How to un-learn bad habits?

[gcr_russell]

I've made a thread or two in the past about my inconsistent putting. After this last weekend I've decided that, if possible, I need to try and start from scratch here.

Does anyone have any methods of un-learning your current habits in order to start from scratch from a better baseline?

[Chef Fini]

Ok Im not the best teacher (I find it difficult to explain my ideas for some reason) or anything nor am I sure if any of this will help you but im going to give it a try. I ran into the same problem last year. Now putting is probably the best part of my game. What I did was find a putting style that felt comfortable to me and made me feel confident when I putt (a no brainer). It took a while but I just changed one thing at a time. I started with what I do pre-putt.
I.E. size up my my putt while walking to my lie. set my bag down. walk to my lie. place mini. put disc in bag etc.... started to get used to a routine. Then moved to fixing my stance. Then putting motion, release, and finish. I guess what Im trying to say is i really dont think its so much unlearning as replacing old bad habits with new better ones. It took time but I have to say the way I used to putt is nothing like the way i putt now. Change whatever you see fit. One step at a time ya know. Spend time on each step and take it slow. Alot of trial and error involved (obviously haha). Youve probably heard this before but its what helped me. Good Luck!

[Countchunkula]

Mark Ellis has a lot of useful putting tips. The one that helps me the most is to practice making putts. Most of us practice the putts in a range that gives us trouble. This reinforces bad habits. Start out short, and only move back when you are sinking every one. Why practice missing putts? I think this method helps reinforce the way you putt when you are in a groove.

[The Ox]

What type of putting are you practicing right now ?

Try doing the complete opposite.

i.e. Go from pitch putting to turbo putting for a while.

Then, when you want to start over pitch putting, it should feel like something new.

[kyledstauffer]

I agree with both sentiments already expressed. In addition, I think putting is mostly mental. I made a big improvement just recently when I mentally decided to putt "through the basket" instead of trying to just hit the pole. Only way to really replace bad habits is tons and tons of field work. If you don't have a basket, set up a pole or a stick in your back yard and putt forever

[Prafeston]

I'll second what Count said.

Start in short. Consistently make putts from 15-20. Putting has a lot to do with confidence and when you are making putts...even at shorter distances you are building confidence.

I like what Chef had to say too. There are a bunch of putting techniques out there...any one of them can be right...none of them are really wrong. Figure something out that works for you and stick with it. I like to straddle putt up until like 20+ ft out. SO I'll square up both feet to the basket and almost take the disc from between my legs up to level and snap the wrist. Now from 20+ I'm lining up my right foot pointing to the basket and my left back behind it and I'm doing more of a toss than just a flick of the wrist. Practice practice practice. Figure out what feels right for you and what helps you consistently make shots and stick with it.

Also I have a routine now. I judge the distance. Focus on banging chains. Take two fake/practice pumps and throw on the third. I'm mentally preparing myself to always throw on the third. That way I'm not just sitting there and over thinking it forever...or not thinking about it enough and just tossing it. That's just what works for me though.

[Dan Ensor]

Get a small notepad that is always in your bag. If you find out something works well, or you think it's a better way of doing it, write it down; don't try to remember every little thing; also, if you get to spend some time with someone who knows, they'll know where you've been, where you are, how to explain things, etc.

[Dthunderchicken]

Originally Posted by gcr_russell

I've made a thread or two in the past about my inconsistent putting. After this last weekend I've decided that, if possible, I need to try and start from scratch here.

Does anyone have any methods of un-learning your current habits in order to start from scratch from a better baseline?

Hurt yourself and have to lay off for a year. It worked for me. Twice.

Seriously though, I'd take a lay off before you start over.

[bradharris]

There's no such thing as resetting to a totally clean slate. The best thing you can do is practice and identify the things that work and the things that don't. Incorporate what works into your current natural putting motion and work on forcing out the things that don't work.

If that fails, turn around and start putting with your off hand, that's the best clean slate you'll find.

[garublador]

I find it's easier if I try to learn new habits rather than unlearn old ones. If you go in purposely assuming that nothing you were doing before was right and that there's the possibility that everything might feel different it's a lot easier to handle it when something feels off.