August 3, 1989

Tim Holman,Teaching Professional & Brian Stack

A. Custom Fit Stack-Holman Switchputter. 

B. Current structural preferences.

Tim Holman, Teaching Professional Brian Stack

1. Grip - reverse overlap

2. Stance - slightly open

3. Swing path - inside, square, inside

4. Clubface rotation - open, square, closed

5. Angle of impact - level to ascending

6. Ball placement - changes

7. Use of toe to deaden putt - no

8. Use of spin - no

C. Fundamentals Lesson #1 - Stance and Alignment

1. Stance and Alignment

a. Squared entire stance

b. Right shoulder positioned above left shoulder

c. Released right elbow from side

1. Helped square shoulders

These adjustments created a swing path that is more down the line rather than circular.

2.  Lesson #2  Reading the Green on the left to right putt.  Example: 5' left to right putt.

a. From above the ball, right-handed Roger read a four inch break. Tim placed a dime on that spot.

b.We switched Roger to left-handed and told him to aim at his mark 4" left of the hole. He missed every putt on the high side. When Roger switched from standing above the ball right-handed to standing below the ball left-handed, the putt broke approximately half as much. About 2". Tim placed a dime on that spot.

Why? The arc of the slice putt is much greater due to the outside-in swing path and the cut spin it applies to the ball. Keeping the blade square to the line, traveling down the line from a slightly inside path allows for a more direct line to the hole.

When you putt from below the ball and inside the arc of the putt, you must play less break.

This becomes a huge advantage as you move closer to the hole. When you get to the 3' left to right putt right-handed I must aim outside the hole. Any putt hit too firmly will miss the hole on the high side. When I putt the exact same putt left-handed from the low side I will aim inside the hole. The majority of putts that are putted too firmly will still go in the hole. This is why the switch putter has a greater margin of error when putting the short ones.

3. Cut spin vs the pure roll.

A ball was placed behind an old plugged hole. The left-handed pure roll holds the line much better than the cut-putt when putting over imperfections in the green. Roger was truly flabbergasted how well the left-handed hook putt rolled over imperfections in the green when compared to his weak right-handed slice putt. 

. Distance control

a. Looking at the hole during practice strokes. Eye-hand coordination. When shooting baskets or pitching pennies, the eyes focus on the target.

b. Arm and shoulder stroke. Rock the shoulders with connection. Keep the triangle solid with quiet hands. There is no hit with either hand.

c. Same size stroke back and through.

5. Visualization

a. Shooting the hole from the left side.

Next Session:

Monday, August 21, 1989 San Jose Country Club

1. Test - right-handed

a. Must visualize putting under tour pressure.

2. Test - left-handed

3. The Magic lane

4. Practice schedule