If It Doesn't Get There, It Can't Go In

-

What makes a great putter? 

I'm not sure I know. 

I consider Larry to be a great putter. Why? He seems to make the putts when they count.  When I am caddying for him and I help him read the line, he seems to make them every time.  I've even called him off a putt because I saw, felt something different right before he pulled the trigger.  That's a great team, or maybe even a better putter. Or maybe he had it the whole time and I just feel good about my caddying skills. 

I've been searching for a perfect putting stroke for 37 years now.  My grandfather always said I wasn't a good putter. And as much as I don't want to BELIEVE it, it sticks. At least for right now.  Just like he used to nervously play with the tees in his pocket while he waited for me to hit a shot.

I don't change putters very often, but Larry does on almost what feels like a weekly basis.  He switches to whatever he is trying to feel. No face balance if he really wants to feel the toe hang. Center-shafted or faced-balanced if he was playing too much arc. Belly putter if he feels he is moving off center. He uses the line on his ball when he feels like his eyeballs are crooked. And no line when he is just feeling the speed.

I probably own 5 putters. Larry 20. And one of them is MY Callaway putter that he "borrowed" 5 years ago.  

I feel putts with my feet. Just like Mike "18 putts" McGee.  Maybe I should try foot golf? Or maybe I should just try to trust my feet and stop overthinking what my hands are doing?

I've read lots of books. I've tried lots of drills. And I have lots of hope that I will figure this out for myself. 



Great putting is felt and sensed and allowing that to happen is a huge gift. Kinda like that 3-foot, right to lefter I made in 2001 in the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Women's Met to move on to the Finals and claim my second women's championship. What a gift!

Many Birdies,

Melissa

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why Golf?

-
Image
Since I returned from the Northwest Women's Open in June, I have been asking a lot of golfers why they play the game. I do get my fair share of "I don't know" but every now and then I do get a meaningful response from the souls who are willing to slow down and consider the question. But then yesterday, the question was asked back to me and it has taken me 12 hours to generate a few ideas as to why I chose and continue to choose golf. However, one thought continues to stand out; golf has been my ROCK . It is my CONSTANT . Golf being constant is ironic to me as the game itself is ever-changing. So how could it provide stability for me?  I was handed a golf club when I was five.  Or was I really handed a FUTURE or an ornate gift ? Or was it Pandora's Box ? Golf has outlived my childhood, teenage years, boyfriends, and jobs. It has survived college, pregnancies, herniated discs, and lost loved ones. It has traveled the world with me and continues to stay by my side...
Read more

2nd Annual Tri County Junior Open

-
Image
  2nd Annual Tri County Junior Open Junior golf… why is it important? The PGA of America’s number one reason is to develop life-long benefits. What does that entail? It gives them a chance to see what makes this game great, from etiquette to how much fun one could have. It’s also chance to get out and find other kids who share an interest in this sport. Golf, as we all know, is social as much as it is competitive. Some have said, though, it can be difficult to find something for their child to get involved in. That’s why the Tri-County Junior Open exists. It’s a chance for the kids, of ages 10-17, to experience what a tournament style atmosphere is like, but reminding them to still have fun and take it all in. The number one priority, as we’ve mentioned, is to get out and play. We want the kids to come out, enjoy this great game, compete, and see what it’s like to start taking golf seriously. How does this open stand out from others? A huge aspect of this is having a USGA ru...
Read more

Know Your Worth, Pumpkin!

-
Image
I have pumpkins showing up everywhere in my world.  The first started growing behind the golf shop in the weeds where I dump spent pumpkins every November.  Then I noticed one growing next to my driveway at home. Strange place, but I've learned that strange things happen in my world. And then yesterday, I noticed one growing at the end of the driving range. I really have no idea how that one got there.  However, when an animal or autumnal fruit or aberration shows up, I tend to research the meaning of this sign in my life. Why is this symbol or sign showing up for me right now? The first internet search of pumpkins shared the following: "Pumpkin is one of the more resilient fruits, finding ways to grow large and bulging amongst sparse soil and sharing nutrients along a connected vine that reaches into the ground to replenish itself. Perhaps for this reason pumpkins have become symbols of prosperity, growth, and abundance." It seems that the pumpkin perfectly describes my ...
Read more