Golf Swing Lessons, Tips & Instruction - Putting Speed

[AaronWyatt100]

really cool video, I thought it was great

[jaacobbowden]

I do agree that one needs to do whatever gets the ball in the hole...but I think this 17" speed is an average and I would never use it as an absolute or tell anyone they need to always try to roll it 17" past. Depending on the hole, the conditions, and how you are feeling and putting...there are times when different speeds are more appropriate. In general, the pros that I've played with tournament to tournament that putt consistently the best don't try to putt this far past the hole.

[danee6281]

the research pelz did proved that rolling the ball 17 inches past the hole was the optimal speed because it gave the putt the best chance to go in. By both holding its line the best and by utilizing the entire cup. I disagree with this guy also, but it doesn't matter how the ball gets in the hole, just that it gets in, so just do whatever you feel best with.

[jaacobbowden]

@danee6281 - Take a look at my comment below...Pelz research actually determined the optimal speed ranged from 5-40". ;-)

[danee6281]

@jaacobbowden- take a look at your own comment. Now look closely at the date of the article were Pelz made the 5-40" claim. Now find a calender and look at today's date. After Pelz did more research with better technology, he came to a different conclusion. Like I said earlier though, just do whatever you feel will get the ball in the hole the most often. Science may tell us what is best, but it will not do what is best for you and it will not instill more confidence in yourself.

[ncverdict]

Everyone's welcome to take whatever approach they think will make more putts but I desagree. 17" wasn't Dave Pelz's opinion, it was the conclusive scientific data that he discovered by his team rolling millions of golf balls across thousands of greens. The inner ring of the lumpy donut is like an inverse crater surrounding the whole out to about 2 feet. The 17 inches past is the speed with the highest probability to have your putt hold it's line and go in without drifting off target at the end.

[jaacobbowden]

I'm not sure why Pelz talks about 17" these days...maybe it's an average?  The optimal go-by speeds depend on the grass type and conditions. His own research showed that this was anywhere from 5-40" in his 1977 Golf Digest article on p 52-55.

[KSanford33]

I think this is a great idea Jaacob, but how does the lumpy doughnut phenomenon affect this slower putting speed?

[jaacobbowden]

Hmmm, I suppose it would depend on the condition of the green. If it's a softer green & towards the end of the day where the footprints make a noticeable lumpy doughnut, it could make sense to hit it a bit more firm. Although, if you missed, the come-backer would be more difficult because you would have to deal with the lumpy doughnut again.

[jaacobbowden]

In general, I've found I get a lot more of my putts drop with the slower speed. Although, I try to putt instinctively...and sometimes that means hitting it a bit more firm on shorter putts where I'm uncertain of the break or am nervous and I feel better about trying to ram it in rather than use more of the hole width-wise.

[sagalakalavalavan]

The 17" stuff...

[jaacobbowden]

Yeah, I agree. In my opinion, it's too fast of a putting speed. You have to be more precise with your putting line and if you hit it a bit too long, it can leave a real "tester" coming back to the hole. In general, I prefer the speed where the ball is rolling slow enough to fall all the way in the bottom back of the hole. The hole essentially becomes bigger that way...plus the misses are more like tap-ins. :-)

[sagalakalavalavan]

Lot of bull...

[jaacobbowden]

Which part do you disagree with?