Hi Paul. So are you trying to estimate roughly where to land the ball so that it starts to slow down at the hole. A local pro had me
put with my eyes closed trying to imagine the ball traveling about 3/4 of the way and then slow down for that last 25% of the length…on uphill puts…different on downhill putts…maybe 50-50%…but it all had to do with putting a certain distance and then gradually slow down the rest of the way. It was quite surprising how well I did with my eyes closed.
Don’t overanalyze it. It’s a throwing motion that is hard enough to get the ball to the hole. You are not even thinking about where you are landing it. Your mind can calculate this in a milli-second. Look at the target and throw the ball. Then remember this feeling and apply it to your putts.
By the way,I love checking for a new tip right before going to sleep at night. I know it’s early for you out in Nevada, but it’s great seeing a tip at 11pm EST. So of completes my day..Thanks again..DB
Excellent tip ,Paul,it reminds you THE right hand is THE “engine “and THE left hand THE “steering wheel “.for me THE “touch”is in THE right hand and iI try to keep THE back of THE left hand low in THE direction of THE hole (or Whatever I am aiming at ).As some other membres of IGNITION GOLF suggest .putting eyes closed or left eye closed does oblige you to concentrate on feel.That’s why I keep my wrists loose to get that feel .
I am left handed playing golf right handed. I think this tip is very good because I tried it using my right hand for the throwing motion with good results!
Give it a try. I have never putted with my eyes closed. It’s all about practice. Spend hours putting using my technique and you will great. Start searching for the answer and trying all sorts of things and you will be mediocre at best.
When I practice “throwing” the ball, I’m aware that I use my wrist some in the throwing motion. When I putt, I try to keep my wrists locked (except for long putts), and use my shoulders to create the arc motion. Should we allow for wrist movement or not?
There is minimal wrist action when putting. Just get the “feeling” of throwing and don’t overanalyse it. If you feel like you are throwing you are doing what I want you to do.
When I practice with my right hand throwing toward the hole, I find myself looking at the putter blade too. I know my putter head is square to the hole, but I don’t seem to hit the ball into the hole. Question: How do I take my focus off my right hand?
I’m very happy with your instruction and hope to improve my golf even at 68 years old.
Paul, when I putt I find my line and use the logo or lettering to use as line to line up the putt, than just make a good stroke and just worry about distance control. This technique makes sense because when you throw something to a target your not really thinking anything, your body just does it. You don’t think how far back to swing your arm etc. (I think I am answering my own question as I write this) so would it be better to not use line and just look and think of throwing the ball to the hole. Take all the thoughts of keeping putter square, how hard to hit it etc, and just stand up and “throw” it to the hole. Or still use the line and use the throwing motion for distance
I line up the logo too. Once I feel set I then start to think of the right palm and throwing it. As you said, if you do a throwing motion you are not even thinking about how to do it. Just give this a try and see how it compares to what you are doing. So many people get hung up on the stroke. If they don’t do it perfectly they are a nervous wreck. Clear your mind and just let it happen. This tip might help:
As the hands are inside the ball to target line, shouldn’t the hands be “thrown” parallel left of the target; it seems to me that moving the hands towards the target will always make the ball roll to the right of the target?
Your hands are only a few inches inside the putter head. I throw to the target. If you want to throw 3-4 inches left then try it and see if it works. I bet it won’t.
Hi Paul, I think throwing the ball to the hole takes a lot of the technical issues out of the swing which is great! When I actually throw the ball to the hole I use some wrist. Is it acceptable to use the wrists while actually making the putt? Thanks!
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21 Responses to “Why Throw the Ball To the Target When Putting?”
July 10, 2013
DannyBenjaminHi Paul. So are you trying to estimate roughly where to land the ball so that it starts to slow down at the hole. A local pro had me
put with my eyes closed trying to imagine the ball traveling about 3/4 of the way and then slow down for that last 25% of the length…on uphill puts…different on downhill putts…maybe 50-50%…but it all had to do with putting a certain distance and then gradually slow down the rest of the way. It was quite surprising how well I did with my eyes closed.
Danny
July 11, 2013
Paul WilsonDanny,
Don’t overanalyze it. It’s a throwing motion that is hard enough to get the ball to the hole. You are not even thinking about where you are landing it. Your mind can calculate this in a milli-second. Look at the target and throw the ball. Then remember this feeling and apply it to your putts.
Watch:
The Secret to Great Putting: https://ignitiongolf.com/putting-stroke
July 10, 2013
DannyBenjaminBy the way,I love checking for a new tip right before going to sleep at night. I know it’s early for you out in Nevada, but it’s great seeing a tip at 11pm EST. So of completes my day..Thanks again..DB
July 11, 2013
Paul WilsonDanny,
Don’t stay up too late. You need your rest to work on your swing.
July 10, 2013
RaymondCHASTELExcellent tip ,Paul,it reminds you THE right hand is THE “engine “and THE left hand THE “steering wheel “.for me THE “touch”is in THE right hand and iI try to keep THE back of THE left hand low in THE direction of THE hole (or Whatever I am aiming at ).As some other membres of IGNITION GOLF suggest .putting eyes closed or left eye closed does oblige you to concentrate on feel.That’s why I keep my wrists loose to get that feel .
July 11, 2013
Paul WilsonRaymond,
Glad you liked it.
IF you are right handed you certainly do get the touch in the right hand. You can try putting with your eyes closed. I have never done this.
July 10, 2013
WesleyBergmanI am left handed playing golf right handed. I think this tip is very good because I tried it using my right hand for the throwing motion with good results!
July 11, 2013
Paul WilsonWesley,
That’s great that you liked it. It’s quite simple. If it gives you a good feel please keep doing it.
July 10, 2013
LANCEPutting with the left eye closed, huh? I may have to try that.
July 11, 2013
Paul WilsonLance,
Give it a try. I have never putted with my eyes closed. It’s all about practice. Spend hours putting using my technique and you will great. Start searching for the answer and trying all sorts of things and you will be mediocre at best.
July 15, 2013
RichardGentryHi Paul,
When I practice “throwing” the ball, I’m aware that I use my wrist some in the throwing motion. When I putt, I try to keep my wrists locked (except for long putts), and use my shoulders to create the arc motion. Should we allow for wrist movement or not?
Thanks,
July 16, 2013
Paul WilsonRichard,
There is minimal wrist action when putting. Just get the “feeling” of throwing and don’t overanalyse it. If you feel like you are throwing you are doing what I want you to do.
March 26, 2016
Stanley TBennerWhen I practice with my right hand throwing toward the hole, I find myself looking at the putter blade too. I know my putter head is square to the hole, but I don’t seem to hit the ball into the hole. Question: How do I take my focus off my right hand?
I’m very happy with your instruction and hope to improve my golf even at 68 years old.
Stan
March 27, 2016
Paul WilsonStan,
Why would you want to take you mind off of your right hand. This is my whole technique.
Not sure you are explain this right.
Follow these tips:
The Secret to Great Putting: https://ignitiongolf.com/putting-stroke/
How to Feel the Throwing Motion: https://ignitiongolf.com/putting-feel-throwing-motion/
Why Throw the Ball To the Target When Putting?: https://ignitiongolf.com/throw-ball-to-target/
October 4, 2017
GaryPetersonDoes the grip change if your are using an oversized grip on your putter?
October 4, 2017
Paul WilsonGary,
No. I find a wider putter grip even better for getting the thumbs down the flat surface. I am using a Super Stroke Pistol and love it.
March 24, 2018
RandyRusinPaul, when I putt I find my line and use the logo or lettering to use as line to line up the putt, than just make a good stroke and just worry about distance control. This technique makes sense because when you throw something to a target your not really thinking anything, your body just does it. You don’t think how far back to swing your arm etc. (I think I am answering my own question as I write this) so would it be better to not use line and just look and think of throwing the ball to the hole. Take all the thoughts of keeping putter square, how hard to hit it etc, and just stand up and “throw” it to the hole. Or still use the line and use the throwing motion for distance
March 25, 2018
Paul WilsonRandy,
I line up the logo too. Once I feel set I then start to think of the right palm and throwing it. As you said, if you do a throwing motion you are not even thinking about how to do it. Just give this a try and see how it compares to what you are doing. So many people get hung up on the stroke. If they don’t do it perfectly they are a nervous wreck. Clear your mind and just let it happen. This tip might help:
Putting – Wiggle Drill: https://ignitiongolf.com/putting-wiggle-drill/
October 26, 2019
GordonStoreyHi Paul
As the hands are inside the ball to target line, shouldn’t the hands be “thrown” parallel left of the target; it seems to me that moving the hands towards the target will always make the ball roll to the right of the target?
November 2, 2019
Paul WilsonGordon,
Your hands are only a few inches inside the putter head. I throw to the target. If you want to throw 3-4 inches left then try it and see if it works. I bet it won’t.
July 29, 2022
RobertFehrenkampHi Paul, I think throwing the ball to the hole takes a lot of the technical issues out of the swing which is great! When I actually throw the ball to the hole I use some wrist. Is it acceptable to use the wrists while actually making the putt? Thanks!