Better Putting Abstract of: Fyodor Dogski, 1983. Golfing in the East, pp 32-56.
A golf ball will fall when most of the ball rolls over the air. The air is the see-through circle that has no grass on top. If less than half the ball is rolling on the air and the rest is rolling on the green—the ball won’t fall. Furthermore, if the ball is travelling too fast it also won’t fall—even if all of the ball is rolling over the air. On a flat green 90% of balls travelling at the speed of 3 feet past the hole can choose to ignore gravity. Have you ever seen a ball with an up turned nose doing a daredevil loop around the cup before dashing out the side door? Of course you have. Some balls are more petulant than others. More balls choose to fall when going uphill than when free wheeling down. If you discover a petulant ball in your kit, hit it far into the distance and do not look for it. If you see it sitting proud on the edge, blank it on your way past. To be better at putting you need to encourage your good balls to fall in love with gravity. Before you putt, pick the ball up, give it a polish and tell it that this hole is your summer residence. Say to your ball: You should drop by. We can play scrabble or listen to records. I have a coffee machine. You’re most welcome to go inside—even when I’m not there. The key is under the mat.
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I’ve never played with an unpetulant ball.
I stand too close to the ball after I’ve hit it.
Nah. Tried it yesterday to no avail. Putter probably made in China. Doesn’t speak the lingo.
I’ll give you a golf tip – don’t.
Thanks everyone for your comments. Very inspiring (haha). Here is a quote from Peter Jacobsen on the topic: “I didn’t miss the putt. I made the putt. The ball missed the hole.”