It's obviously not gonna be perfectly straight back and straight through scientifically, the body is to the side of the putter, Steve stroke is actually a lot straighter back and through than most, if u were to literally go perfectly straight back and through u would have to have a 90* putter and stand behind the ball, that's why I don't really like how companies talk about straight strokes, slight arcs and strong arcs because the putters always on an arc.
Thanks for posting this. I was surprised when I heard him say that he putts straight back and straight through, and I was never really sure it was true either. Thanks for putting that to rest for me. You seem to know something about steve stricker, do you know how he grips the putter? Do some of the fingers of the right hand overlap the left hand, or the other way around like tiger does.
Totally agree with all points Wayne has made here. There is almost no possible way for a player to put 'straight back and straight through' and be a good putter. The putter face must rotate open on the backswing and move to the inside and then close on the way through and exit the ball left of the target. Tiger's whole theory is exactly right! If you don't believe me, go out and try to take your putter back straight, and keep a square face. U wont be able too, trust me. Reply if you disagree.
@MrLily443 It's impossible to tell from the video if it's straight back and straight through... but the player would know, because all he has to do is look at his putter face at the finish of the backswing, and see if it's still square to the target or closed. IMO, it's impossible to be as consistent a putter as he with a "screen door" putting stroke, because then a slight change in ball position can cause a push or pull.
Wow guys! The impact zone is all that matters, and thru this area SS is "straight thru". The backstroke is irrelevant. And the folks who think a human cannot make a straight stroke need to break a shoulder and spend 10 weeks in physical rehab cranking the huge wheel mounted on the wall -- easy, straight back and thru, no joint-angle changes ever. As they say at "Camp Striker Golf, Baghdad", -- "If you don't know, don't make it up."
@Everythinggolf1 Remember...USA is the world to these guys, they aren't sure that there are other countries let alone know where they are. Luke Donald is best anyways.
the problem starts when an amateur player goes to his home course, stands up in the putting green and try to do what stricker says that he does and that works so amazingly. Given the fact that human beings are pretty much a cylinder with two legs and not a railway it's phisicly imposible to take the club straigh back and through unless you disconnect your arms from your body
wayne, i think you will find that the camera angle is deceiving and it looks like he is taking it back inside. On the follow through it looks like he arcs it left but thats because he knows he missed it on the low side...
He describes what he feels he is doing, it is not exactly straight back and threw, I don't think any high handicap player should take instruction from a tour player. The players on tour have so much natural talent and refined skills they really can't relate to how a high handicapper plays. That's up to the teaching pro.
Great video. I've often been confused by Steve's descriptions of his stroke, claiming to swing straight back and thru. I assume this is why he sets the putter way up on the toe. But he still executes a "on plane" stroke allowing the putter to trace an arc. I'm a huge proponent of the arcing stroke; what people think is opening and closing is actually just always square. When I'm putting really well I feel like I'm making a stricker-like action.
(Cont'd from last comment) . . . I see Billy Mayfair's practice stroke and then his real one. I'm not sure if he's trusting himself, but hey, many putts have dropped for him as well. It just shows that despite the fact that Steve is a great putter, one of the best, it just shows how difficult putting really can be. We should all practice it more. Jerry Kelly does know other golfers' swings well. And he knows what's important when striking the ball. Thanks for your reply Wayne!
Hey Wayne, point well taken, sir. As a slightly below average golfer, I would love to take some lessons. I've had some great golfers give me tips on what to visualize and it's improved my game. And I feel I learn from mirrors and looking at videos of myself and I know what I should be trying to do. But I also fear the paralysis by analysis thing as well. In Steve's case, and with others, they may be feeling. Would has stroke be different with a straight in putt? (CONT'd)
I don't quite know what to say Wayne. $25,305,020 later, it seems to still be working. I'm sure you're a great instructor, and you do have a nice website . . . somehow Steve's able to get it done with his human flaws. To me, the camera angle wasn't quite squared up . . . would that have anything to do with the analysis? All the best, Rory
the point was to highlight the odd fact that Steve describes his stroke as something that it really isn't. I find this fascinating. He is obviously a great putter. If you listen again to the video you won't find anything that would suggest that he doesn't have a great stroke, just that he describes it as "straight back and through", which it's not. Golfers need to be aware that oftentimes great players mischaracterize what they are really doing when they describe what they feel.
It's obviously not gonna be perfectly straight back and straight through scientifically, the body is to the side of the putter, Steve stroke is actually a lot straighter back and through than most, if u were to literally go perfectly straight back and through u would have to have a 90* putter and stand behind the ball, that's why I don't really like how companies talk about straight strokes, slight arcs and strong arcs because the putters always on an arc.
mcgroogtube 4 days ago
Thanks for posting this. I was surprised when I heard him say that he putts straight back and straight through, and I was never really sure it was true either. Thanks for putting that to rest for me. You seem to know something about steve stricker, do you know how he grips the putter? Do some of the fingers of the right hand overlap the left hand, or the other way around like tiger does.
kellj99 7 months ago
Totally agree with all points Wayne has made here. There is almost no possible way for a player to put 'straight back and straight through' and be a good putter. The putter face must rotate open on the backswing and move to the inside and then close on the way through and exit the ball left of the target. Tiger's whole theory is exactly right! If you don't believe me, go out and try to take your putter back straight, and keep a square face. U wont be able too, trust me. Reply if you disagree.
MrLily443 8 months ago
@MrLily443 It's impossible to tell from the video if it's straight back and straight through... but the player would know, because all he has to do is look at his putter face at the finish of the backswing, and see if it's still square to the target or closed. IMO, it's impossible to be as consistent a putter as he with a "screen door" putting stroke, because then a slight change in ball position can cause a push or pull.
stevetdent 2 weeks ago
Wow guys! The impact zone is all that matters, and thru this area SS is "straight thru". The backstroke is irrelevant. And the folks who think a human cannot make a straight stroke need to break a shoulder and spend 10 weeks in physical rehab cranking the huge wheel mounted on the wall -- easy, straight back and thru, no joint-angle changes ever. As they say at "Camp Striker Golf, Baghdad", -- "If you don't know, don't make it up."
geoffmangum 10 months ago
What do you mean best putter on the planet oh I see cause he's on the PGA tour, so it doesn't count about pros on the European tour then ???
Everythinggolf1 10 months ago
@Everythinggolf1 Remember...USA is the world to these guys, they aren't sure that there are other countries let alone know where they are. Luke Donald is best anyways.
Stanters1967 7 months ago
the problem starts when an amateur player goes to his home course, stands up in the putting green and try to do what stricker says that he does and that works so amazingly. Given the fact that human beings are pretty much a cylinder with two legs and not a railway it's phisicly imposible to take the club straigh back and through unless you disconnect your arms from your body
danic18 1 year ago
@danic18 good observation
wdefrancesco 1 year ago
wayne, i think you will find that the camera angle is deceiving and it looks like he is taking it back inside. On the follow through it looks like he arcs it left but thats because he knows he missed it on the low side...
duckmannswis 1 year ago
He describes what he feels he is doing, it is not exactly straight back and threw, I don't think any high handicap player should take instruction from a tour player. The players on tour have so much natural talent and refined skills they really can't relate to how a high handicapper plays. That's up to the teaching pro.
LBKJK4 1 year ago
Great video. I've often been confused by Steve's descriptions of his stroke, claiming to swing straight back and thru. I assume this is why he sets the putter way up on the toe. But he still executes a "on plane" stroke allowing the putter to trace an arc. I'm a huge proponent of the arcing stroke; what people think is opening and closing is actually just always square. When I'm putting really well I feel like I'm making a stricker-like action.
kingly71 1 year ago
(Cont'd from last comment) . . . I see Billy Mayfair's practice stroke and then his real one. I'm not sure if he's trusting himself, but hey, many putts have dropped for him as well. It just shows that despite the fact that Steve is a great putter, one of the best, it just shows how difficult putting really can be. We should all practice it more. Jerry Kelly does know other golfers' swings well. And he knows what's important when striking the ball. Thanks for your reply Wayne!
rorbud01 2 years ago
Hey Wayne, point well taken, sir. As a slightly below average golfer, I would love to take some lessons. I've had some great golfers give me tips on what to visualize and it's improved my game. And I feel I learn from mirrors and looking at videos of myself and I know what I should be trying to do. But I also fear the paralysis by analysis thing as well. In Steve's case, and with others, they may be feeling. Would has stroke be different with a straight in putt? (CONT'd)
rorbud01 2 years ago
I don't quite know what to say Wayne. $25,305,020 later, it seems to still be working. I'm sure you're a great instructor, and you do have a nice website . . . somehow Steve's able to get it done with his human flaws. To me, the camera angle wasn't quite squared up . . . would that have anything to do with the analysis? All the best, Rory
rorbud01 2 years ago
the point was to highlight the odd fact that Steve describes his stroke as something that it really isn't. I find this fascinating. He is obviously a great putter. If you listen again to the video you won't find anything that would suggest that he doesn't have a great stroke, just that he describes it as "straight back and through", which it's not. Golfers need to be aware that oftentimes great players mischaracterize what they are really doing when they describe what they feel.
wdefrancesco 2 years ago