Ryan Kennedy
Coaching, Fitting & Scoring
Is Your Putter Making You Worse?
The best way to keep your putting stats on your side, is to roll the ball on the line you intend. Too often, I see players that roll a putt exactly where they've aimed and curse their stroke for missing the hole... to bad they didn't know where they were aimed!
Getting the ball started online is a multifaceted task that takes into account putter aim, putter style & putter path. The people who are struggling the most use a putter style that matches neither their eye alignment nor their path or stroke style. This forces them to manipulate the putter head to compensate for poor visual alignment and/or a path that isn't complemented by their putter style.
Putter alignment is dictated by the head shape, hosel and alignment lines on the putter head. Heads and hosels that are more square and full of lines will tend to have a left aim bias. Putters that are round and free of lines will be more right aim biased. If your tendency is to aim left, be sure you aren't using a boxy putter with a plumbers neck as this will exacerbate your problem! I always tend to aim left so I use putters with soft round shapes and a 'flow neck' connected to the heel with few to now lines. Everyone is different, so it is imperative to know your aiming tendencies.
Head shapes and hosel types can also affect your putters path! If your putter is not swinging straight at the target, you will require yourself to manipulate the club face to adjust for your path. Those putters that are square with lots of lines and hosels connected further towards the center will tend to accommodate a path that is more straight back, straight through or simply, less arc. Those heads that are round and soft and shafted towards the heel will promote more of an arc.
Please keep in mind that a path that is truly 'straight back, straight thru' will require manipulation of the hands and wrists and is not recommended. A path with an arc is based on geometry, physics and bio-mechanics and will be more simple with less manipulation.
The putter path is also dictated by your spine angle at address as a more vertical spine will accommodate a larger arc, while bending over like Michelle Wei will deliver less arc to the putter path.
Bottom line... make sure you know your tendencies so that you can ensure your putter isn't holding you back!
Check out the video for some more alignment & putting tips!
What is Coaching?
Peter J. - "I played Pelican Hill’s south course last weekend and had the best 9 holes ever. For me, shooting 41 on a tough course was great. More to the point, that I hit career shots with a blank mind. The 2nd 9 was good too but I realize how hard it is to keep your mind clear. Anyway, validation. Thanks for turning me into a golfer instead of a hitter."
Chad G. - 1 Hcp - "I see so many guys that would benefit greatly from what you teach. The more I observe, the more it seems like the missing link between those that make it and those that don't. There are a lot of guys that have great technique that can't play well. I was one of them. But even from what little I have worked with you I see how it can be, and how I can play my best golf."
Ross H. - 20 Hcp - "I sure enjoyed my putting lessons with you... I have been nicknamed by two different golfers as "One Putt!"... You have really helped me."
Hank B. - 8 Hcp - "Ryan Kennedy is one of the best, most instinctive teachers with whom I have worked. As a superintendent of schools for 27 years, I believe I have significant insight into great teaching. Ryan possesses a rare combination of technical knowledge of his craft, excellent communication skills, and an affirming yet challenging teaching style. When my wife and I joined Saticoy in 2011, I gave Ryan the mandate to construct a new swing for me, thus helping me set aside 45 years of muscle memory. He has done a remarkable job. We agree that the rest is up to me.â€
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