Reading the 2009 Goals made me think about putting. I hate to 3 putt! I always had a problem with speed, and a couple of years ago I saw a show on TGC with Jack Nicklaus, and he/they were talking about his putting performance and method. I watched eagerly and really liked what I heard and saw. It made complete sense to me.

Next time we played after I had practiced and practiced in my den, I was telling my partner about my new discovery and I had about a 25 footer. I stepped up and rolled that thing right in! I use his slight open stance, with the ball lined up on my right heel(I am right-handed), with my eyes over the ball. I mostly use the right hand in putting. My right elbow is usually touching my right side in the set up position. My motion is made by the rocking of my shoulders. My putter is 32" long with the Ping double finger grip(there version of an over sized grip).

I have my days, where "the Putter" shows up and the days when it does not, but using this method has improved my putting.

With the Hammy I use, the preferred stance is open close to 45*. Gets both eyes looking at the cup. But I noticed that Gulbis, who uses that putter, is almost square.

I like that with the slight open stance, lets you see the cup a little better. I usually take my 2 practice swings only looking at the cup.

I usually take a practice swing from behind then another parallel.

Mostly a square stance, using my shoulders to swing as you stated. I have been using the Rife 2-Bar putter for several years now and it has made a difference. The thing "I" need to watch out for is "Getting Quick",,,,,, I can do that very easily,,,,,

I putt with a square and fairly upright stance and on a slight arc swing. I use a Scotty Newport 2, and have for 2-3 years now.

What changed my putting DRASTICALLY, was having my putter fitted to me.

I missed too many "easy" ones, and that hurt my score. Tried everything, like most do, change putters, change stroke, grip, you name it. Once I found the Scotty, I really liked the look, the weight, and the like, but my putting average stayed about the same...not so good!!

One day about a year and a half ago I walked into my golf shop and saw posters about them obtaining the same putter fitting equipment as the trailers on Tour, and two of the employees had been sent for training. I got to thinking (an unusual thing for me LOL)...hey, I get my driver and other clubs fitted, why not the putter? It was advertised at $20, so at least worth a try. Heck, I'd tried everything else, including practice!!! LOL

When the equipment arrived, I was one of the first to give it a try. It was pretty enlightening. The key, of course is to make the putter fit you and your style, not adjust a style to a putter you like. I never realized it, but I putt with my hands behind the ball. I was also manipulating the putter (and my grip and stance somewhat) to get my eyes over or slightly inside the line and for the putter to sit flat. As a result, my putter was lengthened 3/4 of an inch to accommodate the upright stance and place my eyes over the ball almost automatically. Then, because of the hands behind the ball issue, the loft was flattened from the standard 4* to 1*, putting the right amount of loft back on at impact. And, due to the upright stance and angle of the shaft due to that, the lie also needed to be adjusted from the 71* to 59* so that the putter sits flat easily when I take my normal stance.

As a result of that fitting, and changing absolutely nothing else, I went from averaging just over 34 putts a round to just over 29. For a painless 30 minutes, and INSTANT results, MORE than worth the 20 bucks!! I certainly recommend it for anyone wishing to improve their putting stats.

Once I owned up to my buddies as to how I had improved so much, several others did it, also with good results.

Great post GA !!! I also went through this at my golf store for the same price. Now,,,, you have me wondering if the guys who did mine knew what degree to set the putter. I see where you stated they changed yours from 71* to 59*. IMO, after thinking on that, it would make a lot of sense for the stance, and how you describe how you set up. The guy who did mine went from 70* to 72*. That has me wondering now if that could be the reason that when I miss a easy putt its always on the left hand side. They did cut mine down from 34"'s to 33.75"'s, that did help. Could be if my putter was sitting in a more flat position this could help.

Any thoughts,,,, ????

Good Question Cobra! The easy answer (in my humble opinion) is yes, of course it makes a difference, just as it makes a difference with your irons. More upright promotes a right-to-left flight, and vice versa. Putting is just a mini swing.

Don't know what putter you use, but go to a flat surface (kitchen floor usually works great) take your normal stance and feel/see if the putter is lying flat without manipulation! My Scotty actually has a flat section on the bottom middle and can be easily felt.

If it does not "naturally" sit flat, as designed, I'd suggest you check out the lie with your fitter. My "easy" misses were also to the left until the fitting. Of course, I still don't make 'em all, but the ball certainly rolls on the line I pick now.

I have used the Rife 2-Bar for several years now,, !!! I will try what you have suggested, when I saw your first post it really rang a bell as to why so big a difference on your putter and the guys didn't come no where close to that on mine !!!!!

If that's the case, I now have a tool I can do that with and change it,,, !!!

Thanks for the input !!!!!!

GA,,,, Just tested it. The putter was "Not" flat for my stance. Guess I couldn't tell this on the carpet but the kitchen floor worked out well !!!!!

Cool! When you change the lie, be sure not to change the loft!!

You're welcome...Hope it helps.