Putting focus points

[slowRoll]

I want to hear if some of our better putters relate to what I'm about to say, and as always, I want to help out those of you that may be struggling with "finishing the hole". For me, putting has always been the easy part. The teebox is where things get sketchy. I joke sometimes that in doubles, I have my partner handle the first 90% of the hole and I'll handle the last 10% of it.

So what do we know about putting that we can all agree on?

1.) Its bad to just stare at the target as a whole. Aim big = miss big. You need to aim small, so that if you do miss, you miss small. I think this one is really just about making yourself focus on what is in front of you. If you focus in, you won't even see that dog running by or hear somebody's phone going off.
2.) Routines are good. It doesn't matter if you rock back and forth, get perfectly still, or scratch your ear. If you find a good routine, stick with it and develop that consistent rhythm.
3.) Balance is everything. If you can't control yourself, you can't control the disc. Always do your very best to get good footing and achieve a strong athletic position to putt from.
4.) Let the last one go. You missed, get over it. We all miss. Don't be an idiot. Don't yell; kick your bag, or any other form of getting "Frumpy" TM. It's done, move on. Dwelling on that miss will cause you to miss the next one. Let it go.
5.) Its just golf. Don't press. The reason why they say some guys have ice water in their veins is because they putt for the win, just like they putted #38 out of 50 in warm-ups. It doesn't matter what is riding on it. You have to trust your technique and execute exactly like you practiced. Trying too hard, or trying to do too much will make you miss.

I'm sure there are dozens more, but most of us can agree on these.

Today I wanted to ask if any of you think that sometimes we go too far with our focus. I have found that if I stare too long at the target before I putt, I will miss. The last year or so I have also gone from aiming at a single link.

to just using the lower middle section of the pole as a target.


My single link was always just right of center because I spin putt with Wizards. I've had more success by doing what Ken Climo told us at his putting clinic recently. By just aiming at the pole, I am having less spit outs and left/right misses and my confidence is soaring. By just using the lower middle section of the pole I am also missing high less thus reducing blow-bys. Aiming at a bigger target seems counter-intuitive to the aim small = miss small that we've heard preached for years, but for me, the proof is in the pudding. What do you think? Do we try to make things too hard by overthinking them? Where is your focus target area at when you are putting? And if you did make an adjustment from point A to point B like I have, how has it worked out for you?

[ZBoazMobster]

Originally Posted by slowRoll

I want to hear if some of our better putters

Breaking this rule. I'm not better than you.

1.) Its bad to just stare at the target as a whole.

Probably one of my mistakes these days.

2.) Routines are good.

I like mine. I ALWAYS have a putter in hand, and in off hand.

3.) Balance is everything.

Isn't it a rule too? Either way, I can balace pretty well. I do it at work, with life on the line.

4.) Let the last one go.

Harder than it sounds, yet neccessary to focus on the next throw.

5.) Its just golf.

Golf and Dollars. Mostly we have dollars on the game. probably not helping me. Always interesting tho. BTW I won yesterday.

The last year or so I have also gone from aiming at a single link.

Never worked for me.

to just using the lower middle section of the pole as a target.

Here we go. I like this. I actually have neglected using a focal point lately due to other changes getting in the way (new putters, new release point). I do know I have had success focusing on the back of the basket.

Thanks for walking me thru the basics again. Refreshing is always good. With luck you've improved my putting for todays dollar game.

[Apoth]

I find the single link focus to be helpful for my game. I adjust my exact target link based on distance from the basket and wind conditions. This allows me to dial in enough power for each shot without having to concentrate on exactly how hard I'm throwing. If I am for a low link, my body just naturally dials off the power. If I am for a high link, my body ratchets it up.

[BarkBuster]

I aim at the pole .. I choose how high/low to aim by my elevation.

[Technohic]

You know, it is an interesting thought because focusing on the single link has never really worked for me either. My best results lately have been from me putting with authority rather than just throwing to the basket, but I really want to rework my putting style and nail down a set routine motion I use every time. Between this and the thread with all the different forms; I have a lot to work with.

[slowRoll]

Originally Posted by Technohic

...My best results lately have been from me putting with authority rather than just throwing to the basket...

I didn't even consider that; But now that you mention it, maybe aiming at the pole is helping me to "throw through it, not to it" too. The links are closer, so maybe aiming for the pole will help me crash in there more consistently instead of coming up short on longer putts.

[NateDiscFlip]

I focus on the link that is to the right and down about 2-3 inches from the link in your pic. People have to find which grip they like to put with, but having the nose of the disc slightly up seems to get the disc to the basket without dive bombing to the ground. The last thing is to just keep a clear mind, see the shot, and MY FAVORITE...focus on the chain link throughout the motion of the putt.

The more and more I putt using this method, it seems the only times I am missing for shots within 20 feet is that i took my eye off the link during the putt. Like you said, not a big miss, but a miss indeed.

[ManU]

I aim for a link low right
but I always seem to miss left
it's broken confidence and broken technique
confidence: I think I am scared to miss right and blow by so unconsciously hit the left side so that I hit chains, chain out and drop in (with the odd one going in)
technique: instead of pulling my arm up through the pole I actually pull it up off centre left, or I try too hard and push my right shoulder forward which also takes me left of the intended line

what really really really bothers me is that I know where I break down and just can't seem to get it fixed

[bubbadreier]

Aiming for a link hasn't been working for me either, I am going to try aiming for the pole! Thanks for the tip!

[The Hammer]

Originally Posted by ManU

I aim for a link low right
but I always seem to miss left
it's broken confidence and broken technique
confidence: I think I am scared to miss right and blow by so unconsciously hit the left side so that I hit chains, chain out and drop in (with the odd one going in)
technique: instead of pulling my arm up through the pole I actually pull it up off centre left, or I try too hard and push my right shoulder forward which also takes me left of the intended line

what really really really bothers me is that I know where I break down and just can't seem to get it fixed

A bit of advice that I recieved some time ago may help you, it has helped my immensly. Dont' try to adjust your point of aim, your release point, or your putting motion. Instead, adjust the point in which you start your putting motion. If you find yourself missing left, adjust the starting point of the disc slightly to the left, but maintain the same release and aim point. For instance, if you normally start your swing at your belly-button, adjust by starting the putt just left of that. Does that make sense?