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.

UPDATES

	•	MIKE BATY SHOOTS A RECORD 62 WITH ONLY 22 PUTTS TO WIN THE SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY TITLE ONE MONTH AFTER CLAIMING THE STOCKTON CITY CHAMPIONSHIP THEN TURNS PROFESSIONAL IN MAY OF 1999

	•	FROM

MICHAEL GIBSON

"I have been doing Monday qualifiers for the last few years on the Buy.com Tour and my putting failed me every time.  About three months ago I picked up the sidesaddle method and I just shot a record low round on my home course.  61 with 21 putts.  Thank you.  Are you looking to sponcer anyone?  I would love to be that person."

	•	RANDY HAUGE WON THE SAN FRANCISCO CHAMPIONSHIP PUTTING IN THE  UNIQUE SIDESADDLE FASHION

	•	CRAIG REASONER CAUSES STIR WHILE WINNING THE MID-AMATEUR IN ROCK SPRINGS WYOMING WITH A FACE THE HOLE PUTTING TECHNIQUE

	•	SIDEWACKER, BILL HOBBIS, A MEMBER OF ROYAL COLWOOD IN VICTORIA. BC. CANADA, IS THE CLUB CHAMPION, SENIOR CHAMPION AND JUST WON THE WORLD SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP IN NEW ZEALAND.

	•	SAM SNEAD WINS PGA BY 16 STROKES PUTTING SIDESADDLE

	•	BLIND GOLFER QUICKLY SHAVES 5 STROKES OFF HANDICAP WITH HOMEMADE SIDESADDLE PUTTER

	•	PRO TEACHES SIDESADDLE TO ALL STUDENTS AFTER VISITING THIS SITE

	•	NEW BEGINNING FOR GOLFER WHO WAS TOLD HIS "FACE THE HOLE" STYLE WAS NOT LEGAL 2O YEARS AGO

	•	ENTIRE 4 MAN TEAM PUTTS SIDESADDLE TO WIN SCRAMBLE BY 5 STROKES

	•	5 SIDESADDLERS MAKE FLORIDA FINALS IN DAVE PELZ/ESPN WORLD PUTTING CHAMPIONSHIPS

	•	TEAM USES FIRST-TIME SIDESADDLERS PUTT ON ALL 18 HOLES IN 4 MAN COMPANY SCRAMBLE.