Is Putting Improvement Rocket Science?

Putting Stroke Data + Skilled Observation = Putting Improvement!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My friend and putting mentor Glen Coombe – "The Putting Doctor" – called me this morning to talk with me about something related to the Science and Motion Sports (SAM) PuttLab.  During our discussion we talked about helping a golfer improve his putting, and he said "well, it isn't rocket science you know."  He was referring to the fact that he knows that I love data (being an engineer).  

But I got to thinking about his comment, and I think the answer to "Is It Rocket Science?" is yes and no – how is that for waffling!  Here is why I stay on both "sides of the fence" related to helping golfers improve their putting:

1.  YES – I cannot think of one instance where – having done a SAM PuttLab analysis of a putting stroke – that the golfer and I did not discover something about his stroke he did not know.  The ONLY way we would have discovered this "I did not know" information was by doing detailed measurements of the stroke with the SAM.

2.  NO – at the same time, I also cannot think of one SAM PuttLab stroke analysis where Stroke Observation was not equally important.  Taking pictures of a stroke to see how balanced the golfer is in his setup, watching him actually hit putts and seeing what his hands do, watching where the golfer lines up relative to the sweet spot on the putter, watching how the golfer's shoulders line up at address.  All of these things, and others, provide subtle hints as to what can help a golfer improve his putting.

It takes time and training to understand the large amount of data that comes from the SAM PuttLab.  But it takes an equal amount of time and training, maybe more, to learn how to watch a golfer set up and stroke putts and see small stroke improvements that can lead to greatly improved putting.

Each golfer's putting stroke is a bit of a puzzle waiting to be solved – leading to more putts made and more golfing fun!

The Fit Is IT!!

Tony