Brian Gay: Putting methods

[drewitgolf]

Sorry, I am not versed in the book.

B,

Your experience will be that much more enjoyable if you have the book and can reference what is discussed on this forum. At first, it will seem like a jigsaw puzzle, but once you start to understand where the pieces go, the puzzle turns into a beautiful picture.

Reverse Overlap: first finger(s) of the Left Hand overlap last fingers of the Right Hand.
Rolled-rotated to the left
Turned-rotated to the right
#3 zeroed out-angle between the clubshaft and Left Hand (arm) is zero or both are in line.

[O.B.Left]

B,

At first, it will seem like a jigsaw puzzle, but once you start to understand where the pieces go, the puzzle turns into a beautiful picture.

Which makes me wonder what it looks like to you, Drewit?

For some reason I see a sort of 1920's mechanical , perpetual motion machine, with a flywheel, gears, belts, levers. It doesnt hit a ball and stop but keeps on going around and around with new balls running down a chute and being tee'd up automatically. It spins at a fast pace in balance like a gyro and runs like a clockwork. The brass balls on the ends of the flywheel are planets. All in a factory setting.

Have I got the wrong puzzle? Am I insane? Who was Mike O and what have you done to him? Did he know too much?

[bgolfing]

What are the benefits of this grip versus say one advocated by Stan Utley?

[dodger]

Utley reccomends a slightly stronger left hand position. His grip encourages a slight rotation of the clubface closing. Brian Gay's stroke is technically as perfect as they come. His grip position guarantees consistent distance as the motion is caused by rocking the shoulders. I used Brian's stroke as a model the last few times I have played and my putting has been tremendous. With his stroke, all he needs to concern himself with is distance. Easy way to putt.

[Yoda]

Utley reccomends a slightly stronger left hand position. His grip encourages a slight rotation of the clubface closing. Brian Gay's stroke is technically as perfect as they come. His grip position guarantees consistent distance as the motion is caused by rocking the shoulders. I used Brian's stroke as a model the last few times I have played and my putting has been tremendous. With his stroke, all he needs to concern himself with is distance. Easy way to putt.

Totally agree on all points.

Remember, though, Brian's Shoulder Stroke allows -- in fact, produces -- a natural Clubface rotation (Angled Hinging) through Impact.

[Amen Corner]

For those interested, there is a lot of gooooood footage of Brians putting and shortgame in the clips from last years PGA Championship that can be found in the gallery.

Maestro Yoda had the batteries charged and ready during the practice round where BG made with the dane Soren Kjeldsen. A lot of goodies, folks.

I hope something similar could happen with the coming trip to Europe. Would be interesting to see and hear the changes for adapting to links golf.

[dodger]

Big misconception is that a shoulder powered stroke does not close the face. It just does not need to close as much as one with rotation ala Utley's method, which involves no shoulder rocking. Watch Gay, Baddely, and Tiger. Same basic stroke. Compare distance control with someone like Mickelson. I love the look of the Utley stroke, it just is not as effective for me.

[laangels]

Yoda, I noticed that you mentioned that Brian has no shaft lean in his putting stroke. I have also heard that Bettinardi putters can have very low lofts, is this the reason for this? My Yes! is an answer style with 2.5 degrees loft on it, do you think that is too much loft to not have a forward press? As always thank you sir, enjoy the British

[Amen Corner]

I took more photos yesterday, the day before the 2009 U.S. Open, and BG's Stroke and Address position (including Centered Head, Grip, Ball Location, Hands Location, zero Shaft Lean and slightly Open Stance) haven't changed a bit. I'd post them now, but unfortunately, I left my download gear at home. I'll put'em up next week.

For now, enjoy . . . and learn!

Have these been put up? I really would like to see this..... its snowing even more now and I have time to train some putting.

[HungryBear]

Did BG ever explain exactly how his putting stroke is configured? I have used a very similar grip for Many, many years. my stance is different because I am left eye dominant and like to keep my eye just behind the ball. So I set up just with the ball under and about 2" ahead of my left eye. Then I fold my right knee in (kind of a half Arnie) and drop right shoulder slightly ti get a vertical shaft. The only problem it can create fo me is low point is still center so I lift slightly at address, maybe 1/4 in. You may ask how I test this- well I I practice by setting up with a ball held in my lips and I drop it. it should land about 2 1/2 inside and 3 behind ball. I do this drill in my LR many time. Also I set my line with the blade in front of the ball then I lift vertical and over the ball and sole then relift behind ball. So back to grip. My hands are clamps and I rock my shoulders so, in fact I have no true pressure points. The little secret is that if anything I am pulling my hands apart. Yes, that keeps MY hand clamp assembly from wiggling off line and lets it go straight back, accelerate through the blade stay very straight. Read it right and get the distance right then clunk! Maybe BG does some of this funny stuff because putting is a very different game.