Profound thoughts on better putting

The following comment came from Adam. I like what he has to say. A lot. It’s a simple strategy alright but I reckon it will give you profound results if you’re able to implement.

Putting is the easiest part of the game. I have a girl at my golf course who takes millions of practice strokes and hits the putt way off line each time. She’s a very slow player and we have someone who keeps saying to her, “keep your posture and keep your left wrist flat” or “take it back slowly” when the real way to hit a putt is to hit the flipping ball somewhere near the hole. It was never about posture or wrist angles.

If we could all have the attitude of “hit the flipping ball somewhere near the hole” we’d all become better putters. Rarely does,

– taking extra time
– having more practice strokes
– thinking about the line
– changing putters
– trying to take the putter back smoothly
– or attempting to (insert magic tip here)

work that well. We can spend years in the golfing doldrums trying to putt better when one day we realise that it really is a simple skill. All the best putters I know keep this part of the game uncomplicated. They putt the ball towards the hole. Sometimes the putt goes in and if it misses they tap it in. They don’t three-putt that often and when they’re on they’re really on. I agree with Adam, it’s the easiest part of the game.

If your putting isn’t going that well for you then you MUST ask yourself the question,

“Am I making putting harder than it needs to be?”

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9 Comments

  • adam

    Reply Reply June 9, 2013

    I was in a junior tournament today and won. I used all of your thoughts and methods cameron and they have done perfectly for me. Shot a 48 for 9 holes. Not a big deal but last time i had played i shot a 56. I can expect to get better over time as i go along with your ideas. This was my seventh time on the course so i have a looong way to go but i will enjoy every minute of it because i know in the long run it will be worth it.

  • Scott Barrow

    Reply Reply June 9, 2013

    Adam, that’s great that you’ve got some good results and that Cam’s coaching has helped you.

    A couple of challenges:

    – “I can expect to get better over time as i go along with your ideas.” No you can’t. This is dangerous thinking. You can aspire to get better, but “expecting” leads to either relief (not deep satisfaction) if you make your goal, and disappointment if you don’t. Question: What ways can you come up with, where you could you invest time and effort into your game without a guarantee of outcome/achievement?

    – “i know in the long run it will be worth it.” In the long run it might not be worth it. You don’t know for certain. Enjoy your golf now. As Cam says, play the game with intent, accept the outcome, keep practicing and things USUALLY improve/ lead to satisfaction. But if it’s not worth it now? It won’t be worth it when you “get there”. I guarantee that.

    – Would you have been so happy with Cam’s ideas and thoughts if you had shot say, 62 for 9? When you can absolutely and sincerely answer yes to this question, you’ll know you’ll be close experiencing the “Remarkable Golf” Cam talks about, and that may or may not involve a good score. However the moment you completely let go of the need to score well, but still have intent? That when you’ll start to play in a way you’ll never forget. Scor will be part of it but not all of it.

    Cheers Adam, never stop learning.

    • Cameron

      Reply Reply June 10, 2013

      Great stuff Scotland. I really like the stuff on,

      Expectations.

      What ways can you come up with, where you could you invest time and effort into your game without a guarantee of outcome/achievement?

      But if it’s not worth it now? It won’t be worth it when you “get there”. I guarantee that.

      Would you have been so happy with Cam’s ideas and thoughts if you had shot say, 62 for 9? When you can absolutely and sincerely answer yes to this question, you’ll know you’ll be close experiencing the “Remarkable Golf” Cam talks about, and that may or may not involve a good score. However the moment you completely let go of the need to score well, but still have intent? That when you’ll start to play in a way you’ll never forget.

  • adam

    Reply Reply June 9, 2013

    Golf is a skill. Ive gotten better over three years without professional help. Challenges will apear as my learning continues. i learned to play piano on my own as well as many other things such as guitar and writing. Golf just takes longer since im not always doing it. i will learn over time no matter my thoughts.

  • adam

    Reply Reply June 9, 2013

    I thank you for your words. Though id like to learn on my own. I took camerons advice to get myself on track but otherwise i would like to not worry about improving and just golf. Some people havent broke 90 or 100 yet enjoy the game. even if i dont break 80 i will still be happy with golf because its the best game to ever exist. Moe norman said once the man who wins is the man who thinks he can. goes for everything in life. Once again thank you for your words but just remember that golf was never meant to be about instruction. It was always a game played by the rich to get stress off thier backs. I dont want to learn i just want to relax and enjoy my round. I will get better the longer i play just as i did with piano and writing. And i will continue to get better.

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