So tired of sitting around the house and healing, my PT guy said to go ahead and test my new knee replacement with more activity. The swelling is way down and range of motion is better every day. Anyway, I packed up my putter and went down to the practice green to kill some time and get some fresh air. I gathered up about 30 balls and just played with face-on putting based on a few videos I watched. I just turned my Scotty Cameron around and used a pencil grip with my right hand and stabilized the tip of the grip with my left using various methods. Observations:
- The putting line is much more clear to me using both eyes.
- I release the putter in follow thru much better - towards the hole - as if I was tossing a ball.
- A shorter backswing seems natural to me, but gauging distance for lag putts will take some practice using a short backswing.
- My putter is not nearly upright enough for this style. Seems a lie angle of 80 or 85 would be easier. I think 80* is the USGA limit?
- I have not played golf since Nov 10th so I was expecting to be rusty with contact and distance control - the opposite happened. I don't know if this style has a honeymoon period, but I was making a LOT of long putts and lagging very close on others. I spent some time with shorter putts and it seems very natural.
- I may build a belly putter length club with a mallet head and bend it at upright as I can and give this a try.
Of note - I am watching Bryson right now using his new style. It is obvious to me that he has a slight (maybe 10 degree) bend in the shaft, but he is holding the shaft at 90 degrees to the green. The heel of the putter is slightly elevated in relation to the toe. Interesting.