Trail Hand Putting Drill

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Training your trail hand and core to work together is the first fundamental of the GOAT swing and it starts with your putting stroke. Develop your feel here first and slowly build into chipping, wedge play, iron play and finally the driver.

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carol
Chuck, Will this be effective for someone, me, who is right handed, but play golf left landed? Thanks, Carol
September 13, 2024
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Chuck
That’s a very interesting question Carol and I don’t have a great answer for you to be honest as one of the biggest benefits of this is that most people are right, handed and playing with right handed clubs, and so learning to use their dominant hand is one of the greatest advantages of this technique the tiger uses. I would be very interested to see what happens for somebody who is not their dominant hand
September 13, 2024
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Ricky
Hey Chuck when did you make the switch from putting with your left hand low? Was it during your own GOAT code discovery? I made the switch to left hand after watching your “Putting Science Secret” series years ago. I’ve had pretty good success with it. Also surprised with how quickly I’ve picked up the trail side (right arm only). Definitely hitting it more in the center and man is that a cool feeling even with the putter. However, with the left hand back on (left hand high) I feel like a complete r***rd! Like I’ve never hit a putter before. Similar to a question below, can this be accomplished with still keeping the left hand low? Assuming that would almost be counted intuitive? When you made the switch did you have to keep the right hand lower on the grip when just working the trail hand? I have been working with right hand about the middle of the grip but when I put the left hand back on 1) I don’t know how to grip it and 2) It feels like it is way too high on the grip to where there is almost not enough room for it. I know you’ve said we could probably start with the right hand chipping if we didn’t want to change our putting but I am already feeling the benefits of the very fine motor skill adjustments with the putter that I would like to get this down. As mentioned above though I am hitting a bit of a road block with the lead hand back on as well as making the switch from left hand low. Hopefully that makes sense??
September 12, 2024
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Chuck
Hi myself and most everyone I have talked to here has had a very similar experience, which is why I created the videos in the sequence that I did. I started as I was working through this Tiger Woods program, putting with a conventional grip and at first I couldn’t hit a a right handed putt to save my life. It took me a couple days before I could start to feel like I had any control over that thing and then after a few days, I felt like I could make anything right handed only. And then I put my left hand on and felt exactly like you did and thought to myself why on earth wouldn’t I just put one handed only from here on out because I could make what felt like anything from any distance. But overtime again about 2 to 3 days for me. I started feeling the benefit of having the left hand on there to help take some of the load off the right hand so I could focus more on feel with it, but the left hand really doesn’t do much and I too felt like it was weird to find where to put it on the club at first , the secret to all of the stuff is really just time and if you read through most of the comments and all the putting videos for most people, it’s 3 to 500 reps and for some that’s more and for some it’s less but that’s kind of the sweet spot . You will find that you will start to be able to have incredible precision and control but it will just take a little bit of time to get comfortable and a little bit of tweaking to find how to put that lead hand on there but hopefully that add the lead hand video will help
September 13, 2024
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Jason
Just wanted to share my experience in case others have the same issue... I am a pretty good putter already and have a very smooth pendulum stroke with a very light grip and when I tried this, it was a disaster. Yips doesn't begin to describe what my right hand would do every so often. Sometimes 1 out of 5, sometimes 5 in a row. Tried with my eyes closed and still had the yips. I struggled until I finally started squeezing the grip a lot more than I am used to. The extra tension already activated the muscles that were firing randomly when I yipped so there was nothing else for them to do. Hope this helps someone before they give up b/c I was close.
September 12, 2024
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Chuck
Thank you so much for sharing Jason. These experiences of everyone are invaluable to everybody because we are seeing so many similar experiences. I believe it’s in the second webinar video that I talk about grip pressure. It might’ve been the first one, but I absolutely gripped that club pretty firm and talk about, the grip pressure that Tigger has used with his putter and it’s way firmer than most would believe
September 13, 2024
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Troy
I had the putting yips 20 years ago and switched to left hand low which immediately fixed it. Any concerns I should have doing these trail side release drills if I putt left hand low? Can I still continue to putt left hand low after these drills? I feel like left hand low you feel it more in your left hand.
September 12, 2024
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Chuck
The biggest thing is your learning really fine motor control that your nervous system needs to be able to control the club face with a faster moving clubs and it’s just much easier to learn with the putter and build up from there. You can still pot lead hand low, although based on the experience of most of the member so far Pretty much all of them after a little bit of time switch back to conventional once they’ve taken the time to properly learn it.
September 13, 2024
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MARK
I need to tell you a story. Me being me, of course I don't need to follow the program and attempted to implement all of the GOAT ideas into my full swing. After days of frustration, I decided to commit myself to your instruction, starting with the grip and right hand putting. This was humbling. I started to work. After 55 years of playing golf, at times fairly good, I have learned that I really didn't know how to play, and that showed up beginning with the right hand putting drill. I kept at it, for several days. 500 putts? No way, many many more than that. I kept at it. I watched your videos over and over again. Kept working at it, looking at your putting videos, and putting on my mat. Over and over again........completely frustrated. Then, I felt something.....a solid putt struck in the middle of the face on the EXACT line I intended. Epiphany. This was not easy for me, I was probably just getting in my own way. However, I committed to get this done according to your instruction to the detail. It wasn't an immediate fix, but I now knew what to do. I had to listed to my body MANY more times until I could understand what I was feeling. I would take breaks and go back to it, having to remember what I was feeling. ALL things are critical. Grip, stance, right elbow pit, the static stuff is critical. How to hinge the right hand was not easy for me to understand partly because I have NEVER hinged my wrist in that manner. Over the course of 7-8 days of doing this morning, afternoon and evening, I was able to put my left hand on the putter. Several days later, I can get to my mat and remember most things to do, but still have to concentrate on the static things and remember what the feelings are which takes a few "warm-up" putts to get everything working. I'm fine with that for now. I'm not saying I'm and expert yet, but I now see the benefit of the instruction in the manner it is presented and implemented in the correct sequence. One more thing to note. I moved into the chipping drills and began that with more frustration as if I learned nothing from the putting drill. The chipping drills were seemingly brand new and not connected to the putting drills, until several hundred strokes and many days passed until I felt something again. What I learned in that drill, made me want to go back to the putting drill and apply what I learned about my body movements. More improvements in the putting stroke. More learning there and I applied to the chipping drill. Now I see a way forward. For me, this hasn't been what I perceived as fast, but actually, in 3 weeks, I am starting to make dramatic improvements in consistency and repeatability, at least on my mat, with my putter and 56 degree wedge (I chose to work with the 56 degree first because you said it the more lofted wedges are more difficult). 3 weeks, however, is not that long compared to a diligent effort over the last 2-years to improve my game, including lessons from a TPI certified instructor. What I see now is a PROCESS of learning that works. I have not completed the chipping drills yet, I have a lot more to do, but I feel that I have confidence in the process which will most assuredly lead to a more consistent and confident game. Confidence is what I am developing....which is very key for me, both in the learning process and the results. I know this is a long comment, and what I want to say is that you are absolutely correct, you have to start with the right hand putting drill (with all the static stuff figured out and grounded) and move forward from there. I perceive this as an iterative process, when moving to the next drill, I learn new things and need to go back and apply what I learned to the previous drill, and I am okay with that. Maybe others don't need to do that, but I do it this way and it is working for me, at least through the chipping drills. I am sure that I will learn more things as I progress through bag, and when I do I will go back and apply those learnings to all the previous drills. I can't tell you how excited I am, and I am committed to follow your instruction exactly as presented. I feel so very fortunate that I found you many months ago, I just wished I would have found you earlier.
September 12, 2024
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Chuck
Mark, what a story - of a battle and perseverance! These are the moments that we all have and look back on and realize "that's what made the real difference." You'll see as you move into the pitching starting line drill that what you just learned with the putting stroke will be invaluable as you move to this challenging drill. Mastering the putting stroke, the GOAT Arm and wrist hinge is what will allow you to control the face of the driver and as the old saying goes "face is king, path is queen." Learning how to truly control the face is what will make you an unstoppable golfer to play at a level you never thought possible - and it all starts here.
September 12, 2024
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Scott
Putting Drill: From putts numbers 100 thru 490 I was daydreaming about getting to number 600 so I can send you a video with the alien still taking over my body and sending puts 50 degrees off line at the very last second. Then I could be the one who proved you wrong. Last night, Almost exactly at 500, it stopped and they started going in. This morning, it started slowly with the alien still in my body, but the last 9 putts in a row went in the middle. I am not to that place yet where I am thinking I will just put it with my right hand. . .but I think you can see it from here!
September 9, 2024
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Chuck
Hahahah! An alien! That's a new one but I totally get it. It's wildly interesting to hear so many members get to 500 and have a completely different experience. There does seem to be something magical about that number.
September 10, 2024
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Mike
I have always had feel in my hands, the only thing I had for years. First time I broke 100 I had 28 putts. With this core movement I instantly have more consistency. I am doing better one handed putting and chipping than I did two handed.

September 6, 2024
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Chuck
Stroke is looking great Mike! 28 putts breaking 100 for the first time?!!! I'm certain the first time I broke 70 I had more putts than that! Anyhow, looks good, but a little too "ridgidly connected". The body doesn't need to move that much on a short stroke - that's enough movement to hit an 80 footer. Relax a little more and start to feel the body movement as being a little more subtle and not so exaggerated.
September 6, 2024
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Jeff
What I have difficulty in doing is getting the lead side core to engage on the through stroke. I find my right side (pushing) wanting to bring the putter head through. Which is no Bueno- pushing instead of pulling. It definitely requires a lot of concentration on the core (in my case the lead side) to move correctly.
September 6, 2024
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Chuck
Hey Jeff, well, not necessarily! The pushing vs. pulling stuff is for a lead side pattern. In a trail side pattern, it's pretty much all hit with the trail side.
September 6, 2024
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Jeff
With the core moving the putter, will this result in the putter head moving on a constant arc? As you replied earlier to me in a prior comment, the ball will move up in the stance. How far up will that be from center? Also Tiger's putting stance seems fairly narrow. Thanks Chuck.
September 5, 2024
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Chuck
Yes Jeff, these questions are answered in the subsequent videos.
September 5, 2024
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Asle
In the one handed putting drill, I understand that use of the core is important. Is there also some shoulder movement involved - or is that part of the core motion? We don't use the R arm actively in the backstroke - it's moved by the core? But a little wrist motion back and thru will happen? What about the feet? Do we stand still or can there be a tiny weight shift back and thru to feel some kind of rhythm - L - R- L ?
September 4, 2024
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Chuck
Hi Asle, yes definitely the shoulder is moving too, but the muscles in the core are the primary movers of the shoulder. The arm doesn't do much, more in the hand (wrist) and core. And yes, there is a tiny weight shift involved that is the same sequence as in the full swing.
September 4, 2024
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David
And here's a video DTL. I'm hitting 4 at a time. Looks like the toe may be rotating a little bit too much on some of them, but I'd welcome your comments. I'm trying to line up the lines on these putting training balls to see if the strike is square. The carpet isn't 100% flat.

September 2, 2024
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Chuck
See my other comments, but the gist is you are pushing the arm through too long instead of hitting with the right hand and wrist and that's what's making it a little hard to control through impact.
September 3, 2024
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David
Hey Chuck...per your request on the webinar, here are a couple of videos of my one-handed practice. I'm probably about 200 putts into it. This one is from FO. I'm not sure if I'm hinging the wrist enough. But I'm getting through the tee gates like 90% of the time without touching them and essentially making the same # of putts. Also, I've got a pretty thick grip on the putter which might be getting in the way of progress. But again, I'm not sure about that.

September 2, 2024
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Chuck
As per my other comments, little more hinge and hit and the putter should stop closer to your lead foot on the follow through on these shorter putts.
September 3, 2024
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Jeff
Hey Chuck, Thanks for your reply concerning the question about the core involvement. I have tried it (before your answer) both ways. (with and without the core movement) and it is much better with the core moving. It requires a lot of concentration to move the core just that minute amount in order to move the putter. It seems to me (camera handle???) that the ball is very much forward when Tiger is putting with one hand. I couldn't tell exactly where you have your ball placement.??? Do you have a ratio of movement for forward and thru and also a tempo speed?
September 2, 2024
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Chuck
Yes, exactly, it's a very fine motor movement skill that is very small at first, but if you are getting it now, you're ahead of the curve. The ball should be up in the setup as you'll see in the later videos as you get to them. As for a ratio of movement forward, no, don't think about that at all, but the putter will stop pretty quick the more skilled you get at hitting the ball with the trail hand, you won't need much of a follow through and I don't think about tempo speed either. I just try to move athletically and quickly.
September 2, 2024
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Jeff
Hey Chuck, other than making sure that the core is totally engage, the putting stroke is totally with the right hand and not with moving the core.? Also, how much of the upper arm are you connected to your pec or trail side?
September 2, 2024
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Chuck
Hi Jeff, no the core is still involved, it's just a very subtle move that most may not notice, so I didn't emphasize it here. As for the arm, just the very upper bicep and pec are touching.
September 2, 2024
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gary
This is an amazing drill, however I would not have said that 2 days ago. 2 days ago I was fanning putts to right and yanking putts to the left from just 3-4 feet from the cup on my home putting mat. For me, that continued for I guessing well over 500 putts. I was so pissed off that I could not control the putter head is the only reason I didn't give up on this damn drill. But strangely after well over 500 putts I started sinking some, then more putts, and the stroke didn't seem nearly as hard to control. This is what I want to share with folks, once you start sinking about 80% of you one handed putts, and move to two handed putts, it is amazing how much control and accuracy you will have. And now I actually (God only knows why) like practicing with one hand. I know, a lot of words to say: don't give up on this drill it is very helpful. ????
September 2, 2024
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Chuck
Yes exactly! Can be infuriating at first! That's why the reps and time and focus are so important. You're going to be amazed at how much more confident you are over the ball now on the course now that you're developing a sense of control with that right hand. I was the same at first, I was a little shocked at how bad I was at it when I started! Now, I'll put myself up against just about anyone on the green and that's something I NEVER thought I would say. And for, I needed about 3 hours (about 500 reps) too before it really began to click. Now I do the T Drill daily.
September 2, 2024
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Scott
It is insane how the stroke changes involuntarily at the very last second to change the path of the putter. It is like an alien is in there messing with me. The first two 8 footers I hit with the drill went right in. I moved into 4 feet, and my yip alien took over! 30 minutes last night with some improvement. 15 minutes today were awful for the first 6 minutes, and I finished making all 3. I am oddly excited because I see lots of room for improvement.
September 1, 2024
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Chuck
This is one of the beautiful insights to this drill that can only be experienced to be fully understood. If you are struggling to control the putter, imagine how difficult of a time you're having controlling your irons, much less the driver with your trail hand. That's why this sequence is so valuable. In just a few hours of practice you will begin to experience true control of the clubface and it will build into every club in the bag.
September 1, 2024
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Scott
Thank you for that reinforcement, Chuck. I can work a long time in the face of no results if I am confident that I am on the right path.
September 1, 2024
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Chuck
Check out Gary's comments above - that's a very typical experience.
September 2, 2024
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Jesse
Noted that in this video, after you added the left (lead) arm it was no longer low as you used to play. Have you abandoned the left-hand low technique? if so, why?
August 30, 2024
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Chuck
I have, not that there's anything wrong with it, but I wanted to create a program that teaches anyone how to play the game exactly like Tiger, step by step, and so I'm following the exact same sequence and that's how I ended up here. His movements have always been the simplest to me, but figuring them out exactly has taken tens of thousands of hours. But, by training them slowly piece by piece you can now understand how to do it just like the GOAT.

August 30, 2024
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Jesse
Thanks Chuck for your response. I moved to the left-hand low based on your earlier post on the other GOAT "JN" who said he would switch if he were younger. Too late to switch back this season but as soon as my winter season begins I will move back to the traditional hand position...right hand low. I'm about to go to my indoor training area to try the right hand dominant style. By spring I'll own it. Thanks again for keeping your site fresh and inspiring. Jess
August 30, 2024
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Chuck
You're welcome! Thanks for putting your trust in me!
August 30, 2024
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Nick
Had to grab the putter and just try this out quickly on my living room carpet before going to sleep. Once putting the lead hand back on the club it feels very light, like its not even there. Chuck, is that the feel you have? These were just 5' putts, maybe it wouldn't be the same feeling for a 40' putt?
August 21, 2024
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Chuck
I feel the lead hand being very light as well on all putts. If I grip too tight with the lead hand I start to not release the right and so I block putts
August 22, 2024
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Nick
Very interesting, my one handed putts go straighter and more consistent with distance than when I put my lead hand back on. Thoughts on that Chuck?
August 23, 2024
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Chuck
Yep, very typical. Got two more videos coming out that will help with this for next week.
August 23, 2024
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Harold
I often putt like this, I find it more relaxing, I never knew it was a thing. Thanks
August 21, 2024
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Chuck
It's been Tiger's go-to drill forever, so you were ahead of the curve!
August 22, 2024

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