Make Every Putt!
You can develop a process designed to help you 1-putt or 2-putt every green!!
- by Paul L Dineen under CC BY with WPSEOPix
I have been part of a very engaged on-line discussion with the title "What is the best tip you would give to help golfers avoid three putting?" This has been on a LinkedIn group – "A Golf & Business Networking Group" – and the thread was started by Roseanna Leaton (thanks!).
There have been something like 100 responses to this initial question, and lots of good thoughts and suggestions. Nope, I am not going to reproduce all of these, but thought I would note a few things that seem to me to be critical to a golfer developing competence and confidence in his performance when he is faced with a long putt. And thanks specifically to Carey Mumford with Clear Key Golf (http://clearkeygolf.com) for his excellent thoughts on this question...
1. First of all, a little knowledge is important. It is fact that the average initial putt length on the PGA Tour, when the tour player hits the green, is 35 feet. So, us "mere mortals" can expect a longer average distance for our first putts. Also, a number of studies have shown that the optimal distance to hit a golf ball past the hole to give it an opportunity to go in is about a foot. If you hit a putt 5 feet by the hole, it has almost no chance to go in.
2. Second – have the objective to Make Every Putt, no matter the distance. This is a much more positive and focused thought than thinking to Not 3 Putt. It is also much more productive than thinking "Lag Putt." I was going to title this post "Tips to 2 Putt" but in fact even that is a negative thought.
3. Third – get the right tool in your hand – a custom fit putter that has the right weighting for good Distance Control, and one that you can consistently Aim At Your Target. If you self-fit yourself for a putter, you "could" get it right – but if not you set yourself up to make lots of compensations in your stroke.
4. Fourth – develop a consistent stroke based on sound putting fundamentals. One that works well for you, that you can reproduce.
5. Fifth – if you are really serious about being a good putter from longer distances – practice long putts (20 to at least 40 feet) and short putts (2 to 3 feet). With every one of these practice putts, intend to make the putt. Allow yourself to become confident in your ability to control distance and aim well.
6. Sixth – when you are actually playing golf, adopt a process like Carey has advocated in his writings to allow you to "let go" and to trust that you already Know – based on the competence you developed from practice – to perform well with every length of putt.
So – I guess that is more than the "one tip" to not 3 putt – but hopefully all of the pieces are there to help you become a better putter from all distances.
How About You? – please provide your comments on this suggested putting improvement process, and any additional suggestions that might help readers putt better.
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The Fit Is IT!!
Tony
