Most changes with your putting stroke will be subtle; something we talked about in Lesson No. 38. Because putting is so valuable and important to the game, I have been changing my methods weekly or monthly for over a year. Alternatively, Vijay was heard to say, "You guys keep changing your swing. I've been working to perfect the same swing for ten years." We know he has changed his putter from time to time, so he obviously works to improve his putting. They say he putts to a little wooden tee on the practice green much of the time. A very good idea.
Today I had a fascinating round and because I parred the first hole, I kept my score. Yesterday brought on the results of today's round. Yesterday I abandoned my putting style because it simply was unreliable. Very simply, I focused or concentrated on the unity of my hands and knuckles rather than a fingers guide to the cup. I also was certain to have a vertical concept in my addressing the putt. The putts, yesterday, began to improve. Today I remembered what I learned yesterday.
The results in todays round were impressive. Thirteen putts (9 holes) is a remarkably good number. Three putts of more than fifteen feet is noteworthy. The 30 footer on No. 9 for bogie was very good. Actually there was only one bad putt. On No. 5 (a par 4) I hit out from under a tree to the front apron and chipped to four feet. The putt was slightly down hill and bending left. I missed. I replaced the ball (practice round) and missed again. I then missed again and again from 4 ft. I then remembered my advice to others and ran the bending putt into the cup with a moderately firm stroke through the break. I took the earlier tap in for bogie.
Stats are fascinating. I had four putts on the first four holes and was one under par. It speaks well of my short game on this particular day.........chipping and putting. Not well for my irons but I was one under after four with only one greenie (my birdie hole).
I finished at three over par because I miss hit several chips shots. The putting saved my score since three over is respectable; particularly with the 30 footer on No. 9.
Other stats included four of seven fairways hit; mabe five if the first cut is a fairway and the shot is open to the green, as I keep my stats. If I'm on the fringe of the green and the pin is close-that is a greenie because it is close, makeable and puttable. My two greenies were legitimate greenies.
Two greenies and a 39 makes for interesting statistics. My new putting technique seemed to carry over when I went to the practice green after my round. I always like to practice my fifty footers because I need that putt. I was not perfect but near perfect. Most were close and therefore my new technique seemd to work with the very long putts. I had to be sure.
Now, with a little more work I should have more greenies which I had in the fall of last year. I like my swing changes as they seemed to give me my two greenies, properly hit. We'll see what tomorrow brings and be happy with the stats for today.
Richard Englefield
No comments:
Post a Comment