I love Palmer and am among his biggest fans. Not posting this to criticize.
What has happened to our favorite Aggie's putting ability? It's just completely gone now. I know a few months ago it was talked about that he had a new putting coach (Stockton maybe?) but so far he is only still getting worse, not better.
The numbers are ugly. In strokes gained, Palmer this year is ranked 203rd. They only rank 205 players. That was before this week, where just today he had three misses from five feet.
Strokes gained putting:
2010: 23
2011: 116
2012: 18
2013: 39
2014: 35
2015: 68
2016: 117
2017: 203
The most glaring problem seems to be short putts. Here are his putting ranks inside five feet:
2010: 9
2011: 45
2012: 23
2013: 20
2014: 52
2015: 4
2016: 114
2017: 193
From 5-10 feet and from 10-15 feet, the numbers are similar. That said, he also ranks in the 190s in average putts per event made from over 20 feet. In 3 putt avoidance, which can really be affected by both your long and your short skills, he's like 194th.
So, what gives? It seems the new putting coach isn't helping. I'd ditch him quick if I were Palmer. There should be improvement by now. Meanwhile, he's hitting it as good ever. Ranks 20th on Tour in strokes gained tee to green. So that's encouraging for him I'm sure but also incredibly frustrating. If he were just having an average PGA putting season, he'd be enjoying quite a year. Instead, he's already missed seven cuts, which hasn't happened since 2012 for him.
If it were you, how long would you give a new putting coach if you weren't seeing results and you were in the midst of your best ball striking year of your career?
What has happened to our favorite Aggie's putting ability? It's just completely gone now. I know a few months ago it was talked about that he had a new putting coach (Stockton maybe?) but so far he is only still getting worse, not better.
The numbers are ugly. In strokes gained, Palmer this year is ranked 203rd. They only rank 205 players. That was before this week, where just today he had three misses from five feet.
Strokes gained putting:
2010: 23
2011: 116
2012: 18
2013: 39
2014: 35
2015: 68
2016: 117
2017: 203
The most glaring problem seems to be short putts. Here are his putting ranks inside five feet:
2010: 9
2011: 45
2012: 23
2013: 20
2014: 52
2015: 4
2016: 114
2017: 193
From 5-10 feet and from 10-15 feet, the numbers are similar. That said, he also ranks in the 190s in average putts per event made from over 20 feet. In 3 putt avoidance, which can really be affected by both your long and your short skills, he's like 194th.
So, what gives? It seems the new putting coach isn't helping. I'd ditch him quick if I were Palmer. There should be improvement by now. Meanwhile, he's hitting it as good ever. Ranks 20th on Tour in strokes gained tee to green. So that's encouraging for him I'm sure but also incredibly frustrating. If he were just having an average PGA putting season, he'd be enjoying quite a year. Instead, he's already missed seven cuts, which hasn't happened since 2012 for him.
If it were you, how long would you give a new putting coach if you weren't seeing results and you were in the midst of your best ball striking year of your career?