"It's Not How... But How Many!"

By the Chairman of the Board

_Sam Snead

You probably can't duplicate the famous fluid swing that Sam possesses, but at least you can match... or even exceed... the natural pendulum putting stroke he chose  to compliment it.

Golf Magazine

February, 1997

BUDDY BERNHARDT: SIDE-SADDLE

"A key to good putting is square putterface alignment," says Indiana amateur Buddy Bernhardt, "and I aim better when I face the hole directly, much like a bowler faces all 10 pins."

"Looking at the hole with both eyes from address to finish alllows me to judge distance better. My side-saddle stroke is controlled by my right arm, so it feels more natural and allows me to swing the putter easily straight back, then staight through."

Buddy Bernhardt was the Indiana Putting Champion in 1997 and 1998 in the Dave Pelz / Compaq World Putting Championship.

DAVE PELZ'S ANALYSIS:

Bernhardt's set-up allows him to see with "binocular vision," the way you're used to seeing everything else, so it sharpens his depth perception. I'm sure he also finds it easy to keep his putter on line using his "vertical-stroke" motion.