Are 'Hook Putts' Really Easier to Make? (Video)

This GC video from Billy Kratzert and Notah Begay III attempts to explain the technological know-how in the back of the notion that gamers make more putts that curve round them than putts that curve faraway from them. It's kind of five.5 mins long. However, I'm not certain it's absolutely a hit. Take a glance:

For lots of you, that circle with the percentages is perplexing. Let me try to assist. If you believe a flat inexperienced with an axis that runs via the nine and three o'clock positions, the 12 o'clock position is the high side and the 6 o'clock role is the low facet.

Remember, they're speakme about righthanders here. For a leftie on the same slope (12 o'clock high), the chances would be flipped. In other words, for a leftie, the 1 o'clock and eleven o'clock chances might turn, the 2 and 10 percentages, and so forth. But I'll just use the circle as you notice it inside the video and speak it as a rightie.

If you examine the circle, you may see an interesting contradiction. Regardless of which manner the putt curves, the putts at once on either side of the hollow (between 2 and three o'clock and among 10 and 8 o'clock) are almost equally hard to make. Conversely, the second one-simplest putt is the one from 12 o'clock, the only going instantly downhill:

1. 48.2% is at 5 o'clock
2. 47.1% is at 12 o'clock
3. 46.2% is at 7 o'clock
4. 40.9% is at 4 o'clock
5. 40.1% is at 6 o'clock

All of the putts between 4 and 7 o'clock are high-percentage shots, better than 40%. So it would appear that not all slice putts are so hard to make. Take some time to study that circle and I think you'll find that some of the slice putts are pretty high-percentage.

It appears to me that Notah has a more helpful tip in the ultimate minute or so of the video. He says the hassle seems to be greater approximately the toe of the putter being raised too high at the slice putts. (Hey, we all recognise that some properly gamers routinely putt with the toe in the air. We'll forget about that for now.) The key, based totally on what Notah says, is to ensure the sole of the putter rests flat towards the slope of the green.

And sure, I understand that Notah misses the slice putt he attempts around the 4:45 mark... However in case you look carefully, you'll additionally see that he has the toe raised. That's the very aspect he says you shouldn't do!

So what do I suppose you should learn from this video?

• Slice putts aren't necessarily harder to make than hook putts. Rather, the straighter the putt is -- and the more uphill it is, regardless of whether it's a slice or a hook putt -- the easier that putt will be to make. (Duh!)
• If you want to make a higher percentage of slice putts, make sure you sole the putter on the green the same way for all putts.

Simple ideas, but putting well is usually about simple things. Remember that.