When Tom Reddy, a Dubliner and an electrician by trade, trawled the different golf stores in his search for a cure to his putting woes he was struck by the lack of simple devices that could possibly assist him. That was two years ago, and his fruitless quest got him thinking and then propelled him into actually developing his own putting aid. In fact, Reddy believes he has come up with the solution to the problems that afflict many golfers. "Putt Straight," the self-explanatory name by which the device is now known, is remarkably uncomplicated, although Reddy admits that his first concept entailed quite an elaborate device. "It looked good but ignored the basic design rule of KIS - keep it simple," he recalls.
Trial and error, however, is part and parcel of the design business and Reddy finally came up with the prototype which is now retailing (for around £9.99£10.99) in most of the top golf shops. The simplicity of the device is actually its greatest attribute. Made out of lightweight plastic with simple markings and a v-shape insert, the Putt Straight can be used either indoors or outdoors. Reddy, though, believes that it will give most benefit if used on the practice putting green where it can be anchored down by placing tees in the appropriate holes.
The original prototype was shown to a number of professionals, including Paul McGinley, who made Reddy aware of the importance of muscle memory in putting, which essentially means that only by practising the correct stroke is real improvement possible.
Reddy is marketing the putting aid as a "shot saver" and "confidence booster" but maintains that it really works. "A lot of people aren't aware of what it is that they're doing wrong on the greens. When they miss a short putt, they don't know what to do," says Reddy. "This device, with regular use, will generate the confidence and the belief that every time they stand over a 10-footer or 12-footer that they will make it."
Admittedly, someone like Billy Mayfair, who has the most unorthodox technique on the US Tour, wouldn't take to the device, but the vast majority of players - be they amateur or professionals - have, or aspire to, a putting stroke that has a pendulum effect. "The whole secret is to keep the stroke simple and encourage players to develop a sound technique and maintain a solid, constant stroke," he adds. Indeed, Reddy got a welcome boost in his efforts to promote his club when a letter from the noted television commentator Alex Hay popped through his letter box earlier this month.
Hay was handed one of the putting aids as he watched the professionals practising during the recent Smurfit European Open at The K Club. "It is not uncommon to be offered gimmicks and objects which never cease to be invented," wrote Hay. "The nice thing about yours is that it works. This may only be a temporary boost of confidence which I have been given, but until I lose the magic I shall keep using it. Thank you."
Such an unsolicited endorsement from Hay has given Reddy's confidence a boost, too. Although most of the top golf shops and many leading club professionals have started to stock the product, Reddy admits that it is tough to get a new product off the ground. "The feedback from anyone who has tried it has been positive, but there are a lot of people afraid to touch something new," he explains.
Slowly but surely, though, it seems that the Putt Straight is finding its way onto the shelves and Reddy's simple answer to the putting problems of many could well provide further credence to the old adage of Gary Player that "the more I practise the luckier I get."
