said, “Without a proper Set-Up, you ain’t got nothin’”).

Couple of questions to ask yourself…

1. How good are your fundamentals? 2. Have you mastered the basic fundamentals of Moe’s Single Axis Swing? (Too many golfers get too tied up with details and forget about the fundamentals..)

Start with these fundamentals: 1. The grip. How good is your grip? Have you mastered the proper grip so as you are working on the rest of your swing, you are not compensating for an improper/poor grip?

To see more about the proper grip see our Online Instruction page and see the ‘Advanced Grip Instruction’ slideshow. If you have questions about your grip and want a check system – you might want to consider the training grip club.. we have sold 1000s of the clubs and it has done a lot of good for many who have used it. A wonderful check system to master the proper grip.

2. Set up. Next to look at is your set up. Is your lead arm above your trail? Is there a straight line from your lead shoulder to your club head? Is there a straight line (from the back view) from your club head through the lower part of your trail forearm?

To see more about proper set up see our Online Instruction page and see the “Posture and Stability / Ideal Setup slideshow.

3. Back Swing. Do you have a proper backswing. Is the club on plane in the backswing? Do you hinge you hands/wrists at the appropriate point?

To see more about proper back swing see our Online Instruction page and see the “Backswing” slideshow.

4. Impact – Are you facing ball at impact? Are your shoulders, knees and feet square to the ball at impact? Are your hips “open/turned” at impact? Are you hands leading the ball at impact?

To see more about the proper impact position, see our Online Instruction page and see the “Practicing with the Leverage Bag” slideshow.

These are core fundamentals of Moe’s Single Axis Swing. I bring these up again, because we see so many golfers (single axis golfers and others) who think they have certain problems in their swing, when it really comes down to improper fundamentals.

Proper fundamentals are a key to a consistent swing and consistent ball striking. Never ASSUME your fundamentals are good, check, check and check often.

A second part of Coach Wooden’s story surrounded his “Pyramid of Success”. This was an model he developed to breed/teach success in his players. It involved such things as Poise, Confidence, Condition, Skill, Self Control… a model in which is players/assistant coaches studied to condition success in themselves and the program.

We at the GGA have created our own “Pyramid of Success” for our students. It is called our “7 Principles of Golf Improvement”.

Todd and I created the 7 principles to help our students find and have ongoing success/improvement in their golf games. Using the 7 principles is a method to work on the ENTIRE game, not just parts. Remember, you are only as good as your worst part of your game.

Review of the GGA 7 Principles of Golf Improvement:

Develop a Sound, Repeatable, Powerful Swing of Ease based on Moe Norman’s Golf Swing. (Single Plane / Straight Line Motion).
Develop an efficient Short Game (50% up and down).
Become a good Putter (Under 30 putts per round).
Build or buy Clubs That Fit your game.
Learn to Play on the course using developed skills. (Course Management).
Learn How to Practice efficiently.
7.Learn How to Think.

Where are your strengths? Where are your weaknesses? You must work on your ENTIRE game, not just parts if you want to see improvement.

This doesn’t mean you have to spend hours and hours every day, you need to speed focused practice on areas of current weaknesses in your game._Doing this, will show improvement – GUARANTEED.

In conclusion – No matter whether you are learning basketball from a master coach like John Wooden, or trying to “shave a few strokes” off your game with the help of the Graves Golf Academy – there are common principles everyone must use to see the consistent improvement that will “last” over time.

Some of these principles include – Mastering the Fundamentals. Without proper fundamentals, you will always be hoping or guessing?

Another is to have a method to get better. Do you make it guess work? TOO MANY GOLFERS ARE HOPING AN WISHING TO GET BETTER WITH NO METHOD TO THEIR “MADNESS”. We suggest using our 7 Principles of Golf Improvement – a method to improving your entire game SIGNIFICANTLY.

We understand “Success” in their golf game is different for everyone. For one, it may be shooting a shot better than yesterday, for another it might be hitting it straight 2 times in a row, for a third, it might be cutting their handicap in half in a couple of months. But, no matter your definition, YOU MUST HAVE A METHOD to get there. We ask you stop guessing, use our principles to golf improvement and start to see the results you are looking for.

Good Luck – Remember – Always Practice with a Purpose

Fastest Way to Lower Your Scores – The Putter

August 20, 2006 by admin

What is the fastest way to lower your scores??

Let’s review a stat or two (very telling…). 43% of scoring occurs on the green (with the putter). Meaning if you shoot 90, you will average close to 40 putts per round. If you shoot 80, you will average 35 putts per round. There is no question, the quickest (and for most, the easiest) way to lower your scores is to work on your putting. In this e-tip, I am not going to discuss the proper fundamentals (we have discussed many times and talk about these in many of our instructional videos) – but rather common faults many have with their putting.

#1 – Improperly fit putter.

Many golfers have improperly fit putters. For most, the putter is too long for their set up and many times the lie angle does not fit. To determine proper length of a putter for you, do the following:

Bend over (at the waist) like you were going to putt. Bend comfortably (no stress on your back).
Hang your arms down comfortably (like you are going to putt) with slight (nature) bend in your arms (at the elbows).
Measure the distance from the top of your upper hand to the ground (may need someone to measure). Add one inch. This is a good approximation of the proper putter length for you.

Lie Angle – Set up over your putter (like you are going to hit a putt). Have someone hold your putter in that position. When the putter is set up, slide a card (business card…) under the toe of the putter and under the heel of the putter. It should be even from the toe to the heel. If not, the putter’s lie does not match your setup. You may need to bend to match your set up.

#2 – Improper Set Up The proper set up is to have the ball slightly forward in your stance and under your eyes.

Problem – if the ball is too far back in your stance – you will hit the ball on a downward blow causing it to “jump” on the green – you want overspin on the ball – caused by an upward blow at impact.

Problem – if the ball is not under your eye line it will be difficult to perform the proper putting stroke and when you set up over the ball, you will not be looking down your putting line (you will be looking at your putting line).

#3 – Hand Dominance

Test – Have both hands free. Clap a small/light clap. Determine which hand is moving and which is still. The hand that is moving is your dominant hand. The hand that is stationary is your non-dominant hand. If both are moving – you do not have a dominant side. (For most, you will clap one hand into a stationary hand…)

Issue – ideally you want your trail hand in your putting to be your dominant hand. For example – if you are a right-handed putter, ideally your right hand should be your dominant hand.

Why? Because, it is much easier to control your putter on line when your dominant hand is your trail hand. It is much harder to “wave” your putter off line when your dominant hand is your trail hand…

If you trail hand is your dominant hand – GREAT. If your lead hand is your dominant hand or if you don’t have a dominant hand – we recommend the following. 1. Practice one hand putting with your trail hand until it becomes more comfortable to putt with that hand than your lead hand. 2. May want to experiment putting cross-handed to “give your trail hand more emphasis” in the putting stroke.

Remember – the trail hand runs the putting stroke… the lead hand basically goes along for the ride…. #4 – Improper Grip

What type of grip do you hold your club with (how are your hands on the club)? Are your hands on your putter the same as your full swing grip?

They should not be…

Why? The reason your grip should be different is the following – you are “training” your body/hands to release the club when you are gripping your irons/woods, etc.. You do NOT want to release your putter. Meaning – you need to have a different feeling on the club (a different grip) on your putter.

Examples – I recommend trying the following –

Reverse overlap – putting the entire trail hand on the club and overlap one finger of the lead hand over the trail hand (this is the most popular grip with professionals).
Cross handed – put your right hand on top, left hand on bottom of the grip.
Whatever is comfortable for you (this is no “wrong putter grip”) as long as it is different than your full swing grip.

Remember the following facts about putting (and practicing putting):

There are only 3 things to work on when practicing putting – face alignment, path and speed. Everything in putting is affected by these 3 points. If you are not practicing at least one of these topics, you are not practicing your putting…
Your trail hand should “run” the putter – if not, your putting will be very inconsistent.
You should have VERY LITTLE body movement when putting – basically only your shoulders and arms.
You cannot be TOO OPEN in your putting stance (within reason) – but 1* closed is too closed. Check your alignment often to make sure you do not have a closed stance.

Good Luck!!

PLEASE don’t hesitate to call or email us anytime!! Remember – ALWAYS PRACTICE WITH A PURPOSE

Short Game Winter Practice

January 20, 2006 by admin

As everyone knows who has been at one of our schools, read past instructional material by us, has our instructional material (TGOV or 7 principles) or just spends a little time at any of our academies – we continually stress building the ENTIRE game rather than just parts of the game. As we always say, you will only be as good as the weakest part of your game… With this said, we many times fall into the trap of focusing only on our long game and letting our short game slip a little – or worse, putting very little practice into our short game.

Fact – 43% of scoring occurs on the putting green (with the putter) for an average golfer (20 handicap golfer). As you handicap goes up, this percentage increases… for a scratch golfer – about 40% of scoring occurs with the putter.

And – as this is the time of year we get minimal outdoor practice, let’s talk about setting up a practice station and method to improve our putting (can be done at home , in the office, on the road… in the winter or any time of the year).

First, we recommend you obtain the following “tools” for your putting station. Putting mat (or smooth carpet in your house), yardstick, sharpie marker, 2 rubber bands, golf balls, 2 x 4 (about 2 feet long), DVD, and a magazine.

Next, draw a straight line on your putting mat from the hole back to the end of the mat (or at least 6 to 8 feet) – (would definitely recommend getting a mat for this, not sure too many spouses would be happy putting a line on the house’s carpet..)

Next, place 2 rubber bands on your putter face about 1 to 2 inches apart. You can start wide (2 inches) and then work down.

The center point between the 2 rubber bands should be the sweet spot of the putter. When you are placing the rubber bands on the putter – do not make them smooth – in other words – if you hit the rubber band in your stroke, you want the ball to go off line. When practicing with the rubber bands on the putter it will show you if you are making contact with the sweet spot of your putter (making sure you don’t heel or toe your putter which leads to VERY inconsistent putting, in particular, distance control).

Next, take a golf ball (or few golf balls) and draw a line around the ball with the sharpie. Make the line as circular around the ball as possible. You could use a range ball (with lines on it), but prefer you use the same type of golf balls you play with (to develop feel).

Now let’s talk about drills to work on your alignment, stance and stroke.

“DVD Drill” To determine proper ball position, place a DVD on your mat and place a golf ball in the middle of the DVD. When you look down on the DVD (will reflect) you should not see your left eye (for right hands – right eye for left-handers) – the ball will block the reflection of your lead eye. You will see your trail eye just behind the ball in the reflection. In other words, this is a great check to make sure the ball is under your eye line and slightly forward in your stance. This drill works for short, long and side saddle putting. You will stand a little more inside (further from the ball) with a belly style putter – but still want to get as close as possible.This drill also will help determine if your putter is too long – for many, if they can’t get the golf ball in a good position – could mean the putter (length) is too long.

“Magazine Drill” After you have determined the proper distance from the golf ball, lay a magazine down next to your toes. For most, an average size magazine will fit between the toes and putter (leaving enough room to stroke the putt). Ideally – find a magazine (size) that will fit exactly between your toes and heel of your putter when you set up over the ball. You can then use this check anytime you are practicing putting – to make sure you are the right distance from the ball – just lay down the magazine – put your toes against the magazine and heel on another side.

“2 x 4 Drill” Take the 2 x 4 and place parallel to the line in the mat with just enough room to stroke the putt with the toe of the putter as close to the board as you are comfortable. As you perform this drill, the putter should go back straight and then arc slightly inside (for longer putts) in the backswing. In the through swing the putter will return to square at impact, go straight through and then arc slightly inward (towards your toes) for longer putts. Checkpoint in this drill is the putter never touches the 2 x 4, but stays very close to it.

“Line Drill” Finally – the line drill. You can do either with the “lined ball” or unmarked ball. I recommend both. Place the ball on the line on putt.

When you putt check four things:

You stay VERY still during the putt – minimal movement in the body.
The ball rolls down the line to the hole. Does not go right or
The putter head goes back (backswing) down the line (slightly inward arc for longer putts) and then returns to square at impact, rides the line in the through swing (arcs slightly in for longer putts).
If you used the marked golf ball – should roll straight into the hole – should not “wobble” on the way

These drills work for all forms of putting – short, long, belly and side saddle. In fact, as you examine your putting and putting stroke in the offseason, it may be a great time to “experiment” with other forms. The roll of the golf ball, path of the putter, etc… doesn’t lie. With these drills and tools you can see what form of putting gives you the best roll and chance to improve your scoring in the upcoming year.

Good Luck

Be watching for more upcoming Winter Practice Tips in upcoming Etips.

Remember – ALWAYS PRACTICE WITH A PURPOSE

Putter Fitter

April 20, 2005 by admin

According to the PGA:

One of the most stressful events a golfer can put on his/her back is putting – especially practice. This is one of the only extended times you will bend at the waist without relieving the stress to the back (as in a full swing).

With this said – also remember – close to 43% of scoring in the golf game occurs on the green (putting) for the average golfer – so we CAN NOT neglect this part of the game.

Recommendations to help alleviate back issues when putting:

Stretch well before you start putting – I see many starts to putt (the first thing they do at the course) and do not stretch properly.
Don’t stand in the same position for a prolonged period or stay bent over, such as when practicing putting. If you can’t relocate, at least shift from one foot to another, or stand up and stretch, or walk around.
Get a putter that fits you. There is recommended lengths – but one that ultimately fits you is one that does not make your back sore. In other words, the recommended length for a short putter for a 6-foot tall individual is 35 inches. But, if a 35-inch putter makes your back sore – get a longer one. These are only recommendations. If you can’t alleviate the pain with a short putter – try a belly putter or long putter. There is minimal bend in the back with a long putter – one of the primary reasons tour players go to belly or long putters – to save their backs.

Recommended lengths:

Short putter: 35 inches – 6-foot tall golfer (1/2 inch difference for every one inch in height, i.e. 5’10” tall – 34-inch putter)

Belly putter: 44 inches – 6-foot tall golfer (1/2 inch difference for every one inch in height, i.e. 5’10” tall – 43 inches)

Long putter: 48 inches – 6-foot tall golfer (1-inch difference for every one inch in height, i.e. 6’2″ tall – 50 inches).

These are ONLY RECOMMENDATIONS – the key is to get a putter that is comfortable for your back and posture.

Good Luck – Let us know if we can help you in any way in fitting your putter or clubs…

We work with most major manufacturers and have accounts with them in which they build clubs to fit your single axis specs.

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