Putting

I'm a feel player all the way.  I like to walk the line of my putt then get behind it, pick a point and just trust it.  I don't think about the line at all once I'm over the ball.  At that point I'm thinking 100% about speed.

But I usually have 34+ putts per round too so what do I know.  I'm hitting more GIRs these days though so 34 today is probably better than 32 a year or two ago.

I read the break then set up a target.  Take a practice swing or two then putt. 

I tend to just walk up to the ball, hit it and hope for the best. Really, that sort of describes my entire game.

[soapbox]While I'm at it.  I hate that line: Never up, never in.  No *feces*.  But, it has also been my experience that putts that go past the hole on the wrong line, or too much speed, don't go in either. Dumbass.[/soapbox]

I have a nasty habit of trying to make it die right at the hole, i.e. all putts are basically lags. I tend to leave many more than I should short. That being said, I'd rather leave it short with a tap in than leave myself a 3 footer coming back.

I get the general idea of the green's slopes and mounds as I walk up to it, then read my putt from behind the ball to confirm and get the specific line.  Pick a spot on the initial aiming line, align the 2" line on my ball to that, and completely forget about line from that point on.  Set up next to the ball, take two practice strokes looking at the hole, set up over the ball.  Look at the hole, look at the ball, putt.  (Miss.)

I would rather give every first putt a chance to drop and endure the occasional 3- or 4-footer coming back than have half my putts NEVER drop because they didn't reach the hole.  At least you get to see the break when your ball rolls by the hole.

With full disclaimer that my putting memory rivals Nicklaus' (i.e. I forget how many times I miss or three-putt): do Pelz's 3-foot circle practice drill.  Get used to seeing 3-footers drop every time you stroke them.  They won't intimidate you on the course, and you won't mind running your birdie putt 3 feet by.

I get the lay of the green prior to it being my turn.  Then I get behind it and try and see the line.  Pick a spot to hit the ball based on that line.  Line my ball's aiming line to the spot.  Take a few practice strokes focusing on the spot.  And hit it without thinking about speed to the spot.  Some days I putt very well and others I don't.  I try to be aggressive with my putts and make everything.  It seems when I do that I two putt more often despite leaving the occasional 4 footer.  If I am tentative and trying to lag then I'm more likely to 3 putt.  I try to read "Putting out of your mind" a few times a season and do what he says.  Stick to my routine.