How to stop drop kicking putts?

[LeftDaddy]

I was practicing putting today and overall I did pretty well. I was mainly focused on distance control. Anyway, as I was hitting two long ones, I drop kicked them. I do that occasionally on the course too, but only once every 10 rounds or so. Any drop kicked putts are bad, though, so I guess I would love to hear from some of you ways that I can eliminate the drop kicked putt from my repertoire.

 

It seems to only happen on long putts that I’m grinding over. So maybe i just need to relax a little? Also, the Rickie Fowler “hover” move seems to work too...so maybe that’s all there is to it?

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

[dodger]

I was doing the same thing, only happened with long putts or putting off the green. I started hovering, completely took away the issue.

[CP_Circa62]

Put and keep your weight more on your heels. Balance and stability are really important in putting too.

[TheCityGame]

Reps.

 

When I practice indoors, I hit a lot of putts where I'll put down a cushion like 4 feet away from the ball. I'll hit a "100 foot" putt into the cushion. It bounces off a few inches. I rake it back and do it again. And again.

 

After about 2 or 3 thousand of those, no more drop kicks.

 

Then, whatever it is that you're doing so that you don't have any drop kicks. . .that's what works for you. And you won't even know what it is. You'll just know it works.

[juststeve]

When you set up with the club head behind the call and on the ground you encourage it to return to the ground behind the ball.Give hovering a try.

 

Steve

[MaineMariner]

I had this problem pretty badly (at least once per round) until I started working with a metronome when I practiced putting. Actually, I have the Tour Tempo app, but a metronome does the same thing. A poor, stabby tempo and tension were what did it for me. Thankfully, I haven't drop kicked a putt in a long time.

[keto]

I don't know what caused it but all my life I've done it. My cure is stand up straighter and really feel like I'm lowering my shoulders as far as I can before I touch the ground behind the ball//practice swing. Also, firm front hand/wrist and smooth takeaway with the rear/lower.

[jholz]

The key to consistent contact in any facet of the game is maintaining your posture as you swing. Hence, it makes sense that your drop-kick problem is occurring when you are hitting a long putt. The forces generated by our bodies and the club itself are constantly trying to pull us out of our postures as we swing. This is one of the key reasons why golf is so freaking hard.

 

So, on those long putts, the effort you are expending swinging the putter is pulling your body out of position. A dip of a centimeter is obviously enough to scuff the surface of the green and result in poor contact. Hovering might offer a temporary fix, but it doesn't address the root problem.

 

I would advise you work on keeping the putter swing in the shoulders, rather than using the hands and arms. Using the shoulders, it is easier to swing the club without disrupting/engaging other parts of your body causing your to pull up, down, or to one side or the other.

 

One other great tip is to pull your upper arms into your sides - literally pin your arms to your sides from shoulder to elbow.

 

Especially if you are nervous over a putt, or having to putt a long distance, pinning your upper arms to your sides helps keep the stroke in the shoulders and alleviates tension in the hands and lower arms, thus helping to maintain your posture and body position during the stroke.

[MonteScheinblum]

Too much hip rotation is very likely the issue, only because I’ve seen it dozens of times.

[jholz]

> @MonteScheinblum said:

> Too much hip rotation is very likely the issue, only because I’ve seen it dozens of times.

 

Hey Monte, is there any relation between your diagnosis here, and the advice I offered directly above - or am I full of crap?

[MonteScheinblum]

Yes there is merit to what your said.

[jholz]

> @MonteScheinblum said:

> Yes there is merit to what your said.

 

Thank you sir. Just wanted to make sure I am giving folks solid advice.

 

As I've mentioned before, your contributions have helped my game - and my understanding of the game - immensely. I really appreciate it!

[LeftDaddy]

All good stuff. Thanks everyone. Hovering seems to work but as someone mentioned may be temporary. I don’t believe that I rotate my hips (but I’m aware that I probably do). I’ll look out for that.

 

I have a tendency to dip my head down and forward in my full swing with irons / driver, so I probably do some of that with my putter. Obviously due to some imbalance somewhere.

 

I like the suggestions of weight in heels and more shoulder rotation. Thanks again, guys!

[jobin]

'Eliminate' as in never again? That would be very unlikely to happen. I suppose even the best putters can 'drop-kick' the ball, once every 10,000 putts. But you and i, once per 1000, or per 100.

Sure i do too, less often now. I don't move my eyes; i focus only on hitting the thumb-tack on the back of the ball, i rock my shoulders.

Insecurity and indecision play a BIG part of every golf shot and reducing those elements will improve every game.