Want to know the secret to getting good at putting?
Keep this on the down-low …
It’s a simple, straightforward process:
- Find a putting putter mold that feels good. And don’t switch.
- Identify a putting style that works for you. And don’t change.
- Get well-acquainted with your practice basket. And don’t stop.
Considering the source, question the above all you like. But corner any touring golfer at a Pro Tour event near your hometown, and trust me: They’ll hit you with SOME version of the above.
Which makes wind all the more annoying …
Especially a headwind.
Even if you’re fully converted to the above process, a strong headwind can take your go-to putter and make it instantly unreliable. With even the tiniest bit of exposure, headwinds catch the underside of putters and cause them to lift when you least expect it – up, up and away.
For example, Jay “Yeti” Reading putts with Yeti Pro Aviars. And if you’re not familiar with his game, your hunch is spot-on with this one: The Yeti Pro Aviar is (literally) named after him.
And even HE admits the fade of one the Yeti Pro Aviar offers isn’t enough …
Lucas emailed him about it – here’s what he said:
“If I were to give a negative feature to the Yeti Pro, it may be that – while the puddle-top assists in tracking the disc straight – it’s prone to catch swirling wind that pushes the puddle to negative effect. I’m more of a push-putter, so the wind affects my putts more. I actually use an old-school, out-of-production Bulldog for windy putts. The Bulldog is a beefy, firm and overstable putter.”
Please don’t take this the wrong way …
You are NOT Jay Reading.
With putting putters, less is more.
Wind or no wind, if you can make a single mold work for 95% of your putting duties, your game (and UDisc stats) will be better off for it. To that end, though adjustments are still needed to account for a headwind, consider the following when choosing a workhorse putting putter:
- A fade of two is overstable enough for most windy putting work.
- The more flat, firm and low-profile the putter, the stronger it’ll perform.
- Spin-putting cuts through headwinds better than its push-putting cousin.
* Note #1: For headwinds of 20-plus mph, opt for an overstable midrange to get the job done.
* Note #2: And if that feels too funky, try putting with your putter upside-down – click here.
Of course, if you’re already in a committed relationship with a stable-to-understable putter, all is not lost. Keep a freshie of your preferred putting mold in your bag at all times for headwinds. Or, bust out that overstable throwing putter of yours for a little inside-the-circle work. The in-hand familiarity will be there, which is a plus – it’s just a different use-case.
Whatever you do, the fewer variables you have to account for, the easier things’ll be.
As I see it, one putter mold for ALL putting duties is best …
But if you choose to go the two-mold route, you’ll be in good company: Reading’s a five-time Putting World Champion. Again, he switches things up in a headwind – so it’s doable.
Find your rhythm. Then, stick with it.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
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I have found that putting on a hyzer makes for a cleaner release, meaning less wobble in a headwind. I’m not sure about all the science behind it, but I have just found that to work. Also I try to putt super slow in a headwind. It helps more to keep from wobbling. Don’t know if the pros would recommend it or not. Also, I just made the switch from the Classic Soft Warden to the KC Aviar. That helps too
Benji, did something we write convert you to KC Pro Aviars?
Even if it didn’t happen, lie to me …
I need to THINK I had something to do with it.
Oh I don’t 100% know if I would have made the switch if Calvin putted with something else but I always have wanted to putt with something harder anyway. And all that you have said about the KC Aviar just kind of pulled me in.
It’ll take some getting used to …
And again, let it hit the basket a bit – you need that “seasoned” feel for grip.
Let us know how it goes!