Most golfers who struggle with putting fall into the trap of trying to be perfect – almost robotically. That instinct makes sense. When we want to master a finesse movement, it’s natural to want as few moving parts as possible.
We’ve all seen well explorers demonstrate strokes with robots, and the well industry now offers remarkable technology to measure everything from face angle to ball roll. But despite all this innovation, overall putting performance hasn’t improved nearly as much as you might expect.
Why?
The answer is simple: with all the data and measurements available, golfers have become less athletic and less fluid. Too many putters are focused on controlling every position in their stroke rather than relying on athletic movements. The solution is to embrace fluidity – to develop confidence and a more athletic approach to putting.
For this I like to borrow some properties of the hardwood.
How basketball can help you with putting
Growing up, and during my college years, I played a lot of organized and pick-up basketball. Now at Duke University, I am fortunate to be part of one of the most successful college basketball programs in history. After countless hours of playing basketball and rolling putts, I have noticed clear similarities between the two skills. Targeting is central to both.
Once you determine your target and understand the distance, you are free to simply shoot the basketball or roll the putt.
When throwing a putt (and shooting a free throw) you should go through this checklist:
- Set a goal. It could be something right in front of your ball that you want to roll over, or something in the mid-range. The most important thing is that you have something to strive for.
- Be fluid during your pre-putt routine. Similar to a free throw routine that basketball players go through, your putting routine should have the same flow, timing and rhythm every time. Once you’ve established your target, step into the putt with the same consistent rhythm. Place the putter behind the ball, align the face and then position your body. Use your eyes to confirm the target.
- Let it go and trust your stroke. Don’t stand over the ball and think about it too much. Just act like an athlete and trust your instincts.
After you hit the ball, your work is not done. Instead of just looking at the ball, walking up to it and marking it (or taking it out of the hole), ask yourself three questions:
- Did I read the green correctly?
- Did I start the ball on the intended line?
- Did I hit the putt at the right speed?
When you shift your focus from mechanics to goals and feedback, moves become more natural. Do this and I think you’ll find yourself becoming a putter.
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