What type of putter should you be?

What kind of putter are you? Or... what kind of putter should you be?


Are you frustrated by your putting?  Do you feel that you can make more putts but don't know where to begin?  Would you like to have more confidence over a 6 foot putt but but is that possible when you haven't made a 6 footer in over 3 months?


Indeed what makes a good putter?  Simply put the best putters in the world start by matching their putting styles to their personality.  Determining what kind of personality you are will determine what kind of putter should you be?


Personality Test... For Putting
Are you a Analytical Putter or a Feel Putter?  This question is quite easy to answer.  Analytical putters (roughly 35% of players) are people who: tend to be bound by structure, are very punctual, and prefer a higher degree of order and routine in their daily lives.  These players tend to be more technique and process orientated in their game.  Feel putters (the other 65%) are those who: prefer a more flexible routine, they may have a desk be a bit messier (yet can still be in order).  These players tend to be more creative and feel orientated players.


Once it is determined weather you are a analytical or feel putter it is then time to commit without reservation to the principals of that style.  Making this choice clarifies the seemingly confusing and sometimes contradictory putting principals seen in the golf publications.


Analytical putters should:
   - choose either a mallet or a putter with a straight alignment aid.
   - draw a line on their ball.
   - putt to a straight point beyond the hole and allow gravity to take the ball to the hole.
   - swing the putter with the putter face square to the line (Pelz).
   - practice on drills properly aligning the putter face to a certain point.


Feel putters should:
   - choose a heel weighted putter
   - determine the entry point of the putt by using an image of a clock around the hole.
   - swing the putter with a slight amount of putter face rotation and keeping the putter "on plane" (Utley).
   - practice with drills while looking at the hole.


Most players are stuck somewhere in between the two styles.  Many will even change styles through the course of a season and, worse, even during a round!  The more likely a player is the change the less likely they are to actually make a putt.


If you would like to learn more about the principals of putting please do not hesitate to contact me.
Your friend in golf...
John