Q: I used to be a confident putter but am now alarmed to find that I have developed twitching whilst putting. It has severely knocked my confidence. I switched to a belly putter which helped for a while but can you recommend a longterm solution?

Robin Smith

Hi Robin,

This is a horrible problem and I sympathise, as I too have suffered with this problem. In fact for a spell I putted with my eyes shut!

My take on the twitch is that it usually starts as a technical error in set up or stroke. We then mis-strike / hit the putt and in no time at all the gremlins running around our heads are in full voice "You can't do this!"

This then creates tension at the moment of putting, which leads to an involuntary flick of the hands.

Former Ryder Cup captain and twice Masters Champion, Bernard Langer, suffered with this and overcame it, more than once.

1. Change your grip on the putter
So for instance if you have conventional grip, try cross handed or the claw. So before you reach for the long or belly putter, consider these alternatives.

This throws the mind a swerve ball, in terms of changing the feel which in turn confuses the gremlins You can now focus on rolling the ball with a calm mind.

THE CLAW
Take your normal left-hand grip but change the angle of your right hand so that your fingers point to the target.

CROSS-HANDED
Try placing your left hand below the right to lose the disruptive sensation - your hands should still work as a unit.

PAINT BRUSH
This is good if your right palm is the source of the trouble. Your left hand stabilises the head as your right offers feel.

2. Change your putter
This is not a case of a bad workman blaming his tools. Inadvertently, we get into a mind-set that tells us we are failing with this implement, so a new shape of putter comes with no baggage.

3. Change your beliefs
Visualise a great putter, for example Luke Donald and adopt his mannerisms. He really focuses on holing the putt and has no perception of missing!

Barney Puttick