One of the most important pieces in becoming a good putter and making putts is distance control.  Using the AimPoint model, we prescribe a total distance from 6 inches to 1 foot past the hole when making your read.  The big question is, what’s the difference between speed control and distance control?  Is there a difference?

For this discussion, I will define speed control as the ability to deliver the same speed of the rolling ball to the hole edge.

I will define distance control as the ability to control the total distance the ball rolls.

They seem pretty similar don’t they?  But are they the same?  Refresh your memory about how green speed and slope direction affect the speed at which a ball rolls by reading this post on Putting Myths.

When it comes to distance, a ball rolling on a ‘fast’ green or going downhill is rolling slower than a ball on a ‘slow’ green or going uphill.  This means that if I arrive at the hole with the same speed, the distance the ball will roll past the hole if I miss will be different from an uphill putt vs a downhill putt.

If I deliver 3 revolutions per second of the ball at the lip of the hole (which will will typically give you a nice size of hole capture width) the variance between the total distance past the hole, if missed, is dramatic.  On a 4% slope, stimp 8 the downhill putt will roll 4 times farther than an uphill putt with same 3 rps at the lip delivery speed if the putt is missed.  Stimp 10 is 6 times farther for the downhill miss and stimp 12 is a whopping 9 times farther on the downhill miss.

So, you tell me.  Is it better to have speed control or distance control?

Seems obvious to me that distance control is King.

Here’s a quick little video showing you how to use AimPoint Charts to find the stimp on the green to add to my written post on the same topic.  Please note that 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock represent a position that is 90 degrees to the Zero Line or to put it another way, directly across the slope.  6 o’clock is straight up hill on the Zero Line.

Hope you enjoy it and please leave any comments or questions.

Here’s a quick little reminder on how to find the stimp.  We all know that the stimp on the putting green may be different than the stimp on the course but that shouldn’t be an argument for not trying to find it out.  You’ll need your AimPoint Charts, Breakmaster and a digital level.

Go out to the practice green and find a hole location that is on a consistent planar area of the green.  Determine the location of the 6 o’clock position at the hole using your breakmaster.  Go 5 feet away at 3 o’clock and place a tee in the ground.  Use your level and measure the slope in 1 foot increment in the direction of the slope to find the slope percentage.

Take a guess at the stimp you think it is, find the AimPoint from the chart, aim your putt at that location and hit a putt that rolls 6 feet.  If this putt goes in center cut, then you know what the stimp is.  The charts are so accurate that this is the fastest and easiest way to determine the stimp.

Be honest. If you hit it the wrong speed, try again.  If you hit it the right speed and it misses low, try a stimp number that is higher.  If you miss high, try a stimp number that is lower.  Also pay attention to starting direction to see that you are starting it on line.  Having a buddy confirm would be the best way.