Aimpoint Clinic

[quinner]

yea right im not falling for that one, you guys couldnt even teach me how to chip

In some cases it's not the teachers fault...some people just can't learn.

[ahudson19]

Are there any spots still available for this Saturday?

[Domo]

There is one spot, call Graham Gunn at White Sands or 6138834653.
275 USD.

[DenisO]

So I attended the Aimpoint clinic this Saturday and here's a little trip report.

It started around 8:45, basically going over the fundamentals that are part of how putts travel:

- Distance
- Angle to the straight line
- Percent of the slope
- Speed of green

We first practiced a few drills for putting on line, and putting it the correct distance. The drill for putting on line was a rope attached to two metal poles 6 inches above the ground. Making the stroke and verifying it stays on line.
The second was simply a string on the green, making 15 foot putts from both sides (uphill and downhill) where you try to have the ball stop at the string. This didn't take long but they stressed the important of this, because you mess up the speed or distance of your putt and you'll miss the putt. It was also interesting to note how much a hole essentially shrank based on how far past you hit it. (Hole is the same size if you die it in, but if you hit it a few feet past, the effective size of the hole is much smaller)

We then learned about finding the angle to the straight line, using your feet to feel where the straight line is from where you're standing. This looks funny, but basically you're rotating in a small circle feeling the difference in the pressures on your feet to find where they match, you're then pointing at your straight line. We broke into groups, picking random places on the green, finding the straight line and placing down a stick. They had a couple measuring tools which we placed by our sticks to verify where the straight line actually was. I did surprisingly well and this alone makes reading putts MUCH easier. Your feet won't lie, your eyes and angles will.

Afterwards, we began learning how to judge what the percentage of slope is. Holes are usually never on flat (0%) slopes, or very steep ones (5%+). Based off the straight line, we'd line up perpendicular to it and get a feel for what the slope was with our feet as well, or guess visually. Again, we broke into groups, guessed our percentage of slope and then verified with a measuring tool.

We learned how to measure the stimp of the greens as that was the last critical part of being able to quickly determine how much break your putt will make.

After all of that, we were given the Aimpoint charts. It consists of green calculations from stimps 8-12. The routine for finding the the break of the putt is actually done quite quickly once you're comfortable finding the straight line and guessing the percentage of slope and goes something like this:

1. Pace off distance of the putt
2. Walk to halfway point, find the straight line
3. Guess the slope percentage (this can be done walking up the green as well, unless you want to use your feet)
4. Look at Aimpoint chart to find the break in inches based on the distance, angle to straight, and percentage of slope
5. Walk back to your putt and sink it

Should take no more than 20 seconds, and by the time it is your turn you should just setup and putt.

Unfortunately I had to leave a bit early at 11:40 due to an opening tournament, but they were just going to continue practicing and given information on calculating longer putts than 20 feet (only up to 20 feet is included in the charts).

Overall, I think the course was pretty useful and anyone that has read a putt breaking the wrong way could benefit from it.
I need to practice finding the straight line and % of slope a bit more on the practice greens, and will probably begin using the system in a week or two after a number of practice sessions to see how it goes.

[XTOUR]

Great review...If they come back I'd be interested in taking the course

[goley]

Denis

Here is a tip for you to help with the percentage of slope. Get a string that is about 107 inches. Also try and find a small leveling device that can attach to the string. Mark a line on the string a 100 inches. Have the string on a nail or something that you can insert into the green right behind the hole on the 12 oclock line. Pull the string down the 6 oclock line until you reach the 100 inch line and use the level to ensure the string is level. With the remaining bit of rope have it measured off in 1 inch intervals (so 101,102 etc) let the excess string dangle until it touches the ground. So if there is 2 inches dangling until it touches the ground it is a 2% slope, 5 inches dangle and there is a 5% slope. Once you get use to seeing the slope and being able to relate it to a number you will be able to pick your chart alot easier..... and as you stated capture width is very importand and understanding that you have to be able to predict you deliver speed is the only way that you will be able to pic your "AIMPOINT"
Hope this helps fella

[Domo]

Denis

Here is a tip for you to help with the percentage of slope. Get a string that is about 107 inches. Also try and find a small leveling device that can attach to the string. Mark a line on the string a 100 inches. Have the string on a nail or something that you can insert into the green right behind the hole on the 12 oclock line. Pull the string down the 6 oclock line until you reach the 100 inch line and use the level to ensure the string is level. With the remaining bit of rope have it measured off in 1 inch intervals (so 101,102 etc) let the excess string dangle until it touches the ground. So if there is 2 inches dangling until it touches the ground it is a 2% slope, 5 inches dangle and there is a 5% slope. Once you get use to seeing the slope and being able to relate it to a number you will be able to pick your chart alot easier..... and as you stated capture width is very importand and understanding that you have to be able to predict you deliver speed is the only way that you will be able to pic your "AIMPOINT"
Hope this helps fella

Or, you get a husky 9" digital level that shows % slope for $10-15. May require a quick trip to US of A though. We used them at the clinic.

[iacas]

Or, you get a husky 9" digital level that shows % slope for $10-15. May require a quick trip to US of A though. We used them at the clinic.

They're a bit more than that. Not a lot, but a little.

We're working with someone on some Bubble Levels that do the slope % for you and have the appropriate markings to help with the angles.

You guys did great. Denis and Domenic, great to see you, you both did awesome. Thanks! Take your time and practice, and then take it to the course.

Thanks for coming!

[Mystic]

$250? My goodness. Those guys better be good