Putting Update

So, I wanted to post an update on what I've done so far in terms of improving my putting. This past Saturday, I attended a clinic at Money Hill Golf Club taught by Rob Noel (a well known teacher in Louisiana and one of only 6 certified AimPoint instructors). The clinic was based on a relatively new green-reading theory called AimPoint. In a nutshell, this theory was developed a little over a year ago and has since been adopted by the PGA Tour and many of its players. If you ever watch golf on t.v. you'll notice that quite often the announcers will put up a blue line on the screen to indicate where the player needs to start the ball in order to make the putt. Well, the way they come up with that blue line is all based on this AimPoint technology and has become the most accurate concept out there when it comes to reading greens. In the two hours I was there, I have to say that I learned quite a lot. It was a lot of information, but I felt like I already had a better idea of how to read putts when I left. It's going to take some time to really learn the whole concept, but after seeing some immediate results, I'm excited about what's to come. There is a Level 2 clinic that is taught by the same guy which I hope to attend by the end of the month.

Aside from the clinic, I received a couple good pieces of advice from my dad and a family friend. My dad told me to start playing my putts to fall in the front of the cup rather than banging them in the back. So far so good....and it just so happens that the AimPoint theory is based on a slower speed as well so both of those go together nicely. It's clear to me now that when it comes to putting, speed is the most important thing. Well, that and confidence. On top of the advice from my dad, a family friend suggested I read a book called "Putt to Win" by Dave Stockton (one of the best putters in the world). I ordered the book off Amazon and just got it in the other day so I haven't read very much yet, but I'm sure only good information will come out of it.

Those three steps are what I've done up to this point and have since just practice every day as much as possible. As I mentioned earlier, I'm hoping to get back to Money Hill for the Level 2 clinic and I might also squeeze in a putter fitting as well. I think by the time I play in my next tournament I will definitely be a putter. Speaking of tournaments, after looking at my options for the winter months, I've decided to start out with a couple Adam's Tour Winter Series events in Houston. They're two-day tournaments and scheduled close together to help cut down on traveling costs. The first one starts Nov. 3 so Erika and I will be heading to Texas in a couple weeks. December and January are still up in the air and will be based on how these first few in Houston go. Florida could be an option in there, but I've got time before I have to make any decisions.

That's it for now. Hope everyone is doing well. The weather down here is absolutely perfect right now so it's making my practice sessions much more enjoyable. I'm hoping this winter won't be as cold as last year, but Erika said she heard it was going to be worse. Not what I wanted to hear....