I'm not sure how helpful it is but, I usually either compliment their good shots to encourage them or, say what works for me when I'm having similar problems or, both. I think the key thing is to not let your mind beat you; don't become discouraged. So, I try to help my playing partners avoid that state; easier said than done, especially with oneself.

That's the nature of golf, everyone goes through bad day(s), even the pros. It can be hard to work out problems during a round, best to spend some time on the range or putting green. When I'm having an off day the last thing I want to hear is advice from someone I'm playing with.

From another thread.

I’ve seen rakes on a couple courses so far, but that’s all - still foam inserts and no ball washers or trash cans. Most sand traps are a mess, so we all move our balls if we land in foot marks or otherwise disturbed sand.

And my regular course has become more militant about single riders as a result of the pandemic. At first they insisted on one per (riding) cart with no up charge. Then after a few months they allowed two riders, no up charge if carts available. Now it’s a $16 up charge for a single cart, NO exceptions. Last year if we had two riders and two walkers there was no up charge on the (two) carts. There is now!

We play an away course almost every week. Masks are required in pro shops and clubhouses in or near urban areas, no surprise. Away from urban areas, masks are not required in most pro shops/clubhouses, even openly discouraged at some courses ??? At one in Shelby NC one of my partners walked up to pay (wearing a mask) and the guy behind the counter with no mask started a conversation about how stupid masks are and why he won’t wear one - a new dimension in customer service...

Snow here in Wisconsin has taken away all the fun golfing....boo...so I have been practicing my putting in basement and have found that the claw grip seems to work a bit better , at least for the time being...anyone else out here us the claw and if so has it helped...I know its all confidence , but still..

I've never tried the claw grip, but if it quiets your wrists ???, I am sure it would help (me at least). The less my wrists are involved, the better I putt.

And putting is all about confidence. I've run through streaks when I didn't believe I could make putts (and didn't), and a golf buddy of mine is going through it right now - from an above average putter to five or six 3-putts in a round. I've watched him turn a 10 foot birdie try into a double bogey several times lately, hard for all of us to watch but nothing any of us can do to help.

The Shelby Dynasty lives on! ;)

About 6 years ago I was getting yips over shorter putts so I started using side saddle putting for shorter ones and it worked well so I use it for most putts now... even from off the green... with side saddle I find that my distance control is much better and I can leave a lot of long puts within that mystical 2-3' circle. For longer putts my main focus is on distance control... with side saddle you are typically pretty much on line unless you misread a swinger so distance control is the key factor to getting within the circle and every so often they just go in the hole (some days more than others it seems).

I use a conventional length putter with a conventional girth grip. My left palm is actually on top of the putter and my right hand grabs the shaft. I line up the putter lines with the intended line and my feet also point along the intended line. Usually the ball is about even with the front part of my right foot. Then I swing the club back and then forward. Very similr to the woman in the video.

For shorter putts...inside 10'... I'll focus on a few blades of grass or a spot at or near the cup and will not look at the ball. For longer putts I focus on the ball.

I have a lot of confidence in being able to get down in two from just about anywhere on the green... my bigger issue is getting on in regulation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D28Z...ature=emb_logo

Slow but fairly steady improvement. I played 95 rounds of golf, and for he first time every one of them was under 100. My tee shots have definitely improved, and my close in irons game (< 120 yards) is much more consistent. On my home course I am now shooting between mid-80s and low 90s, with an 80 as my best score for the year.

Now I am looking at getting new clubs. I am still playing "cheap" starter clubs (Calloway Strata), but am looking at going for a fitting (blow hat dough!) and seeing what the recommendation is.

I play with a guy who putts side saddle. It works well for him. He putts very quickly and doesn't grind over putts at all.

Yeah, there are a few of us out there. At our club, only me and one other guy that I know of. I heard a rumor that Bryson Dechambeau was going to put sidesaddle on the PGA Tour a few years ago and for some unknown reason the PGA discouraged him from doing so.

I'm at a private club in North Scottsdale. Heard that most courses around here had record round numbers this season. Nothing else to do but golf I guess!!

Stolen from elsewhere:

"If you think about it, the goal of golf is actually to play as little golf as possible."

I putt with a longish putter one that is just a little shorter than the old belly models. It helps me to see the line better by standing taller. Another thing that has helped is using a slight forward press to start the stroke. I doubt any of my playing partners even notices me doing it but it does help in pulling the trigger.

Played today and scored well. Shot 77 with one birdie but I made a lot of par saving putts. Warm enough to wear shorts for my final round of the year. :)

finally broke 80 on 12/21 - HNY everyone!

btw DW got me an infrared heating pad for xmas that's "cured" my sciatica - YMMV

our club had just over 100% more play than last year, and with everyone taking a single cart, the course is pretty beat up; we need the break

since I retired I got in about 4 rounds a week this year, plus league and some tournaments

Congrats, nice way to finish the year!