Short put with break

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By Andy

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  • 11 Replies
  1. Lately I find myself struggling with short putts (5-7 ft) that have quite a lot of break in it. I have a hard time of deciding whether to go hard and straight or slow with more break. Many times I am end up doing something in between and missing the put. How do you handle these putts?

  2. I putt by feel. For most short putts that are straight in, I don’t even take a practice swing. I use my eyes to line up the putt and hit. For ones with a lot of break, I try to get the right tempo with my swing, again relying on feel to get the correct break.
    Also, on downhill putts, I am now hitting the putt just slightly off centre towards the toe to help with the speed.
  3. Andy, I think so much of this type putt is feel. If it is an uphill hard break I will tend to hit more firm. If it is a downhill hard break putt I will pick out a spot 6 inches in front of my ball and make sure I have a short smooth back stroke. Then let gravity take over. I hate hitting a downhiller too firm and having a three or four footer coming back. This is the strategy I use. Hope it helps or leads you to a path for your end result!
  4. Jerry M

    Jerry M
    Dallas, TX

    I seem to recall when Tiger was putting lights out and he had a short putt with some break, the announcers would say after he made the putt "he just took the break out of it". If anything you have to remain committed to whatever decision you make.
    On the tour, a lot of times in the fairway or on the tee when a microphone is close by you will hear both the caddy and the pro agree on a certain shot or club to hit. Both of them are in total agreement. There is no hesitation or doubt.
  5. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    I tend to go firm at the uphill breakers and play for more break on the downhill ones.
  6. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    Andy, these are the hardest for everyone. My suggestion would be to do what you can to avoid them altogether. Make sure your approach shots miss in places that will allow the easiest putts. Also make sure your first putt also finishes in a spot that gives you the best second putt. Not every hole calls for aggressive play. Good luck!
  7. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    I play a dying putt and have good success with it. I am a plumb bobber and it definitely helps get a good line and decreases the number of putting strokes in my round. I have learned to trust my putting style, which is an open stance, similar to Jack Nicklaus, because I can see down my line and line up the ball on my intended target better. Am not an aggressive putter and it seems to work best for me. Trust in the stroke and practicing from numerous distances and angles prior to playing helps.
  8. Seth R

    Seth R
    Olathe, KS

    Stay committed to what your eyes see and your gut is telling you. Don't second guess it. Hesitation will miss more putts than it will make.
  9. At first I'm struggling of the way I grip. But having confidence on it can also make a difference. You can make it.
  10. Dwayne N

    Dwayne N
    Island, KY

    My biggest problem putting is alignment. I seem to always set up about 1 inch to far right and can't for the life of me figure out how to correct it
  11. Deno

    Deno
    New Jersey

    Military
    I pretty much take alot of the break out by a firm stroke on shorter putts. Slippery down hillers are learning to trust you read and let 'er roll. Hours of putting green practice builds confidence.
  12. Mike M

    Mike M
    Marblehead MA

    Deno has a good point regarding practice building confidence; it truly does, but it takes time.I think commitment and trust are crucial; commit to your line and trust your stroke.

    Also, if you are playing match play, hitting it firm with less break makes a lot of sense. Medal play is a different animal. You have to allow more break and be less firm in medal play, generally speaking.

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