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Recent PuttingZone Testimonial

Jaacob Bowden, Long-Drive Champion and Swing Man Golf teacher

Even though putting takes up half of the strokes on a par round, normally I don't practice it very much because it's always been one of my strongest points. I worked at a miniature golf course as a kid and I even shot 58 under par in a professional miniature golf tournament. My on-course putting stats are actually good enough to fall in the PGA Tour rankings (Putts Per Green in Regulation, Putts Per Round, 3-Putt Avoidance, etc).

So I figured it would do me better to spend my available practice time on the weaker areas of my game. I guess maybe I also wasn't really sure how to improve my putting because when I'd get tested on the putting software at our course I was always in the "green light" area of the tests.

However, for some reason or another, over the last several years I kept coming across this guy on the internet named Geoff Mangum. Geoff has spent the last 20 or so years researching almost everything possible relating to putting instruction dating back to the earliest publications back in the late 1800's. As I perused through his material, it was very clear that he was very well researched and thought out in regard to what he said and advocated.

I felt intrigued by him and I learned that he was putting on a several hour putting clinic in my area, so I contacted him and decided to attend. The first hour and a half or so was indoors in a conference room. As he was explaining his theories, he demonstrated 5-6 putts on the carpet. There was a wall at the end of the room that I'm guessing was about 50 feet away and he told us that he was going to stop the putt right at the edge of the wall. He putted and sure enough it stopped right at the wall. Pretty impressive, eh? It got our attention, but we figured anyone can get lucky and do that. However, as he putted the remainder of the balls, they all stopped within an inch or so of the edge of the wall. Everyone in the room started looking around at each other wondering if what we were seeing was really happening.

But indoor carpet is one thing...how about outside? Part of what he demonstrated in the latter half of the clinic out on the real putting green was lag-putting several balls all the way across the putting green. I think the green we were on was about 25-30 yards long and sure enough...he stopped each one of his putts within what looked like a foot or so of the fringe. It was really amazing. I had never seen such touch from an amateur or professional.

The really cool thing about this is that Geoff actually knows how to teach distance control. Most people think it's something a person is born with or can only learn after hitting tons of putts. However, I now know that to not be true after witnessing what he did with myself and golfers of all different levels at that clinic. He was getting beginners to even putt like professionals.

I definitely recommend going to one of his clinics if he happens to be in your area.

Jaacob Bowden

Swing Man Golf Newsletter
Zurich Switzerland Oct. 2009

-- Bob Montello
Next Level Golf School

Hi Geoff Just had to email you to say thanks very much for writing your "Putting Manual" and making it available to the whole world! After reading your manual I have improved from an average of 39 putts a round to 33 in just three weeks, my confidence on long putts has grown enormously, and I now look forward to long putts rather than stepping up to the putt with trepidation. This is with the same amount of time spent practicing -- about one-half hour putting once a week. Keep up the good work. Thank you, Best regards

-- Nick Simpson Managing Director Excalibur Group Of Companies 1 Nobel Square Burnt Mills Industrial Estate Basildon Essex SS13 1LS United Kingdom

Geez, Geoff...your Greenkeeping section is damn good. I'll forward it to our Web guru, Frank Andorka, for a review and plug. Best...

-- Pat Jones
Publisher/Editorial Director
Golfdom Magazine

Wow! Your long answer scared me.

-- Alan

Thanks for another great answer Geoff. Boy, you sure know your physics and biology! I wouldn't be surprised if you were among the top 10 most knowledgeable people in the U.S., with regards to putting. Speaking of great websites, yours isn't too shoddy either!

-- Brendan

Dear Geoff,

I just wanted to drop you a note and introduce myself to you. I am Dr. Robert Winters of Orlando, Florida and I am pleased to visit and read your fine website. I am the Resident Sport Psychologist for the David Leadbetter World Teaching Headquarters here in Orlando and as I think you know, have been the NBC Mental Game consultant since 1995. (affilitated with NBC.golf.com of which you have printed articles as well). I have enjoyed reading your articles and going through your website. I particularly want to thank you personally for being so thorough with your book and audio reviews. I just wanted to let you know as someone who has spent 28 years in every bit of putting research that your efforts are to be congratulated and that I believe you are doing a very nice job. I look forward to the day that you and I will meet and discuss some of the newest information that we are developing in the science and art of putting. I wish you a wonderful holiday season. Yours in great golf and friendship,

-- Dr. Robert K. Winters

We've chatted before and I just wanted to say hello, but more importantly to tell you that every time I drop by your website, I'm amazed by the wonderful information and resources that you provide. It's a fascinating and incredible website!

-- Larry Stanley
OnePuttLarry@aol.com www.ThePuttingEdge.com

I would like to thank you for you rapid response to my question. The information will really help me with my project. Its great that someone like you is available to help people with these projects.

-- Marc Fillmore
Wabasha MN, 8th grade

Just a quickie to say what a great site the Putting Zone is!

-- David Bargna

Thanks for a fine site. As an MIT educated civil engineer I am always impressed with your discussions. Thanks for the fine work and let us know when we can look for the book.. Best of luck. Happy Mardi Gras

-- David P. Sauls

Your website is very comprehensive and informative. Also many thanks for linking my websites through your page and the subscription to the greenkeeper-info newsletter. best regards

-- Andreas Heising Pulheim/ Cologne Germany
grenkeeper-info.net

Nice site.

-- Al Turgeon, Penn State Turfgrass Science Center

Our readers love your putting articles. Thanks.

-- Cindi Czaja
Instruction Editor
Golf.com

I was web surfing today and came across your terrific putting zone site. I want to thank you for hosting such a terrific website --- which I immediately forwarded to my best buddies.

-- Jeff Sachs
Denver CO

I must say that your site is quite impressive.

-- Carrie
Dandy Golf

I'm interested in receiving all your free stuff files. Great web site!

-- William J. Gothard, Commander
USASOC Science and Technology Systems
Ft. Bragg NC

You have so many things on your site, that I just got to your personal putting aids. I admit, I had thought of a few like using textbooks for putting rails, but the sheer volume and helpful items you have put together is a stroke of genius. Congratulations. Clearly, I think your site is of tremendous value, and wish to share with others.

-- Jeff Jennings, Spartanburg SC

I very much enjoyed visiting your site.

-- Michael J. Cohen, M.D., President, InsideRight.com

Thanks for coming and sharing your knowledge and your time. I learned a lot.

-- Steve Conley, Head Coach, Methodist College Golf Team

Please send us your research database. Thanks.

-- Ed Brown
Karsten Manufacturing
Ping Putters
Engineering Dept.

[on "reading grain"] ...
Geoff, absolutely the best explanation I've ever seen! Maybe some TV commentators will read your explanation and LEARN something. Thank you for sharing.

-- 3putt

Thank you for appearing on Golfing Alabama this week. I thought the topic was interesting and different [putter fitting]. I have bookmarked the site and I plan to visit often.

-- "SPUD"
Mark H. Friedman
host: Golfing Alabama
WJOX 690 AM
Birmingham, Alabama

Hi! I don't golf yet and you have a killer website. Just poking around with a buddy over a brew and I wanted to salute your emphasis on using the brain. Your philosophy and coaching acumen strike a vibrant and resonant chord with me because I teach guitar repair and I believe in confronting the students to check in with themselves and engage rigorously with the most potent tool they have carried around with themselves 24/7. So who knows I may just try the art of golfing at some point in the not too distant future. And yes two heads are always better than one so thanks for your most valuable and deep insights into the awesome power of GREY MATTER.

-- Miles Jones, FRET WORKS
1-888-FRETWORKS

Keep up the good work on the website... Love it, it's on my favorites... Thanks.

-- Tommy

Geoff, I downloaded the "book" last nite, began to read it, study it, underline and putted between readings. I hope that I'll have the opportunity today to putt at Stoney Creek.Thanks, Geoff, stay in touch and email/call with updates and other ideas/thoughts/writings on the putting concept...I'm a BELIEVER! Cordially,

-- Bill William C. Sutton, Principal
Sutton Consulting

You certainly know your stuff!

-- Dr. Robert Christina
Dean, School of Health & Human Performance
UNCG
PGA National Lecturer

-- Douglas Fried

Great site! Very useful.

-- Mike Sitterville

Great site. I've only started to go thru it, and I can see it's going to be very helpful.

-- Don Ralph, Dayton TN

Wow, what a website. I came across it while visiting Pelz's forum looking for more insight into the art of putting. I've started using some of your tips - love the "Report Card" game, I try to use that every week.

-- Ed Lim

I have been following your tips for a while, and I think they're helping me. You are a brilliant technical writer. . . Keep up the good work, I will keep spreading the word about your work.

-- Jamie

Thank you very much for your reply. That was very nice of you to provide so much information.

-- Kim

Thanks so much for the help. Your website is such an interesting place to visit. Great job!

-- Jerry

I find your putting stuff great info, please email all that you can on this page. Thanks

-- Mike

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I did take some of your recommendations on line and bought the book Lights Out Putting. Half way through and it is great.

-- Pat Riddle, Sports Show Host
Portland OR

Dear Geoff, Thankyou for all the information you provided me with regard to putting and the yips. It was a great help. The thesis identified some interesting concepts which has me considerering doing a masters and/or PHD in that area.  Your web site and newsletter are looking fantastic, you've done a great job. I'll look forward to seeing more of your work.

-- David Barker, Australia

Hi Geoff, Just wanted to say thanks for the great info. I just happened to come across your information on a website called IndyGolf. I was trying to learn more about the plumb-bob method. After reading your take I followed on to your putting section and feel I have come away with some great information that I was unsuccessful in obtaining elsewhere on the net. Your style of writing is very easy to follow and more comprehensive than most. My experience is that most others fall short of a complete explanation. The great news is that this led me to your Puttingzone website and I can't wait to explore the information. Thanks again,

-- Chris Sullivan Huntington Beach, CA

Dear Geoff: I read with great interest your research directory and would ask you kindly to email the full research information database, if possible. This is great stuff and information every golfer should have. Good work. All the very best,

-- Dean Sparkman

Hi Geoff Last week I had a chance to try your zero break concept. On #8 on MacCormick Ranch in Scottsdale, I had a 40 footer, on a green sloped somewhat greater than 3%. I used the basics you recommended, and left it 2" from the cup! I never would have played so much break before. I declared to my partners in advance what I was attempting to do and then, I did it!! Thanks for the great tip. Regards

-- Aarno Hassell
Paradise Valley, AZ

I read your piece on the core putt at Golf.com several weeks ago. This is the best golf instruction that I have ever seen. I won't bore you with details but I will say that I have gone from being mediocre (lots of 3 putts, few one putts) to great almost overnight. Your advice took the "hit and hope" out of my game and replaced it with a lovely, unforced stroke. The slow tempo you gave me in my putting has magically shown up in my chipping and short pitches. My index has dropped from 11.1 to 9.5 and it is going lower. My last two rounds have been 76 (personal course record) and 79 AND I didn't really hit the ball very well. Thank you!

-- Bill Creech

I downloaded your putting tip "THE CORE PUTT" and was very pleased with the information. I tried the theory out and it sure helped my putting game today. I had been pulling even short putts to the left and I also think that I had the YIPS! Today, I putted much better than I did friday. I lean more towards the theory of things and have been thoroghly engrossed in your web pages. I find them facinating and they are the most extensive I have ever seen anywhere bar none. Please accept my congratulations and thanks for doing this important item for the good of the golf game. You are truly dedicated. Thanks again.. I'll correspond with you again as things improve. Also, thanks for sending the E-mail downloads I requested earlier. I have read some of your information and am very impressed. The info is the best I have seen, bar-none. I wanted to to tell you how much I appreciated your fast response. The information you have put together is nothing short tremendous. You have obviously put a lot of sweat and your heart into this project and it shows. I am still wading through the bibliography and am amazed at the info in it. Keep up the great work. Cheers and good putting!!!

-- Jim Eno

You've got a great site. I think it fills a huge gap of accessible information on the HOW-TO of putting.

-- John Waine Inner Game Coach, www.spacegolfer.com

Hi Geoff! Thank you for a wonderful homepage loaded with great info! I glean much there ... Thank you for your prompt response to my request for help with my pulls. I have tried some of the advice...the one time Ive been out since I wrote and am seeing some improvement. I really appreciate your taking the time to get back to me. I will tell others of your site. Thank you for a wonderful website loaded with great info!

-- Gil Mann, Minneapolis

You've done an excellent job and the PuttingZone is now one of my favorites. I like the way that you have addressed putting from all aspects, feel, science, as well as a great appreciation for the masters of putting. I have approached using the driver much in the same way. I will include your website in my daily purview of the Internet and hopefully will have something beneficial to add to your forum area.

-- Dennis Le Fave, Georgia

Keep up the good work, Geoff. Your dedication and love of the game are obvious and infectious.

-- Jamie Blow

Hello! Just found your page. Interesting stuff.

-- Al

Great site! Very useful.

-- Mike

Your Newsletter sure has a lot in it!

-- Esther, Singapore National CC

You are the best!

-- Guy Fogel

Fascinating.

-- John Schag
Publisher, The Tobacco Times
http://www.tobaccotimes.com
The South's Cigar and Pipe Newspaper