Bobby Locke / Putting Lesson From the Best of All Time! / READ ⬇️ ⬇️
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On the last day of the South African Open Dick Mayer was standing on the putting green now as a spectator, but his my putter in hand (he had failed to qualify) waiting for Bobby Locke to come to the putting green knowing that he always practiced his putting just before he was due to tee off.
Soon, he appeared and greeted me in a very gracious manner. He started putting and I asked him, "Bobby, how do you roll the ball that way"? (He was hooking every putt toward the hole). He then started holing every putt. After which, he said as he put his arm around my shoulders, "Laddie, you've put me on! I haven't been thinking about "Rolling" the ball lately, from now on I'll putt better!”
He then had me take a putting stance. Next, he had me position the ball off the toe of my left foot. "This ball position allows the ball to be struck slightly on the "upswing", he said. He then had me place my right foot approximately four inches from my left foot and withdrawn another four inches from the line of putt, explaining, "This closed stance position makes it easier to take the putter back on the inside."
He then took his hands and placed my hands on my putter making me use my regular driving overlapping grip, but with both thumbs running straight down and squarely on top of the shaft saying, "Grip it lightly, Laddie, the ART of putting lies in the tips of your fingers. You must grip it loosely to acquire a "delicate touch".
I then asked, Why do you use the regular overlapping grip rather than the "reverse" overlapping putting grip used by almost all other golfers? He explained saying, "You hit all your playing shots with a "regular" overlapping grip and you develop your best "feels" with this grip. When I get to the green and try reversing my grip to putt I feel uncomfortable and this uncomfortable feeling carries through to my regular playing and has a very bad effect on all my shots. Therefore, I grip every club the same, changing only my thumb position as I previously explained.”
"Laddie, when you get back to America, get yourself a "flat-lie" putter like mine". He went on to explain that... a "flat-lie" putter will make you stand back from the ball to such an extent that it automatically make you take the putter back on the "inside" the instant you start the putter back from the ball. Like a door opening and closing, the putter scribes the same inside arch over the ground each and every time you take it back, provided you are standing far enough away from the ball and the line of putt to establish a pivot or hinge point."
He then had me address the ball at the toe of the blade explaining "With the ball positioned at the toe of the putter, it is easier to take the putter back on the "inside" of the line of putt and helps to swing it back to the ball on an outward path to impart top spin at impact with the "sweetspot" of the blade".
He then took hold of the top of my left hand and rotated my top three fingers counterclockwise, thus, taking the putter head back from the ball in a "hooded" position.
He then clamped his hand around my left wrist and said, "Now swing the putter a few degrees to the outside and through the ball and do not flex that "Left Wrist" (flexing the left wrist turns the putter blade to the left sending the ball off line to the left) as he squeezed my left wrist harder, thus locking the wrist and making it impossible to flex, as he guided my hands through the stroke to the outside with the blade still hooded and perfectly square to the hole.
Naturally, the putt went right into the hole. He then cautioned me to be sure to hold the shoulders absolutely level on the forward stroke making sure the left shoulder did NOT rise! "Laddie", if the left shoulder is allowed to rise on the forward stroke then the hands will "open", and you will lose the "Hood", thus, sending the ball off line to the right"!
He went on to explain that he had obtained his "Hooding" technique from his idol, Walter Hagen, personally, in 1937, and mainly attributed this "Hooding" action to his exceptional putting success.
Further, he explained that most putts are missed because the putterer does not start the ball on the right line or at the right speed by allowing FAR too much break and simply aiming outside the hole or does not take his putterhead back far enough, thereby not building up sufficient potential energy in the putter head to get the ball to the hole. Sensing this lack of necessary energy, the putterer then either shoves the putter into the ball with his arms with an uncontrollable force in an effort to make up for this "sensed" lack of necessary energy necessary for the putt at hand, and thus, pushes the ball to the right, or he slaps at the ball with his hands, which in turn causes the left wrist to flex causing the putter face to close, and sending the ball to the left.
With an adequate length backswing, enough energy is accumulated into the putter head to allow for a smooth unaltered forward stroke...
Пікірлер: 130
Please read the description ⬆ABOVE⬆for more info on a putting lesson from the G.O.A.T.... If you enjoy the content here on RollYourRock, please consider subscribing and "ringing the bell" to be notified of new uploads. If you enjoyed this particular video, please consider leaving a "Like" (thumbs-up). Thanks! 🙂
I always thought from the stories that Locke made every putt that he saw. Great and rare footage of Locke.
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
Yeah, I've read those stories as well!😂 I was almost disappointed..., but considering his record, he made quite a few!🙂 Did you read the description/putting lesson above?
@ABPerlov
Жыл бұрын
@@RollYourRock Great story. I understand Locke developed his putting technique to overcome the grainy Bermuda greens. The PGA Tour banned Locke because he was just too good according to Claude Harmon.
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
@@ABPerlov Bobby Locke was a golfing phenom who hooked his way into the Hall of Fame. He hooked nearly every shot and even claimed to hook his putts. - Prior to coming to the US, Locke played Snead in 14 exhibition matches. Locke won 12 of them. Snead encouraged Locke to come to the US... - So after 8 wins in 8 months and considered one of the best, if not the best on the tour, what happened? One part jealousy and one part hate - the American Tour Players couldn’t stand him - giving him names like “Muffin Face” and “Ol Droopy Jowls.” - In 1949 Bobby Locke claimed his first Open Championship. Due to the constraints of his schedule and his Open victory, Locke canceled a couple of his PGA Tour events. - That did not go over well with the players on the tour who lobbied the PGA to do something. And they did!
@ABPerlov
Жыл бұрын
@@RollYourRock Locke won a PGA Tour tournament by 16 strokes. He is definitely one of the all time greats who is under appreciated.
He coined the phrase " drivers for show" " putting for dough"
Fascinating watching this guy putt. I'd love to see a more video of his full swing. Love the old story of US Open champion Dick Mayer approaching Locke to ask for help with his putting. After asking Bobby about his putting "method" and could he teach it to him...Bobby replied "Which one of my putting strokes do you want to learn...I have around 25 or 30 of 'em...depends upon the conditions..."
It's a fact that when Bobby Locke played in America he did so well, the other pros conspired to ban him! He once played a series of exhibitions against the great Sam Snead and dominated the matches. Locke not only was a glorious putter, he had tremendous accuracy off the tee. He was a pull hitter who hooked the ball to the target. Combined with his calm demeanor, Locke had the essentials to be an all time great player. Had he not suffered a terrible car accident, we would probably be speaking of him alongside Hogan, Jack and Tiger. As for his putting, Locke was so good he once went a whole season without three putting! Name a player on tour now that could do that. As for the slower greens, that only made it tougher. If you want to stop a tour pro slow down the greens. Slower greens are harder to read and cause a playervto put too much of a hit on a putt. Not a smooth stroke. Locke was an all time stylist. A true legend of the game.
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
Hall of Fame reply!👍 Yes, this was probably the last video of him before his accident in 1960
@trader9926
Жыл бұрын
They did the same to Moe Norman .
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
@@trader9926 How so? - Can you provide details? Cheers!🙂
@mrmagoo3072
11 ай бұрын
Definitely top 2 putters of all time
@HILLTOPGOLF
10 ай бұрын
@RollYoirRock I read the comment about Moe. Not exactly true. Btw I knew Moe personally and spent a lot of with him and around getting to know him while hitting balls together. For the record the RCGA (Royal Canadian Golf Association) rescinded his amateur status because he was selling prizes to a group of buyers. Back in the day fridges, tv’s etc were prizes during amateur tournaments. Moe would call in sick from his day job to play these events. He’d win shooting a low score resulting in his name appearing in the papers (local, regional) hence his bosses would see the articles and eventually fire him. His only means of making money was selling the prizes he’d win. During this time he was a golfer without a home because the PGA of Canada would not accept him for membership as he didn’t fit the mold. Eventually of course he did turn pro and Moe is honoured in many ways within the PGA of Canada.
Thank you for the video and the description, much appreciated
@RollYourRock
9 ай бұрын
You're welcome! I"m very happy you enjoyed the video.
Not big on acknowledging applause, Bobby. Marvellous, clear footage from so long ago. Eye opening how dreadfully slow the greens were in those days. Nowadays the fairways at Augusta are faster.
@RollYourRock
Күн бұрын
And smoother, too! - Cheers!🙂
Wonderful introduction - fascinating, thank you. Locke was only 41 or 42 when he had the devastating car crash which finished him as a top player. He played the game so beautifully and smoothly I reckon he had at least another Open in him had that not happened, possibly more to equal or even break Harry Vardon's record of 6 wins. He was a maestro, no doubt about it, it's such a shame he's largely forgotten today.
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
I couldn't agree more, except for Vardon' record... I believe he actually won six open championships
@ysgol3
Жыл бұрын
@@RollYourRock Hi, thank you for your reply...oops, of course it was six, the last one in 1914. My inexcusable mistake, which I've corrected now!🤥
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
@@ysgol3 No worries, my friend! - Totally excusable...🙂
@fairplayer7435
27 күн бұрын
Also very tragic what happened to his wife and daughter after his passing.
@ysgol3
27 күн бұрын
@@fairplayer7435 Indeed, such a sad ending,
This is proof positive that there is no one " perfect " way to stand at address when putting. The best putters roll the rock more smoothly than others and that's done by the way the face impacts the ball at contact with a slight upward motion and the ball just ahead of center. The 3 or 4 degree face putters seem to be the best at this impact position. Doesn't matter if your feet are out, in, sideways, WHATEVER, it's how your hands deliver the face at impact. Practicing one handed is the best way I can describe to get that feel of a premium face strike using your trail hand. You have to remember Locke was rolling the rock like no one else at a time when greens were not the pristine surfaces you find today, so it's obvious he could not only control the pace, but his break reading was awesome too.
@RollYourRock
8 ай бұрын
Yes. - Discounting a few fundamentals, you can just about do anything as long as it's repeatable. Interestingly enough, I like putting one handed as well. But I prefer using the lead hand. Putting with the weaker lead hand, you're forced to move the putter smoothly or you will have no chance finding the sweetspot. Putting with the lead hand really smooths out the backstroke and transition. But once again, that's just me... Cheers!🙂
@swingeasyguy
4 ай бұрын
Yes that's you...I prefer the trail hand one handed to warm up the way Tiger does...tried the lead hand and can't do it! very individual game!@@RollYourRock
@RollYourRock
4 ай бұрын
@@swingeasyguy Swing easy, guy! ❤it!
I often play at his home course observatory gc in johannesburg its an awesome course with so much history and the revere him there.
@RollYourRock
11 ай бұрын
I suspect you may have some stories you could share... would that be possible?
@fairplayer7435
27 күн бұрын
Observatory is also known as ‘Observe the trees” due to the adjacent fairways separated by high lines of green wood. It’s a magnificent place with a lively atmosphere. Sadly that part of Joburg is surrounded by deteriorating flatlands in nearby Hillbrow and Yeoville. You have to run the gauntlet to get to the course.
Thank you RollYourRock for your great videos - but remember, nostalgia is a thing of the past!
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
Reg, you're very welcome! This channel keeps me off the street when I'm not on the course... Cheers!🙂
Great video of one of the greatest putters in history. Oddly though, he didn't sink too many in this video.
@RollYourRock
11 ай бұрын
Actually Bobby made every one of those putts, but for one reason or another, a few didn't go in.
I am not a follower of the Locke School. The putting/chipping method of Paul "Little Poison" Runyan - put together by himself from a very young age - is the direct ancestor of the putting style of today. Bobby Locke did what he did - and his style is a hoot to watch - with this real active wrist action on the follow through. Billy Casper, another candidate for putting GOAT, did the same thing. A hoot to watch - so brisk and masterful. Palmer displayed the characteristic fault of this putting style, namely, troubles with long putts. Nicklaus in particular exemplfies the Runyan short way to lower scoring - get close to your work, inactive hands/wrists, placement. Nicklaus was great from every distance but I mostly remember the 6-to-10-foot par puts that you have to make to win the big ones, and Nicklaus made more of those than you can count. He had the great Runyan approach to putting, which among other things helps the golfer manage nerves. With Bobby Locke, you have extraordinary hands - same thing Casper and guys like Bob Rosburg. That same brisk manner.
@RollYourRock
Ай бұрын
Excellent comments! - Well said, Jeffrey 👍👍
If I pull putts why don’t I just accept it and setup like this guy!
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
Roy, that might be one option, but there are others...
My thoughts: Narrow, closed stance. Long wristy backswing looks very relaxed but he tensed up on downswing. Like Casper he didn't follow through; he makes an effort to stop the clubhead an inch or so past the point of impact. Doesn't hold body still -- rotates shoulders and hips left during downswing so it looks like he should have pulled every putt. Strikes short putts very firmly.
@RollYourRock
14 күн бұрын
Good/accurate observations. Well said!👍
From what i herd, that’s the most Bobby has ever missed 🤷♂️
@RollYourRock
3 ай бұрын
HaHa... yeah, those greens were pretty rough, weren't they!?
When Lock arrived in America to play in their tournament's they said he wouldn't do any good because he had a weak left -hand grip, to which he replied, "I pick the cheques up with my right".
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
From what I've read, Bobby was quite good at silencing the crowd.
@regcade6767
Жыл бұрын
His skill kept them in awe and respect of him. I had the privilege of talking to him and have watched him many times. - he's the most patient man and golfer I've ever seen - the perfect temperament for life and golf. @@RollYourRock
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
@@regcade6767 I could sense those exact personality traits from watching this video. Thanks again for sharing your experiences with the great Bobby Locke.
@davidmcnamara3243
Жыл бұрын
When he won a tournament, he would take out his ukulele, meet spectators, who were gathered in the clubhouse, and give them a song One of the original golfing gentleman : pure class!!!!
@regcade6767
Жыл бұрын
@@davidmcnamara3243 Thanks for that. I did know about it though, as I vaguely remember seeing a photo of Locke playing his ukulele with some people in a clubhouse I think - wish I could resurrect the photo!
The other pro’s called him “Old Muffin face”!
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
and for good reason!
Awesome find, I thought footage of Locke was really scarce.
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
You and me both! Did you read the instructional part in the description? Interesting as well...
@regcade6767
Жыл бұрын
@@RollYourRock Good, close-up footage of Locke putting is rare, considering he was probably the greatest putter of all time. The above are some of the best I've seen - pity he didn't hole may putts on this to live up to his reputation!
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
@@regcade6767 Reg, I would venture a guess that his "make" percentage this day had a great deal to do with some awful greens. Example: 1:48 😳
@regcade6767
Жыл бұрын
@@RollYourRock I would definitely say that his not holing as many putts as usual was due to the bad condition of the greens - I didn't want to go into that, but they were awful! Mind you when Locke took the U.S. Pro Tour by storm, winning tournaments in I think 1947, rival Lloyd Mangrum said of Locke, "that S.O.A.B. could hole 60 footers over peanut brittle"!
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
@@regcade6767 Love it!😂
Best putter of all time and they show him missing every putt 🤣🤣🤣
@RollYourRock
11 ай бұрын
He made a few, but I hear what you're saying! By the way the ball was jumping around, it looked like the greens were pretty rough. One putt for example look like it jumped sideways 2 feet from the cup! 😳
I just lack appreciation for oldschool putting strokes because of how great the greens are these days/how fast they are. I just dont think many of them would be as good as they were in todays game. I think they got away with a stroke that would be incredibly difficult to maintain consistent speed control beause of their green speed conditions etc. Whats the word... agronomy? Correct me if I'm wrong. Having a hard time remembering the term
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
You're correct that agronomy techniques/knowledge/mowers have changed a great deal since 1959! One thing I do believe is that the greats from any era would have found a way to succeed on any condition. As I'm sure you know, there are still some really fine players that have "pop" strokes in today's game. Cheers!🙂
These greens were slow and didn’t have a smooth surface. The best technique for consistent roll was putting with topspin which gave the ball the best chance of holding the line. Obviously this isn’t the preferred method on fast greens that are smooth.
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
Jerred, don't you think topspin would be preferable to backspin?
Golf’s Mystique Solved
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
I don't know about that, but this is highest quality footage of him in action.
@thegolflibrary7322
Жыл бұрын
@@RollYourRock yes All Star Golf matches and some newsreel are the best I’ve found. Golf’s Mystique Solved is the book your text is from. By Dick Mayer and Bud Timbrook. The Bobby Locke putting lesson is at the back.
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
@@thegolflibrary7322 Of course! - It didn't register at first.🥴
Looks like he was playing with Hogan.
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
In this match, Bobby was playing against George Fazio. Cheers!🙂
@1974jrod
Жыл бұрын
@@RollYourRock ok. Hard to tell, but he dresses similar to Hogan. And, he was born the same year as Hogan, Snead, and Nelson.
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
@@1974jrod yeah, everyone wanted to look like Hogan.
Burl Ives is the golf commentator?
@RollYourRock
8 ай бұрын
Paul, you're dating yourself! - I'm 97% sure the commentator is James Newton Demaret of Houston, Texas.
Wow those greens were slow!..
@RollYourRock
5 ай бұрын
...and pretty bumpy too.
What was he doing at 6:29 !
@RollYourRock
8 ай бұрын
Mis-judging the speed of the extremely slow greens.
By Locke's incredible standards on the greens this was probably a mediocre round. But, you cannot judge a man on one performance in anything let alone golf! He won four Opens and a clutch of PGA tour events competing alongside the likes of Snead, Hogan, and Byron Nelson. I can't believe some of the comments on this thread - they border on lunacy. I mean, only a lunatic would have the mind-set to make such 'banal gobshite!'
@RollYourRock
11 ай бұрын
"Reply of the Year" 🏆
There's NO WAY this guy is the best putter ever!!! NO WAY POSSIBLE. 😂
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
Many people would disagree with you...
@regcade6767
Жыл бұрын
The reason he didn't hole many putts is because the of the condition of the greens - they were awful. Nobody, not even Locke, could hope to hole many putts as usual on greens like that.
@captainbigbird9399
Жыл бұрын
@@regcade6767 I absolutely agree with you. The greens usually weren't as good back then, so they would grow the grass a little taller on the greens than they do today. The taller grass would obviously make the greens a lot slower. In my opinion, slower greens are harder to put on because you have to make a more forceful stroke. Perhaps Bobby Locke may have been the best putter ever if he could put on greens like we have today. However, I believe Jack is probably the best there ever was at putting under pressure. Maybe Bobby runs a really close second. 😃👍 What I do know for a fact, is Bobby can put a hell of a lot better than I can. 😂😂 My buddies tell me when it comes to putting, I have the hands of a blacksmith. 😂😂
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
@@captainbigbird9399 "Hands of a Sturgeon" is what I get from my buddies!🤣
The game has changed tho. I doubt the pop stroke like his would do well at today's Augusta.
@RollYourRock
9 ай бұрын
If the hands are Educated enough, it just might...
that 6 footer at 1:57 was awful 😆
@RollYourRock
8 ай бұрын
Yeah, brutally difficult greens for sure...
Slow looking greens back then
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
Yes, this is from 1959, when agronomy techniques and mowers were a bit archaic by today's standards.
Feel sorry for anyone playing those attrocious greens
@RollYourRock
8 ай бұрын
Yeah, especially at 01:44
Tiger woods is probably the best putter in his prime ever
@RollYourRock
8 ай бұрын
Difficult to argue with that... especially under the gun in major championships. Cheers!🙂
He literally only sunk two putts all round, on 3rd and 18th, and missed more than ten makable putts, hard to see here why he was such a good putter... ???
@RollYourRock
9 ай бұрын
Anthony, thanks for your thoughts...
@barbt.9211
8 ай бұрын
I saw Mickey Mantle once, he Stuck out first two at bats, he really stinks as a baseball player. LOL
@RollYourRock
8 ай бұрын
@@barbt.9211 LOVE IT! 🏆
He seems to decelerate on the strike. Like quitting at the ball. Obviously it worked for him but I always thought that was a big no no.
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
Not a deceleration, but more of a popping, limited follow-through stroke. You're right, you don't want the putterhead decelerating into impact.
@finbar481
Жыл бұрын
@@RollYourRock Ah right. I'm not sure I would want to pop the ball up on a putt though I think that would make judging the distance march harder but ive seen nicklaus, palmer do it and it worked for them. For the last year I've been striking the putt looking at the hole instead of the ball on anything under 10 foot and it's amazing! I hole a lot more putts and anything under 6ft is a tap in lol. I've got so much confidence with my putter now. I recommend anyone give it a try 👍
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
@@finbar481 You can witness this popping stroke in Billy Casper's putting, widely considered to be one of the 10 best putters of all time. I recently posted a video of Billy making a $500 eagle putt. There are several current-day examples of this kind of stroke, the best example being Brandt Snedeker, another truly great putter. Looking at the hole while putting can be beneficial, especially if you have a little hit/yip in your stroke. I hate to say that word! Jordan Spieth will do this quite often on short putts.
His putting technique looks very odd to modern eyes. And the state of the "greens”!
@RollYourRock
6 күн бұрын
Different times and conditions, for sure!
His ability as a master putter is a myth.
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
Martin, that's an interesting take that I haven't heard before. Can you provide evidence to support your statement? Cheers!🙂
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
Martin, don't leave us hanging...
@alberg6290
6 ай бұрын
did you mean legendary?------record certainly contradicts his ability being a myth.
@Pooler29
3 ай бұрын
Because Martin's blowing bubbles out his arse@@RollYourRock
Guy looks like Jackie Gleason. Gary Player claims Locke was the best putter ever. Didn't know Gary Player has never heard of Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
@RollYourRock
9 күн бұрын
Thank you for your perspective. Cheers!🙂
i dont think he was at putting!
@RollYourRock
8 ай бұрын
EVERYTHING I've ever read about Bobby Locke, says the opposite.
Doesn’t look so good to me
@RollYourRock
11 ай бұрын
Curious? - What were you specifically looking for that "didn't look so good"?
@RobCoghanable
11 ай бұрын
@@RollYourRock a usable technique
@mrmagoo3072
11 ай бұрын
@RobCoghanable, his technique is definitely usable he purposefully pulled his putts if you look at his feet at the address you'll notice the lead foot is about half an inch in front of the trail foot(closed stance) and his trail elbow is tucked into his torso, it allowed for quite a mechanical repeatable stroke I use it all the time.
@RollYourRock
9 ай бұрын
@@mrmagoo3072 thank you for the feedback, Mr. Magoo!
crappy greens
So that was supposed to be THE great putter. What a load of bull. It’s a poor wristy stroke that would crumble under real pressure against the world’s best. Jack and Tiger were far better putters than Locke.
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
I see you're a history buff… you may want to check history on Mr. Locke. - You'll find that his competitors were the ones most likely to crumble... Cheers!🙂
@regcade6767
Жыл бұрын
Because it's a wristy action doesn't mean it's poor - it's what works that matters, and Locke's putting stroke worked wonders - FOR HIM. Bobby Jones and Billy Casper had wristy strokes and both were great putters - it's all about confidence.
@donweaver6818
Жыл бұрын
Jimmy Demeret, "These greens are tricky". Did you miss that part? Didn't miss many greens either.
@RollYourRock
Жыл бұрын
@@donweaver6818 1:03 😂
@regcade6767
Жыл бұрын
The greens he's putting on are in terrible condition - so bad it's like putting on peanut brittle!